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Colonial Downs Announces $3.5-Million Stakes Schedule

Colonial Downs Racing presented by Woodford Reserve, which kicks off its 27-day “More Racing, More Money and More Fun” Thoroughbred racing season July 11, has unveiled a $3.5-million stakes schedule highlighted by the 19th running of the GIII Virginia Derby.

In all, 24 stakes will be contested over the nine-week campaign, 20 of which are scheduled for the Secretariat Turf Course, the widest grass racing surface in the country. Purses for the 2022 stakes program will increase by $850,000 over 2021 totaling over $3.5 million in stakes dollars up for grabs. Racing will take place every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. (EDT) through Sep. 7.

Daily average purse monies will rise to $600,000 for the summer from $522,000 in 2021. Maiden special weight races will carry a $60,000 purse. The highly successful 2021 meet awarded a total of $10.4 million in purse monies and average field size was a healthy 8.36 starters per race.

“With increased purses, an expanded stakes schedule and more race days, we are looking forward to hosting horsemen and women, players and patrons from across the country again this season,” said Jill Byrne, Vice President Racing Operations. “Colonial Downs offers a fantastic facility for horses and staff and two of the best surfaces known for safety and sound returns to the barn.”

The $300,000 Virginia Derby headlines a showcase day on Tuesday, Sept. 6 which also includes four undercard turf stakes. The Mid Atlantic Thoroughbred Championship (MATCH) Series returns for a second straight year Aug. 16 with a quartet of stakes worth a combined $600,000.

“Our horsemen are chomping at the bit for more summer racing with great purses at Colonial,” said Frank Petramalo, Virginia HBPA Executive Director. “To help horsemen get good stable help, the VHBPA is sponsoring formal training programs for hot walkers and grooms. The VHBPA will also offer its usual benevolence programs, including medical/dental benefits, recreational programs, and our chaplaincy.”

The complete stakes schedule, along with stall applications for the upcoming meet, can be found at www.colonialdowns.com/horsemen.

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CTHS Alberta Details ’22 Mare Recruitment Program

The Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society (Alberta Division) outlined the new Mare Recruitment Program (MRP) offering incentives to mare owners who bring an in-foal mare to Alberta to foal in 2022. The criteria for the MRP program are:

Breeders will receive a C$750 incentive for each in-foal mare brought to Alberta.
The in-foal mare must not have foaled in Alberta in 2020-21. Mares that were eligible for the HBPA Mare Purchase Program are not eligible for the Program.
Maiden mares are eligible for the MRP upon proof that mare resided outside of Alberta for at least 3 months in the last year.
Breeders of an MRP eligible mare receive an additional $250 if, after foaling, the mare is bred to an Alberta sire during the 2022 breeding season.
Not eligible are in-foal mares purchased in 2021 at recognized public auctions including Wannamaker's Online Sale, Fasig-Tipton November Breeding Stock Sale, Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale, Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale, OBS Winter Mixed Sale, Fasig-Tipton Midatlantic Winter Mixed Sale and Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Winter Mixed Sale.

The deadline for submission of applications is May 31st, 2022. For more info., www.cthsalta.com/marerecruitmentprogram.

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Weekly Rulings: Mar. 1 -7

Every week, the TDN publishes a roundup of key official rulings from the primary tracks within the four major racing jurisdictions of California, New York, Florida and Kentucky.

Here's a primer on how each of these jurisdictions adjudicates different offenses, what they make public (or not) and where.

CALIFORNIA

Track: Santa Anita
Date: 03/04/2022
Licensee: Kent Desormeaux, jockey
Penalty: Suspension
Violation: Non-appearance for hearing
Explainer: Jockey Kent Desormeaux, having failed to respond to written notice to appear before the Board of Stewards at Santa Anita Park on or before March 3, 2022, is suspended for violation of California Horse Racing Board rule #1547 (Failure to Appear) pending an appearance at a hearing before a Board of Stewards to answer to charges alleging violation of CHRB rule #1874 (Disorderly Conduct- Causing a disturbance) and #1485(d)(License Subject to Conditions and Agreement – Failure to abide by an agreement with the Winners Foundation). During the term of this suspension, all licenses and license privileges of Kent Desormeaux are suspended and pursuant to California Horse Racing Board rule #1528 (Jurisdiction of Stewards), subject is denied access to all premises in this jurisdiction.

Track: Santa Anita
Date: 03/04/2022
Licensee: Drayden Van Dyke, jockey
Penalty: Three-day suspension
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: Jockey Drayden Van Dyke, who rode Loma Vista in the fourth race at Santa Anita Park on February 27, 2022, is suspended for THREE (3) racing days (March 11, 12 and 13, 2022) for violation of California Horse Racing Board Rule 1688(b)(4)(d) (Use of Riding crop – Excessive use – third offense within the past sixty days).

Track: Santa Anita
Date: 03/05/2022
Licensee: Mark Glatt, trainer
Penalty: $500 and assessed ½ point
Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: Trainer Mark Glatt, who started the horse Beer Can Man, that finished second in the sixth race at Santa Anita Park on January 1, 2022, is fined $500.00 and assessed one half (1/2) point in accordance with California Horse Racing Board rule #1843.4 (Multiple Medication Violations – Expires 01/1/23) pursuant to rule #1887 (Trainer or Owner to Insure Condition of Horse) for violation of rule #1843(a)(b)(d) (Medication, Drugs and Other Substances), and rule #1843.1(a) (Prohibited Drug Substance – Dexamethasone [Class 4/C]).

Track: Santa Anita
Date: 03/06/2022
Licensee: Edwin Maldonado, jockey
Penalty: Three-day suspension
Violation: Using whip in overhand position
Explainer: Jockey Edwin Maldonado, who rode See Through It in the first race at Santa Anita Park on March 5, 2022, is suspended for THREE (3) racing days, (March 13, 18 and 19, 2022) for violation of California Horse Racing Board rule #1688(d)(3) (Use of Riding Crop – in the overhanded position – first offense in the last sixty days). Pursuant to California Horse Racing Board rule #1766 (Designated Races), the term of suspension shall not prohibit participation in designated races.

Track: Santa Anita
Date: 03/06/2022
Licensee: Victor Espinoza, jockey
Penalty: $1,500 fine
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: Jockey Victor Espinoza is fined $1500.00 for violation of California Horse Racing Board rule #1688(b)(8)(d) (Use of Riding Crop – more than six times – second offense in the last sixty days) during the eleventh race (Santa Anita Handicap) at Santa Anita Park on March 5, 2022.

Track: Santa Anita
Date: 03/06/2022
Licensee: Ricardo Ramirez, jockey
Penalty: Three-day suspension
Violation: Careless riding
Explainer: Apprentice Jockey Ricardo Ramirez, who rode Mylittlerunaway in the third race at Santa Anita Park on March 5, 2022, is suspended for three (3) racing days (March 13, 18 and 19, 2022) for failure to make the proper effort to maintain a straight course in the stretch, causing interference which resulted in the disqualification of his mount from third to seventh place. This constitutes a violation of California Horse Racing Board rule #1699 (Riding Rules–Careless Riding). Pursuant to California Horse Racing Board rule #1766 (Designated Races), the term of suspension shall not prohibit participation in designated races.

Track: Santa Anita
Date: 03/06/2022
Licensee: Brice Blanc, jockey
Penalty: $500 fine
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: Jockey Brice Blanc is fined $500.00 for violation of California Horse Racing Board rule #1688(b)(8) (Use of Riding Crop – more than six times) during the seventh race at Santa Anita Park on March 5, 2022.

Track: Santa Anita
Date: 03/06/2022
Licensee: Jamie Spencer, jockey
Penalty: Five-day suspension
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: Jockey Jamie Spencer, who rode Space Traveller in the 10th race (Frank E. Kilroe Mile) at Santa Anita Park on March 5, 2022, is suspended for FIVE (5) racing days (March 13, 18, 19, 20 and 25, 2022) for violation of California Horse Racing Board Rule 1688(b)(4)(d)(2) (Use of Riding crop – excessive use). Pursuant to California Horse Racing Board Rule #1766 (Designated Races), the term of suspension shall not prohibit participation in designated races.

Track: Santa Anita
Date: 03/06/2022
Licensee: Ricardo Gonzalez, jockey
Penalty: $1,500 fine
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: Jockey Ricardo Gonzalez is fined $1500.00 for violation of California Horse Racing Board rule #1688(b)(8)(d) (Use of Riding Crop – more than six times) during the fifth race (Buena Vista Stakes) at Santa Anita Park on March 5, 2022.

Track: Santa Anita
Date: 03/07/2022
Licensee: Paula Capestro, trainer
Penalty: $400 fine
Violation: Late registration of Lasix
Explainer: Trainer Paula Capestro is fined $400.00 for violation of California Horse Racing Board rule #1845 (Authorized Bleeder Medication – late registration) of Prince Maior in the third race on March 6, 2022, at Santa Anita Park.

Track: Santa Anita
Date: 03/07/2022
Licensee: Ryan Curatolo, jockey
Penalty: $750 fine
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: Jockey Ryan Curatolo is fined $750.00 for violation of California Horse Racing Board rule #1688(b)(8)(d) (Use of Riding Crop – more than six times – second offense within the past sixty days) during the first race at Santa Anita Park on March 6, 2022.

KENTUCKY

Track: Turfway Park (for a violation at Churchill Downs)
Date: 02/26/2022
Licensee: James Baker, trainer
Penalty: Thirty-day suspension (15 days stayed) and $500 fine
Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: Upon receipt of notification from Industrial Laboratories, the official testing laboratory fol. the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission and confirmed at Texas A & M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, sample number E490742 taken from Fed Money, who finished flrst in the tenth race at Churchill Downs on November 4, 2021 contained Metformin in blood (class 8). After a formal hearing before the Board of Stewards James E. Baker is hereby suspended THIRTY (30) days and fined $500. Due to mitigating circumstances (number of violations in relation to overall record), 15 days are to be served from March 1, 2022 through March 15, 2022 (inclusive). The remaining 15 days are stayed on the condition that no Class A or Class 8 medication violation occurs in any racing jurisdiction within 365 days from the date of this ruling. Fed Money is disqualified and all purse money forfeited. Pari-mutuel wagering is not affected by this ruling. During his suspension Mr. Baker is denied the privileges of all facilities under the jurisdiction of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission. Entry of all horses owned or trained by Mr. Baker is denied pending transfer to persons acceptable to the stewards. Upon receipt of this ruling. it is required within thirty (30) days to pay any and all fines imposed to the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission.

NEW YORK

Track: Aqueduct
Date: 03/06/2022
Licensee: Suzanne Zelman, trainer
Penalty: $500
Violation: Failure of business conduct, necessitating scratch
Explainer: Fined the sum of five hundred $500 for failing to tend to business in a proper manner necessitating a scratch in the 6th race at Aqueduct Racetrack Mar. 5th 2022.

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Wednesday Hearing on Stay of Blea Suspension

California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) equine medical director Jeff Blea, sidelined from that role since early January, is headed to Los Angeles County Superior Court Wednesday, seeking a stay on the California Veterinary Medical Board's interim suspension of his veterinary license.

If the court doesn't grant a stay on the interim suspension–pending a formal hearing on the merits of the veterinary board's accusations against him–Blea asks the court to determine whether in the interim he can resume his duties as equine medical director and as a member of the Anti-Doping and Medication Committee under the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act, according to an ex parte application filed Monday.

Late last month, Blea filed a writ of mandate with the LA County Superior Court seeking to formally lift the veterinary board's interim suspension. Blea's attorney, George Wallace, explained that another purpose of the legal action was to potentially delay a formal hearing on the merits of the veterinary board's accusations against Blea to allow the LA County Superior Court to weigh in first.

The February court filing also sought declarative and injunctive relief, arguing that the position of equine medical director does not require an active license, and that Blea, UC Davis and the CHRB will continue to suffer “irreparable harm” if California horse racing's head veterinarian remains unable to fulfil his duties. That LA County Superior Court hearing has yet to be scheduled.

UC Davis placed Blea on administrative leave from his role as equine medical director Jan 12. That position is first appointed by the dean of UC Davis, which then contracts with the CHRB for the appointee's services.

Since then, UC Davis has used various school personnel to fulfil the equine medical director's duties for the CHRB.

Early this year, the veterinary board successfully sought an interim suspension of Blea's veterinary license for a number of alleged offenses, including purportedly administering medications to racehorses without a prior examination, without forming a diagnosis and without medical necessity.

The veterinary board also claimed that Blea presents a “danger to public health, safety and welfare,” due to his oversight as equine medical director of the high-profile investigation into the death of the Bob Baffert-trained Medina Spirit (Protonico), the Kentucky Derby winner who collapsed and died after a scheduled workout Dec. 6 at Santa Anita.

The necropsy and postmortem review of Medina Spirit's death is now complete, with the cause of death undetermined. The executive associate dean of UC Davis's School of Veterinary Medicine ultimately oversaw the necropsy examination.

According to various leading veterinary medical experts, the veterinary board's accusations leveled against Blea consist largely of lax record keeping.

They also suggest that the veterinary board's investigation potentially failed to account for the unusual nature of veterinary practice on the backstretch, where veterinarians–even those with multiple barns under their care–can build the sort of daily relationship with their animals absent from traditional small animal practice.

The formal hearing on the merits of the veterinary board's accusations has not yet been scheduled.

Monday's court filing emphasizes the highly unusual nature of the interim suspension against Blea, who hasn't practiced private veterinary medicine since assuming the equine medical director position in June of last year.

“Dr. Blea is the only veterinarian since at least 2019 that the Veterinary Medical Board has deemed to be such a threat to public safety and well-being that it has sought to suspend his license to practice without proceeding to a full hearing on the merits of its Accusation case,” the filing states.

The ex parte application also delves into the jurisdictional turf war that has emerged between the veterinary board and the CHRB. Both wield regulatory oversight of backstretch veterinarians. The question of each is: How much?

“The Veterinary Medical Board is seeking to discipline Dr. Blea for practices and procedures that all fall within the bounds of known, settled, and accepted practices within the zones that fall within the jurisdiction of the CHRB, and under which racetrack veterinarians have been operating for years with no notice from the Veterinary Medical Board that it has other, conflicting ideas about appropriate practice,” the filing states.

According to the filing, CHRB chair Greg Ferraro, who formerly served on the Veterinary Medical Board, has issued a joint declaration explaining that the veterinary board is basing the bulk of its accusation “on misconceptions of how veterinary medicine is practiced in the racetrack environment (which is more analogous to an agricultural or herd practice in many cases than it is to a general small animal practice) and misinterpretation of the governing statutes.”

Even if Blea is successful on Wednesday, however, it's unclear how UC Davis will act. The TDN asked the university if it would permit Blea to resume his equine medical director duties if a stay is issued.

A UC Davis spokesperson responded in an email that, “At this point, he remains on administrative leave. No decision beyond that can be made until we know more specifics.”

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