The Biz | Horse Racing Free Tips

Trainer John Ortiz Suspended 15 Days For Clenbuterol Positive At Ellis Park

Trainer John Alexander Ortiz has been issued a $500 fine and a 30-day suspension by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, with 15 days stayed, after his trainee Woopigsooie tested positive for clenbuterol at Ellis Park on July 2, 2020.

Woopigsooie finished third in that day's second race, and post-race testing showed a clenbuterol level of 236 picograms per milliliter in the urine, according to findings confirmed by the UIC Analytical Forensic Testing Laboratory.

Since this was Ortiz' first medication violation as a trainer, stewards stayed 15 of the 30 suspension days, pending he has no additional Class A or B medication violations over the next year.

Ortiz will serve his 15-day suspension from Dec. 20, 2020, through Jan. 3, 2021.

Woopigsooie, a 3-year-old son of Secret Circle, was disqualified from his third-place finish in the $16,000 claimer, and all purse money was forfeited.

The post Trainer John Ortiz Suspended 15 Days For Clenbuterol Positive At Ellis Park appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

New Mexico Horsemen: ‘Emergency And Life-Threatening Situation That Requires Immediate Action’

A group of horsemen in New Mexico have issued a written plea to the state's Racing Commission, Gaming Control Board and Sunland Park racetrack management to help resolve what they call an “emergency and life-threatening situation that requires immediate action.”

“There are 1,000 horses and 634 people under direct threat,” the Sunland Park Horsemen's Committee wrote in a two-page letter dated Dec. 10 in response to news that Sunland Park's race meet has been postponed from late December until Jan. 26, 2021.

Racing is currently under way at Penn National Gaming's Zia Park in Hobbs, N.M., through Dec. 23. The track was reopened Dec. 2 after being shut down in mid-November by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham when a spike in COVID-19 positives hit the state. Racetrack casinos have been unable to open to generate revenue during the pandemic.

The stable area at Zia Park is scheduled to close on Dec. 31 and horsemen have not been told when Sunland Park on the New Mexico side of the Texas border near El Paso will open for training. Sunland claims horsemen owe the track for keeping the stable area open for training earlier in the year when the pandemic forced racing to be cancelled. Sunland Park is owned by My Way Holdings LLC, which received a PPP loan totaling $2.22 million after Congress passed emergency legislation.

“Horses will not have a place to live and train if Sunland Park is not open for training,” the horsemen wrote. “Owners of these horses cannot survive another shutdown. People are literally sacrificing care for themselves so that they can feed their horses.

“Training is essential for the safety and welfare of racehorses,” the letter continued. “It is inhumane to deny racehorses the ability to train and to train properly. Life-threatening injuries may result when racehorses cannot leave their stall or train in a safe manner. Stall injuries and episodes of spontaneous colic as well as self-inflicted fractures and lacerations occur when horses are not properly conditioned and exercised. …

“The New Mexico Racing Commission has blatantly failed to protect the welfare of the horse. They have disregarded their own mission statement which inclues 'to provide regulation in an equitable manner … which promotes a climate of economic prosperity for horsemen, horse owners, and racetrack management.'”

The Horsemen's Committee consists of Paul Jenson, DVM, MS, DACVS; Dick Cappellucci; Jarett Rogers; Bart Hone; Wes Giles; Gerald Marr; and Maurcenia Cross.

Read the full letter here.

The post New Mexico Horsemen: ‘Emergency And Life-Threatening Situation That Requires Immediate Action’ appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

International Federation Of Horseracing Authorities Publish Minimum Horse Welfare Standards

The Horse Welfare Committee of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) has produced guidance on standards for the care and welfare of horses at different times of their life, which is in line with its terms of reference that include promoting best practice, harmonization and information exchange across racing nations. Titled “IFHA Minimum Horse Welfare Standards”, this paper complements recent reforms which will ensure the traceability of horses from their foal stage through into retirement and beyond.

Racing authorities should refer to this guidance to establish accepted horse welfare practices in their jurisdiction and to set minimum standards of participant behavior, including behavioral change where necessary.

“The IFHA affirms the central role of the horse in racing, and accordingly, regards the health and welfare of racehorses, in all stages of life, to be fundamentally important to the viability and sustainability of the industry,” said IFHA Chairman Louis Romanet. “The Executive Council of the Federation endorses this IFHA Minimum Horse Welfare Standards document and I want to thank our Horse Welfare Committee Chairman Jamie Stier for leading the efforts to produce this useful and practical guide for racing authorities.”

The IFHA's Horse Welfare Committee has prepared these standards, in part, by basing them upon sections of the New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) “Thoroughbred Welfare Assessment Guidelines” (October 2019) which were developed by NZTR with the assistance of Professor Emeritus David Mellor, Foundation Director of the Animal Welfare Science and Bioethics Centre at Massey University, New Zealand.

In conjunction with the publication of the IFHA Minimum Horse Welfare Standards, a short video and podcast have been produced, featuring Mr Stier, who is also the Executive General Manager, Integrity Services, Racing Victoria, along with the aforementioned Mellor, and Dr Lynn Hillyer, Chief Veterinary Officer and Head of Anti-Doping for the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board. The panel was moderated by esteemed British racing presenter Rishi Persad.

The post International Federation Of Horseracing Authorities Publish Minimum Horse Welfare Standards appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Fair Grounds To Boost Purses By 10 Percent On Jan. 1; Maiden Specials Will Be $50,000

Inspired by strong simulcast handle during the first three weeks of the 149th racing season, which includes solid bettor response to the newly implemented traditional early and late Pick 5 wagers, Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots in New Orleans, La., has announced a 10% purse increase across the board.

“We're extremely excited to announce a 10 percent increase to our daily purse structure,” Fair Grounds' racing secretary Scott Jones said. “Based on the strong early handle returns and continued support from our owners and horseman, we are in a position to raise purses.”

As a result of the increase, which will go into effect for condition book #3 (which starts January 1, 2021), purses on allowance races will be bumped up $3,000, while all other races will receive a $2,000 hike. Maiden special weight races will now be worth $50,000. The purse increase includes both open races and Louisiana-bred races.

Entries for the Friday, January 1 card will be drawn on Saturday, December 26, 2020.

The post Fair Grounds To Boost Purses By 10 Percent On Jan. 1; Maiden Specials Will Be $50,000 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post