August Newsletter
Report on NMRC Meeting
The NMRC met for its regularly scheduled meeting on July 16th at the Ruidoso Downs Racetrack. At the meeting, the NMRC decided to suspend the current penalty provision regarding Clenbuterol in order to determine a proper blood test level for Clenbuterol. The NMRC will continue to test for excessive Clenbuterol levels and will handle positive cases on an individual basis. See your vet for dosage, administration, and withdrawal times.
Anabolic Steroids: NMRC Medication Committee meeting July 15, 2008
The NMRC Medication Committee discussed regulations that would effectively ban the use of anabolic steroids in race horses in New Mexico horses. The Committee will be seeking the proper blood testing level before proceeding to draft a rule. The NMRC wants the Horsemen to know that they will be given plenty of time to prepare to the rule change before the testing for anabolic steroids goes live. California, Texas, Colorado and Arizona recently announced rules that would effectively ban the use of anabolic steroids in competing race horses. A nationwide ban will probably be in effect within 6 to 9 months.
Coggins Rule
The NMRC recently reiterated its rule regarding the Coggins Test for EIA. Every horse that races in New Mexico will be required to have a current negative coggins report issued within the last twelve months in order to race at a New Mexico racetrack. If a horse’s coggins test expires during a race meet it will be allowed to run at the track where it is stabled until the meet ends. The horse will then be required to have a new coggins before it can race at any other New Mexico Racetrack.
Report on the NMHA Meeting
The NMHA held its monthly meeting on July 15th at the Circle J barbecue in Ruidoso. A new racetrack for the state was discussed; the contenders are Raton, Santa Fe, Tucumcari, and Lordsburg.
Training at Santa Fe Downs is proceeding well.
Post note: On July 17th, 61 works were recorded. The folks training at Santa Fe will be able to move to the DAA on about August 4th, 2008. Racing begins at ZIA Park on September 13, 2008.
Report on National HBPA Convention Held in Hershey, Pennsylvania
The NMHA vice president Susan Vescovo and executive director Pat Bingham attended the National HBPA meeting in Hershey, PA, which took place from July 17th to July 20th. Mr. Bingham stated that he "gained a greater appreciation for New Mexico racing after attending the meetings." Horsemen from all parts of the US are facing the same concerns as NM Horsemen currently are. These concerns include track management’s gradual move to emphasize gaming over horseracing. All Horsemen at the convention were in agreement that we must not allow track management, our race commissions, and legislators, to forget that the reason that gaming has come to the tracks is horse racing.
Zia Safety changes: equipment update
PNGI, Penn National Gaming Inc., the second largest holder of racetracks in the USA, has moved to implement new safety measures at its racetracks, one of which is Zia Park Racetrack & Black Gold Casino here in New Mexico. Among the new measures is a limit on the length of front toe grabs to two millimeters, as well as new regulations on whips. Chris McEleran, vice president of racing for PNGI, said in a statement that "Penn National Gaming endorses and embraces The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Safety Committee’s recommendations, which are sound steps toward ensuring the health and welfare of our equine participants"
Toe grabs with a height exceeding two millimeters, along with other traction devices, such as bends, jar caulks, or stickers, will be banned for horses racing or training at a PNGI racetrack. PNGI also stated that effective alternatives to whips should be pursued. (Thehorse.com)
The NMHA will be looking into this matter with management at Zia Park to determine the effect on the Horsemen who race at ZIA Park.
New Racetrack Update
The state of New Mexico is allowed to license only one more race track, and Raton is working hard to get it. This Thursday, July 9th, the Racing Commission met at Raton’s historic Shuler Theater to a full audience of "Racing in Raton" supporters. The Raton meeting was the first of three meetings the Commission intends to hold (the others are in Pojoaque and Tucumcari) before it reaches a decision on where the new racetrack will be. If successful, Raton intends to hold fifty two summer days of racing in the first year. (2010)
Clenbuterol Testing
The NMRC has decided to suspend the current penalty phase regarding post race testing for Clenbuterol, This was done so that a proper blood test level can be determined. The NMRC will continue to test horses for Clenbuterol levels. If the level is found to be excessive in a particular horse, the trainer will be called before the stewards. As with the use of any medication, please consult your veterinarian concerning dosage, withdrawal times and test level information.
All recent Clenbuterol levels that exceed the published threshold levels will be referred to the state of New Mexico’s Attorney General’s office for handling. The Horsemen are assured that the attorney General’s office will deal with each case in a fair and expeditious manner.
If you have any questions, please contact Pat Bingham at the NMHA at 505 266 7056.
We thank the Horsemen who were present at the recent NMRC medication committee meeting for their input and support of their fellow Horsemen.
Announcements
· Check out the new NMHA blog! News and information are updated constantly, so check it out, and visit often. The link is blog.newmexicohorsemen.com
· Congratulations to the connections of Heartswideopen on her victory in the July 19th Rainbow Derby a QH Grade 1 held at Ruidoso Downs.
· Congratulations are also in order for the connections of Stolis Winner, who won the Rainbow Futurity QH Grade 1 at Ruidoso Downs on July 20th!
· Race results can be found on our website, www.newmexicohorsemen.com through the Equibase link.
· NMHA officers: The following Horsemen were recently elected officers of the NMHA for the 2008-2009 term:
Terry Walker: President
Telephone: 915 474 3580
Susan Vescovo: Vice President
Telephone: 505 644 5566
Bobby Dan Crenshaw: Secretary/Treasurer
Telephone: 505 648 4243
Congratulations to Terry, Susan, and Bobby Dan!
July newsletter corrections: The Zia Park Race Meet will start on September 13th
Santa Fe Training
A few weeks ago, there were some doubts as to the suitability of Santa Fe Downs, which had laid dormant over ten years, to accommodate the Horsemen for training while the National Junior Arabian Horseshow and the National Junior Rodeo takes place at the Expo New Mexico State Fairgrounds and Sunray Park, respectively. These doubts have proven to be unfounded, as the Horsemen have found the Downs very amenable for their needs. The track’s composition was tested and was found to be in excellent condition, and the barns are in good repair. The Santa Fe track will be in use until the National Junior Arabian show (held at the Downs at Albuquerque) is completed at the beginning of August. We thank all the Horsemen for their positive attitude and flexibility!
Remembering Luke Kruytbosch
Our condolences to the friends and family of the late track announcer Luke Kruytbosch, who passed away Monday July 16th at the age of forty seven. Mr. Kruytbosch, who called races at Sunland Park in the 1990s, was the announcer at Churchill Downs for the past ten Kentucky Derbies. Mr. Kruytbosch was considered by many to be one of the finest thoroughbred callers in the nation. He is survived by his father and sister. (Bloodhorse.com)
West Nile Virus
A horse in McKinley County has tested positive for West Nile Virus. This is the first equine positive so far this year. Since the animal spent time in Arizona before returning to New Mexico, there is no definitive evidence that mosquitoes in the area are carrying the virus, but, according to State public health veterinarian Dr. Paul Ettestad, recent rains have provided a breeding ground for potentially infected mosquitoes.
Prevention of West Nile Virus
Your vet can provide you with a vaccine against West Nile Virus as the first step of prevention. Step two would be to remove all stagnant water that has collected, such as unused water tanks, old tires, etc. Clean water tanks at least once a week. Drill holes in any containers that are left outside so water does not accumulate.
Contraction of West Nile Virus
West Nile Virus will display symptoms that are similar to EPM and equine encephalitis. Because a drug test is required, be sure to call your vet if you see any of the following symptoms at any time of year:
- General loss of appetite
- Depression/Lethargy
- Fever
- Weakness of hind limbs
- Paralysis of hind limbs
- Impaired vision
- Ataxia (weakness)
- Head pressing
- Aimless wandering
- Convulsions (seizures)
- Inability to swallow
- Walking in circles
- Hyper excitability
- Coma
mobile.kqre.com, www.westnile.state.pa.us


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