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No Decisions Made in First Hearing in Urban Service Boundary Lawsuit

The first hearing in the lawsuit filed by the Fayette Alliance against the Lexington, Kentucky Urban County Council over the Urban Service Boundary's produced no decisions at the October 5 meeting; instead, both parties were asked to file additional briefs over the next two weeks. The news is according to a press release distributed by the Fayette Alliance.

The Fayette Alliance is alleging that the Council's decision to expand Lexington's Urban Service Boundary–a circular boundary around the downtown designed to protect Kentucky farmland–was not legal. The Alliance clams that the decision, “violated the Kentucky statutes governing the drafting of comprehensive plans, which require that those plans be based on data, research and analysis.” Moreover, they say, “the decision defied historical precedent, which is clear that any decision to expand the USB in the past has been made by the Planning Commission.”

Attorneys for the city of Lexington have filed a motion to dismiss the case, arguing that since the formal re-zoning has not yet taken place, the Alliance does not have the right to pursue litigation.

The Alliance said that the planning commission will be discussing recommendations on which of the five proposed areas might be rezoned for construction at a meeting Thursday, Oct. 19 at 1:30 p.m. in the Phoenix Building at 101 East Vine Street in Lexington. The meeting is open to the public.

Those interested in providing public input to the Planning Commission may do so on Imagine Lexington's Urban Growth Management website.

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GISW Arklow Among Thoroughbred Makeover Entrants

Out of the 404 entrants, the leading earner in this week's Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, presented by the Thoroughbred Charities of America, at the Kentucky Horse Park is GISW Arklow (Arch).

After being gelded once his racing career ended last year at this time, the former Brad Cox trainee with a $3,025,996 in earnings over a seven-year career for Donegal Racing will be ridden in the event by Gina Gans in the field hunting division. The 9-year-old will jump obstacles at the Horse Park's grass steeplechase course.

Recently retired racehorses from across the U.S. will participate in the largest Thoroughbred retraining competition in the world in various disciplines including barrel racing, competitive trail, dressage, jumping, polo, ranch work and freestyle with Keeneland serving as a major sponsor.

Click here for more information.

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Mount Fee Increase For All Kentucky Racetracks

The Jockeys' Guild has reached an agreement with the Kentucky HBPA and the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association on a mount fee increase effective Nov. 29, which is opening day of the Turfway Park Holiday meet, the organization said in a release Wednesday.

The mount fee schedule calls for a minimum fee of $125 at all Kentucky racetracks, including Churchill Downs, Keeneland, Ellis Park, Kentucky Downs and Turfway Park. This agreement also provides for $500 minimum fee in races with purses of $1 million or more.

“On behalf of our members who ride in Kentucky, I would like to thank the Kentucky HBPA and the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association for working with the Guild to reach this agreement,” said Terry Meyocks, President and CEO of Jockeys' Guild. “Special thanks to Senator Damon Thayer, for his assistance in reaching this agreement. Without his support, it would not have been accomplished.”

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission's Rules Committee passed Oct. 4 a unanimous motion recommending this scale to the full commission for consideration and anticipated approval. Once approved, the proposed amendment to the administrative regulation will be filed with the Legislative Research Commission to follow the rule making process and allow for written and public comment. The agreements with the Kentucky HBPA and the KTA will remain in effect until the regulation has been formally adopted, which will likely be next year.

“I was pleased to advocate for a pay increase for the jockeys,” said Sen. Damon Thayer, Majority Leader of the Kentucky Senate. “Those who risk their lives every day at our tracks should be paid a fee commensurate with Kentucky's position of having the top purses in North America. In particular, I would like to thank trainer Dale Romans as a leader in the KHBPA, for facilitating in reaching the agreement and to Commissioner Charlie O'Connor for his role at the Commission in moving forward with the adoption of the new regulation.”

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Arcangelo Connections First To Take The New Vocations Breeders’ Cup Pledge

New Vocations, the largest racehorse adoption agency in the country, has received its first pledge which was made by MGISW Arcangelo's (Arrogate) trainer Jena Antonucci and owner Jon Ebbert of Blue Rose Farm, the organization said in a release Wednesday morning.

This is the 14th annual Breeders' Cup Pledge, in which connections of Breeders' Cup contenders are encouraged to earmark a percentage of their championship earnings to support the charity's mission to rehabilitate, retrain and rehome retired racehorses. To date, the initiative has raised over $1,090,000 in support.

“It's no secret how important it is to our team that we continue to properly transition Thoroughbreds to their next careers,” said Antonucci. “The tireless work New Vocations does is and always has been leading this sector of the industry. We are proud to pledge our support for their continued work and commitment to ensuring the best placement through their program.”

“We are thrilled to have Jena and Jon's support in helping us launch this year's Pledge,” said Anna Ford, New Vocations' Thoroughbred Program Director. “The last two years have been very challenging as the costs associated with caring for the horses and running the program continue to increase. The Pledge offers an easy way for owners and trainers to give back to the horses and support their transition into new careers.”

Last year's pledge raised over $140,000, in which over 60 championship contenders had owners and/or trainers who pledged a percentage of their Breeders' Cup earnings. The total from a year ago was driven by a record nine horses with pledging connections–Caravel (Mizzen Mast), Flightline (Tapit), Forte (Violence), Goodnight Olive (Ghostzapper), Malathaat, Meditate (Ire) (No Nay Never), Tuesday (Galileo {Ire}), Victoria Road (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}) and Wonder Wheel (Into Mischief) –winning their races on Future Stars Friday and Championship Saturday.

New Vocations will continue to seek pledges from owners and trainers until Nov. 2. Click here for pledge information or by contact anna@horseadoption.com or carey@horseadoption.com.

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