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Ramsey Files Counterclaim: Wants 30 Horses In Ward’s Care To Stop Incurring Expenses

Owner Ken Ramsey fired back at trainer Wesley Ward in court on Thursday, reports bloodhorse.com, filing a response to the trainer's Aug. 3 motion for summary judgement alleging payments from the Ramseys have stopped.

Trainer Mike Maker also filed a similar motion in Kentucky civil court against the Ramseys in July. The Ramseys were sued earlier this year by both trainers for allegedly failing to pay board and training bills. Ken Ramsey told media and the trainers at the time the lawsuits became public that he intended to catch up on the nearly $2 million he owed Ward and Maker.

Ward's motion for summary judgement, filed in Jessamine Circuit Court on Aug. 3, states that the couple agreed to make minimum monthly payments of $100,000 until the total overdue balance of $974,790.40 was satisfied. Ward alleges he received his May payment of $100,000 as well as miscellaneous amounts from purses and claims, but after that the payments stopped. He also alleges that the couple did not pay all the amounts owed to him from purses and claims.

Ramsey's response claims that there is no written agreement between the owner and Ward which specifies a day rate, whether that rate applies to specific horses or a number of horses, and the timing of payments.

The response also indicates that Ramsey asked Ward to return 30 of his horses on July 5, and that Ward filed for an agister's lien to retain ownership of the horses until the alleged debt is paid. Ramsey has reportedly been unable to race those horses, and the response points out that under Kentucky law, plaintiffs “cannot stand idly by” to allow further damages to be incurred when they could be “easily prevented by the use of reasonable efforts, expense, and diligence to prevent, or arrest, the loss.”

Colonial Downs, Jockeys’ Guild Join In Industry Partnership Agreement

The Jockeys' Guild and Colonial Downs Group announced today they have entered into a long-term industry partnership agreement. Under the terms of the multi-year deal, Colonial Downs® will contribute to the Guild to help subsidize health insurance, life insurance and temporary disability benefits for members who regularly ride at Colonial Downs®, as well as benefits for all jockeys who are members of the Jockeys' Guild and ride in the United States.

Terry Meyocks, President & CEO of the Jockeys' Guild, said, “We truly appreciate our partnership with Colonial Downs® to assist in providing these important benefits for our members. Their on-going efforts to provide a safe racing environment for everyone, as well as this agreement, reinforces the commitment of Colonial Downs® to work together for the betterment of our sport.”

“We sincerely appreciate Colonial Downs® and their support of the Guild and its members,” said Hall of Fame rider John Velazquez, Co-Chairman of the Jockeys' Guild. “They believe in a safe racing environment and our members recognize and appreciate these efforts.”

“The safety of both jockeys and equine athletes is a priority at Colonial Downs®,” said Jill Byrne, Vice-President of Racing Operations at Colonial Downs Racetrack. “Our riders continually compliment the integrity of our surfaces and our proven safety record. This partnership acknowledges and further solidifies our long-term commitment to the horse racing industry.”

“Horse racing is the centerpiece of our business in Virginia and the revival of it can only continue with the support of the industry participants, including the jockeys,” said John Marshall, Executive Vice President of Operations for Colonial Downs Group. “We are honored to have partnered with the Guild as we keep our commitment to building Colonial Downs® into one of the country's premier race meets. This agreement can be a shining example for those in the industry sharing the common interest of improving the integrity of horse racing.”

For more information on Colonial Downs® and the Jockeys' Guild visit:

https://www.colonialdowns.com/racing/

http://www.jockeysguild.com

The post Colonial Downs, Jockeys’ Guild Join In Industry Partnership Agreement appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Track Superintendent Field Day To Be Hosted At Gulfstream Park In 2022

The 2022 edition of Track Superintendent Field Day will be held June 12-14 at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla. This will mark the first time the event, which debuted in 2002 at Philadelphia Park (now Parx Racing), has been held at Gulfstream Park. The gathering brings together track superintendents and staff to discuss best practices related to track maintenance, safety and operational issues for racing and training facilities.

“We are thrilled to be heading to Florida in 2022,” said Roy Smith, founder of the event and track superintendent at Indiana Grand Racing and Casino. “Gulfstream Park is a world-class facility with terrific racing surfaces, so it will serve as a great host for track superintendents from around North America and beyond.”

“The team at Gulfstream Park and 1/ST RACING is truly looking forward to hosting the Superintendent Field Day for the first time. Being committed to the safety of all our racing participants, we appreciate working together to continue elevating standards of safe racing operations through events exactly like this one. We hope to host more of these events at our 1/ST PROPERTIES in the future,” said Aidan Butler, Chief Operating Officer, 1/ST RACING.

Thanks to the support of sponsors, including title sponsor Equine Equipment, the event again will offer free registration to all track superintendents and staff, with the only expenses being transportation and a discounted hotel rate.

“I always look forward to attending this meeting and getting the chance to share ideas and information with other track supers, so I'm excited to welcome everyone to Gulfstream Park next year,” said Tony Martinez Jr., track superintendent at the South Florida track.

“Track Superintendent Field Day always provides extensive educational information and networking, so we are proud to support this for the betterment of the industry,” said Steve Andersen of Equine Equipment. “The panels and speakers we bring together are instrumental in cultivating the superintendents of tomorrow and in building the skillsets of current supers. We urge tracks to send their key people to demonstrate willingness to invest in their future.”

In addition to the educational aspect, Track Superintendent Field Day has a charity aspect, and the 2021 meeting at Indiana Grand provided $500 donations to both the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund and New Vocations.

“The PDJF and New Vocations are both tremendously important to our industry, so we are happy to do our part in helping to support them with these donations,” said Smith. “We had a great event this year and being able to give back to the industry makes it even better.”

More information regarding registration and the agenda will be forthcoming at tracksupers.com.

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Saratoga: A Heat Index Of 105 Will Launch Conversation About Race Safety

With the National Weather Service predicting “uncomfortable” temperatures for Thursday in upstate New York, the Times-Union revealed Saratoga's heat management protocols and what it would take for the track to cancel racing. An excessive heat warning is in place from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, with the heat index projected to reach 107.

Developed by Dr. Scott Palmer, the New York State Gaming Commission's Equine Medical Director, the protocols indicated that when the heat index reaches 105, the “racetrack veterinarian should contact the stewards or judges and track management to advise them of the presence of dangerous weather conditions.” This then launches a discussion about whether racing should be allowed to continue.

Racing was last cancelled due to excessive heat on July 20, 2019, when the heat index reached 110.