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Jockeys’ Guild Annual Assembly Focuses On Crop Use, COVID-19 Challenges

The Jockeys' Guild held its Annual Meeting sponsored by TVG/Betfair virtually this year on Dec. 8, 2020. The Guild and its members continue to be appreciative of the working relationship with TVG/Betfair and its unwavering support of both the Jockeys' Guild and the Permanently Disabled Jockeys' Fund. The virtual meeting was attended by active jockeys from around the country.

The highlights included a riding crop discussion and update with regards to the various state regulations and track house rules which have been adopted this year. Co-chairmen John Velazquez and Mike Smith led a discussion with the riders from the various states where new riding crop rules have been implemented. The jockeys voiced their concerns and input regarding changes that have occurred with racing, as well as their ongoing fears with regards to the safety issues created by the restrictive use of the riding crop. It was noted that the Jockeys' Guild has and will continue to talk with regulators, industry participants, and stewards, to seek a fair, equitable national riding crop rule for all racing jurisdictions.

John Von Stade, of Accelerated Growth Partners, made a presentation to the members regarding a potential opportunity to provide exposure for the jockeys. The ideas and possibilities would be similar to those being provided to other professional athletes and the leagues through the use of social media and online platforms. This opportunity will potentially provide horse racing fans an insider's perspective that is interesting and entertaining.

As with the case in most aspects of life, COVID-19 has had a significant impact on the racing industry and, in particular, the jockeys. In order to assure that racing is able to continue in the safest manner possible, riders were advised on the current updates to the COVID-19 protocols, recognizing that the protocols vary from state to state and racetrack to racetrack, with changes occurring frequently based on updated recommendations from the CDC, as well as the local health departments. It was reiterated that jockeys and/or their agents need to make sure they are up-to-date on each track's current protocols before they make plans to ride at a specific track.

The members were also provided an update on the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (“PDJF”). Like so many other non-profit organizations, COVID-19 has had a detrimental impact on the customary fundraising efforts. However, with the continued support of committed and generous donors, as well as many of the individual jockeys who make contributions, some funds have been received in order to continue to provide the ongoing support of those catastrophically injured jockeys who rely on the assistance of the PDJF. It was announced, based on the hope of lessening of COVID-19 restrictions next year, the organization will launch a major initiative in 2021.

The members were updated on the Jockeys' Guild app which will enhance communication between the Guild and its members. The Jockeys' Guild budget and financials were also presented.

The riders in attendance re-elected John Velazquez and Mike Smith as co-chairmen, Ricky Ramirez, Julien Leparoux and Javier Castellano as Vice-Chairs, Joel Campbell as treasurer and Rodney Prescott as secretary. Joe Bravo and Alex Birzer were re-elected and Drayden Van Dyke was newly elected to the board of directors.

Additionally, the Guild announced that 27 members have been elected to the organization's senate, who are elected by fellow members of the Guild, with nine from each of the three regions. Among other responsibilities, the senate determines the levels of dues and assessments and selects the board members. Senate members are elected for a two-year term and were formally inducted during the virtual meeting. The elected senate includes the following individuals:

Eastern – Joe Bravo, Javier Castellano, Mike Luzzie, Irad Ortiz Jr., Jose Ortiz, Trevor McCarthy, Edgar Prado, Sheldon Russell, John R. Velasquez, Junior Alvarado (Alt.)

Central – Robby Albarado, Alex Birzer, Joel Campbell, Jon Court, Tyler Gaffalione, James Graham, Julien Leparoux, Deshawn Parker, Rodney Prescott

Western – J Martin Bourdieu, James Flores (QH), Eddie Garcia (QH), Juan M. Gutierrez, Flavien Prat, Ricky Ramirez (QH), Mike Smith, Drayden Van Dyke, Michael Ybarra, Eduardo Nicasio (QH – Alt.)

“The Guild sincerely appreciates the work and support of the previous Senate members and looks forward to working with the newly elected members,” said Terry Meyocks, president & CEO of the Jockeys' Guild. “As the organization that provides a voice for the jockeys, it is necessary that we have dedicated jockeys who are actively involved in the Guild working for the benefit of all jockeys.”

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Failed Pinnacle Race Course Property Set To Become New Site For Amazon Warehouses

What was previously Pinnacle Race Course is currently under construction to become two new Amazon warehouses. According to The Detroit Free Press, Amazon plans to bring about 1,000 jobs to the two warehouses being built south of Detroit Metro Airport.

John Enos, the township's community development director, said construction appears to be moving very fast. The warehouses being built on the one mile race track could be finished as early as next summer.

“One is going to be more warehousing, one will be more technology and separation and sorting,” Enos said to Detroit Free Press's JC Reindl. “They are pretty much located on the track, which is interesting to see from my standpoint as a planner and builder guy. There were a lot of very expensive soils put into that racetrack, different layers of sand and gravel, specifically put there for horses to run on.”

Christopher Girdwood, executive director of the Detroit Region Aerotropolis Development Corp., said that Amazon only plans to use 100 acres of the 650 acre site, leaving room for more development.

“This is not the only thing you are going to see at Pinnacle,” Girdwood said. “This is a large piece of property, and this project is just a small piece of it.”

At least $50 million in capital was sunk into the racetrack that opened in 2008 in the middle of the recession. It closed in 2010 with operational losses.

Soumillon Off Sunday Mounts In Hong Kong Pending More COVID-19 Tests

The Hong Kong Jockey Club has been informed by jockey Christophe Soumillon that he has been requested by the Department of Health to undergo further COVID-19 tests.

It is unknown at this stage when the testing will be completed and when Soumillon will be released from quarantine.

Soumillon was licensed by the club on the basis that he would undergo a mandatory 14 days' quarantine under the compulsory quarantine of persons arriving at Hong Kong from foreign places regulation (Cap. 599E). Soumillon arrived at Hong Kong on Nov. 26 and commenced this 14 days' quarantine.

Despite having cleared his initial COVID-19 test on his arrival, he has yet to receive an unconditional release from quarantine in order to ride on this coming Sunday.

The Club has taken advice from its chief medical officer. Given these circumstances the stewards have decided to stand him down from Sunday's riding engagements. The club is in the process of informing the relevant connections. The change of riders will be published in due course.

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Kentucky Horse Racing Commission Approves More Regulations On Clenbuterol

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission approved modified race dates for Turfway Park, a request from Churchill Downs to convert their noncontiguous track extension facility into a simulcast facility, and new withdrawal requirements for administration of clenbuterol in their bi-monthly meeting on Dec. 8, 2020.

Turfway Park was originally granted 39 days for their 2021 Winter Spring meet. They did not request to change the number of days already allowed for their meet, just the specific dates and times during which the meet would take place as well as ship in dates.

“Turfway Park has already been awarded 39 days of racing for January, February, and March of 2021,” KHRC deputy general counsel Chad Thompson said.”The shift of dates will fall within the same months as the dates that were recorded. In addition, the shift in dates will not conflict with those of another thoroughbred track.”

The reason for the shift is a delay in the construction schedule at Turfway, which is undergoing a complete renovation by owner Churchill Downs Inc.

There was a series of amendments made to pre-existing regulations on clenbuterol use. The first amendment was made to make a new section within a drug regulation rule to include clenbuterol and specify that it is prohibited unless certain conditions are met. The first condition is that a clenbuterol prescription must be made for a specific horse based upon a specific diagnosis. The second condition is that the vet is required to provide a copy of the horse's treatment sheet to the equine medical director for review within 24 hours of administration. The third condition is that the horse must be placed on the vet's list for 21 days post-administration and must pass a blood and urine test at the end of the 21 days to be removed from the list.

The second amendment on clenbuterol regulations was made to a regulation on the acceptable threshold of clenbuterol. This new amendment states that the acceptable threshold is the level of detection in urine serum and plasma. The last amendment made states that clenbuterol may be administered if the treatment is pursuant to a prescription and reported to the commission.

Although the amendments were ultimately approved, there were some points made in regards to how the amendments are affecting the Standardbred community since those horses race more frequently than Thoroughbreds do.

“This, I think, is a case of punishing harness racing for the sins of the Quarter Horse people and Thoroughbred people,” Said commissioner Alan Leavitt in response to the proposal of the clenbuterol amendments. “There have been, as far as I know, no instances reported of a Standardbred being overly treated with clenbuterol in order to get a steroidal effect.”

The commission unanimously approved the conversion of the Louisville Thoroughbred Society to become a simulcast facility.

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