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TERF, Horsemen U Partner To Promote Continuing Education

The Thoroughbred Education & Research Foundation (TERF) announced today that it will partner with the new Horsemen U website to promote continuing education for Thoroughbred trainers and assistant trainers. TERF will provide a grant of $4,000 to the Horsemen U project, which will cover the cost of the website for a full year.

Horsemen U is a collaboration of the national Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association and the California Thoroughbred Trainers. The platform was launched in May to assist trainers and assistant trainers in complying with continuing education requirements, which have been adopted in California, Delaware, Maryland, New York, Virginia and West Virginia. (Click the state to get regulation for that jurisdiction.) The website currently offers 16 CE seminars, covering topics from “Diagnostic Imaging” and “Biosecurity” to the “Musculoskeletal System of the Racehorse” and “Equine Welfare, Horseracing, and the Social License to Operate,” and also hosts live webinars.

TERF, an offshoot of Thoroughbred Charities of America, was established in 2012 to provide focused funding for equine education and research and supports education and research organizations in the Mid-Atlantic region.

The objectives of TERF and Horsemen U dovetail seamlessly.

Dr. Jim Orsini, one of the founders and a Trustee of TERF, said: “Education is the best investment for improving the lives of trainers, assistant trainers, and others in the equine industry. High quality education of equine industry personnel results in improved health and welfare of the horse. Additionally, individuals that complete courses offered by Horsemen U can educate others by mentoring and serving as a role model to create a multiplier effect.”

Dr. Scott Palmer, Equine Medical Director for the New York State Gaming Commission and also a TERF Trustee, spearheaded the first-ever CE regulation for Thoroughbred racing in 2017.

“TERF's mission aligns with several of the primary goals of Horsemen U – education, Thoroughbred horses, safety, health and welfare,” Palmer said. “We couldn't be better connected in our mutual goal to support the Thoroughbred racing industry through education of individuals primarily responsible for the care of Thoroughbred horses.

“By supporting the education of current and future generations of horse care professionals, TERF not only directly enhances the ability of industry stakeholders to improve the health and welfare of the horses in their care, but also provides an opportunity for the Thoroughbred industry to demonstrate its commitment to equine welfare to the general public,” he added.

THA Chairman Alan Foreman applauded the partnership between Horsemen U and TERF.

“Horsemen U was born of the efforts of the Mid-Atlantic stakeholders involved in the Strategic Plan to Reduce Equine Fatalities,” Foreman said. “We have state regulators, racetrack management and horsemen's groups working together to improve the safety of our sport, and continuing education is an important component of the Plan. Joining forces with TERF will strengthen our initiative and help to ensure that our horsemen have the tools they need to provide the best care possible for the horses.”

TERF has distributed more than $700,000 in grants since its inception. The organization relies on the support of generous donors to continue its mission of promoting Thoroughbred health and welfare by funding scholarships, educational programs, and equine research with a priority to make racing safer. Tax-deductible contributions can be made by mailing a check made payable to 'Thoroughbred Education and Research Foundation' to: Thoroughbred Education and Research Foundation (TERF) c/o CCCF, 28 West Market Street, West Chester, PA 19382, or by visiting the TERF donation page at www.terfusa.org/donate/.

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Weekend Lineup Presented By NYRA Bets: Summer Comes To An End

The Saratoga summer comes to a close this Labor Day Weekend, but a pair of Breeders' Cup Challenge “Win And You're In” races on Saturday will end upstate New York's graded stakes action on a high note. The Jockey Club Gold Cup and the Flower Bowl each offer the winner a berth in the World Championships to be held this November at Del Mar.

On the West Coast, summer racing at Del Mar also comes to an end this weekend. A pair of turf stakes highlight Saturday's action: the Del Mar Derby and the John C. Mabee Stakes.

Sunday will highlight 2-year-old races for fillies on both coasts: the G1 Spinaway at Saratoga, and the G1 Debutante at Del Mar. Monday will offer the juvenile colts a shot at Grade 1 glory: the G1 Hopeful is scheduled at Saratoga, while the G1 Futurity will be held at Del Mar.

Sunday is also opening day at the rich Kentucky Downs meet, and racing at the European-style turf track continues on Monday.

Here's a quick snapshot of this weekend's graded stakes schedule, starting with Saratoga's big races (all times Eastern):

Saturday

6:11 p.m. – $600,000 Grade 1 Flower Bowl Stakes at Saratoga

War Like Goddess brings a three-race win streak into this 11-furlong inner turf test for older fillies and mares, chasing an expenses-paid berth to the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf for trainer Bill Mott. The daughter of English Channel has won the G3 Orchid, G3 Bewitch, and G2 Glens Falls over three different turf courses this year, and Mott is confident she can step up to the top level.

However, six-time Flower Bowl-winning trainer Chad Brown will have something to say about that. He'll saddle a pair for this year's edition: My Sister Nate, a half-sister to champion Sistercharlie and runner-up in last year's running of this race, and Great Island, last-out winner of the G3 Matchmaker.

American Bridge will make her North American debut in this spot for owner Peter Brant and trainer Jean Claude Rouget, entering off a win in a Group 3 race over 1 1/4 miles in France last out. Another in with a shot is La Signare for Brendan Walsh, who could be the main speed in the race and has earned three straight G1 placings.

Flower Bowl Entries

6:46 p.m. – $1 million Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup at Saratoga

Another Bill Mott trainee is the highlight in this “Win and You're In” race for the Breeders' Cup Classic. This time it's the lightly-raced but definitely talented Forza Di Oro, last year's G3 Discover Stakes winner. He'll looking to put together back-to-back starts this year after an easy allowance victory last out.

Happy Saver won this race last year and appears to be the main threat to repeat for trainer Todd Pletcher, though he'll have to do better than the third he ran in the mud last out in the G2 Suburban. The horse who beat him that day, Max Player, returns for hot trainer Steve Asmussen, and if he is able to remain consistent at this level could be a major player.

Night Ops is the unknown in the race for trainer Brad Cox. He ran second to Art Collector in the Alydar Stakes last out, and that rival came back to win the Charles Town Classic. Night Ops has yet to find the winner's circle this year, but has run four straight seconds and could work out the right trip under Manny Franco.

JCGC Entries

8:37 p.m. – $200,000 Grade 2 John C. Mabee Stakes at Del Mar

The Mabee has drawn nine fillies and mares and appears to be the kind of race where contention runs deep. Dogtag has been made a slight 3-1 favorite over Maxim Rate at 7-2, but it's 4-1 shot Going to Vegas who is likely to appeal most to handicappers off her allowance win last out.

Mabee Entries

9:37 p.m. – $250,000 Grade 2 Del Mar Derby at Del Mar

The Derby has drawn 14 runners and is, of course, for 3-year-olds as the culminating event in the track's turf triple for sophomores, having been preceded by the Runhappy Oceanside Stakes and the Grade 3 La Jolla Stakes.

The first three finishers in both of those “prep” races are back to give it a go in this 77th edition of the Derby, which makes for a challenging wagering race. And the fact that Del Mar's morning line maker, Jon White, has made his favorite Hudson Ridge a very tepid 9-2 tells you that the race looms wide open with a thrilling finish likely to decide the winner.

Del Mar Derby Entries

Sunday

6:11 p.m. – $300,000 Grade 1 Spinaway at Saratoga

Echo Zulu will attempt to parlay a sensational debut victory into a Grade 1 win as she takes on a field of nine 2-year-old fillies assembled for Sunday's seven-furlong contest. The undeniable favorite earned the highest Beyer of any 2-year-old filly this year in her debut, a 92, and will take serious beating if she can run back anywhere close to that figure.

G3 Schuylerville winner Pretty Birdie is the likely second choice for trainer Norm Casse, but the frontrunning daughter of Bird Song will have to stretch her speed in the Spinaway.

Spinaway Entries

9:00 p.m. – $300,000 Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante at Del Mar

Undefeated Sorrento Stakes winner Elm Drive is back for more in this seven-furlong contest, and as a daughter of Mohaymen, the seven-furlong distance should be well within her scope. Recent maiden winners Dance to the Music and Grace Adler each pose a potential threat, as does the latter's Bob Baffert-trained stablemate, Sorrento runner-up Eda.

Debutante Entries

Monday

5:38 p.m. – $300,000 Grade 1 Hopeful at Saratoga

Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher will saddle a pair of strong contenders in Wit and Power Agenda in this seven-furlong sprint for juveniles. Each holds wins at six furlongs, but Pletcher believes the extra eighth of a mile won't be an issue for either of his trainees.

Wit, by 2016 Hopeful-winner Practical Joke and out of the Medaglia d'Oro mare Numero d'Oro, is perfect through two starts. Wit posted a six-length maiden win over 5 1/2 furlongs in June, ahead of an eight-length score in the G3 Sanford over six furlongs on July 17.

Power Agenda, by Nyquist and out of the Afleet Alex mare Dream Dance, prevailed by a nose in a gutsy gate-to-wire debut win sprinting six furlongs on Aug. 14 at the Spa.

Hopeful Entries

8:30 p.m. – $300,000 Grade 1 Futurity at Del Mar

Best Pal winner Pappacap drew the rail in this six-horse, seven-furlong event for trainer Mark Casse, but he'll face a tough assignment from a pair of Bob Baffert-trained maiden winners.

Murray, the Baffert-trained son of Street Sense who commanded $300,000 as a yearling, won his July 25 maiden race at Del Mar by 10 3/4 lengths. His stablemate, the Twirling Candy colt Pinehurst, broke his maiden by a half-length at Del Mar on Aug. 1.

Futurity Entries

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Former Horsemen’s Bookkeeper At Remington Indicted On Embezzlement Charge

Patricia Bessonett, formerly the horsemen's bookkeeper at Remington Park and Fair Meadows in Oklahoma, has been charged with embezzlement and pattern of criminal offense for her actions while working at those racetracks.

According to a grand jury indictment handed down from the Supreme Court of the State of Oklahoma, Bessonett is alleged to have embezzled more than $15,000 between Jan. 29, 2018, and Aug. 19, 2020, at both racetracks.

The total amount of money embezzled is not listed in the indictment. Oklahoma state code cited in the indictment provides for a maximum prison sentence of five years and a fine of no more than $5,000 for embezzlement of amounts between $1,000 and $25,000.

The pattern of criminal offense charge stems from the allegation that Bessonett “unlawfully and willingly [committed] two or more offenses as part of a greater scheme or plan” related to the alleged embezzlement.

A warrant for Bessonett's arrest was issued in Oklahoma County on Aug. 31.

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Letter To The Editor: It’s Not Too Late To Shut Down The Slaughter Pipeline In The U.S.

Thanks to The Paulick Report's excellent coverage, readers are familiar with the slaughter pipeline where U.S. horses, including many off-track Thoroughbreds, are inhumanely transported to Mexico and Canada for slaughter and butchering so their meat can be sold for human food.

(If you're not familiar with this issue, you can learn more in our previous reporting here.)

In case you're a new reader, the slaughter pipeline is the legal practice where “kill pens” across the U.S. buy, hold, and transport horses to slaughter. It's a lucrative but unimaginably cruel business. Tens of thousands of horses, donkeys, and mules are shipped across U.S. highways and sold by the pound each year. Their journey and slaughter are particularly shocking. Unlike cattle, it's difficult to stun or sedate horses, so some are still conscious when they're strung up. Many slaughtered horses were young, healthy, and adoptable. Some were pregnant. Some were straight off their last race. Kill pen buyers are not picky.

Paulick Report readers know — and hate — all this. But what they may not know is that there is yet another chance to make the slaughter pipeline illegal. House Resolution 3684, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (yes, the infamous $3.5 trillion Infrastructure Bill) is now back in the House of Representatives and it holds that chance.

While the Infrastructure Bill was debated in the House in June, Representative Troy Carter of Louisiana offered a simple amendment that promised to finally end the horse slaughter pipeline in this country. His amendment, which became Section 4406 “Transportation of Horses,” passed the House with bipartisan support. However, the bill's text, including the horse amendment, was stripped when it arrived in the Senate. Senator Bob Menendez of New Jersey stepped in and offered an identical amendment, but it was never voted on.

So after two noble, but failed efforts, Congress now has another chance to stop this horrible practice and do something Americans agree on.

But Congress' plate is full of urgent business and protecting horses has never been a priority. Make it one this time by contacting your representative and urging him or her to offer an amendment to ban the transport of American slaughter-bound horses, or to support such an amendment if offered by a colleague. Not sure who your representative is? Check here https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative

–Kathy Stinson Hessmer
Volunteer at Circle A Home For Horses
Virginia Beach, VA

If you'd like to submit a letter to our editorial staff, please click here.

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