October Newsletter, 2008
From the President
Exciting things are happening with the New Mexico Horsemen's Association. Many people have made excellent comments on our new blog, and we thank everyone for their active participation. Ruidoso finished up a successful meet on Labor Day and we are now seeing some fine horses running at ABQ downs and ZIA Park. Across the nation we have seen a multitude of safety and medication changes that parallel the discussion here in New Mexico. We encourage the Horsemen to let us know what they think about the changes and proposals that may arise. I would like to give my congratulations to the New Track committees members at Zia Park and ABQ Downs, and thank them for their service. I wish all of the Horsemen a successful meet wherever they may be running, and look forward to seeing all of you.
Sincerely,
Terry Walker, President NMHA
From the Executive Director
Over the past eighteen months, our industry has seen unprecedented change. During these few months, rules have been enacted to limit the height of toe grabs on the front shoes of racing Quarter Horses and Thoroughbreds and the use of safety reins have been mandated. A nationwide effort is on to curtail the use of anabolic steroids in race horses. In New mexico, such a limitation is expected to become a rule by January 1, 2009. All of these changes have been mandated for the safety of the horse and rider and to dispel a negative public image of our sport. Now is the time for our industry to step up in other ways. We need to get the word out that our sport is still full of excitement and promise, and showcases the greatest of all athletes: the horse. I ask all of you to become an ambassador for the sport of horse racing and to reach out to the public and let them know what a grand sport horse racing truly is. Without action on our part, the perception of our sport and all that participate in it will surely decline.
Best wishes,
Patrick Bingham, Executive Director NMHA
NMRC Meeting: Information
And Updates
T
he New Mexico Racing Commission met in regular session on Thursday, September 18, 2008. The following was discussed:Toe Grabs
Further reduction in the height of toe grabs on front shoes of racing thoroughbreds from 4mm to 2mm. was discussed The toe grab height on the front shoes of quarter horses would not be changed and would remain at the present 4 mm. The penalty for violation of the proposed amendment to the rule would remain the same as present: horses will be scratched, and the trainer of the horse will face the possibility of discipline.
The proposed amendment to the NMRC rule will be voted upon for adoption by the NMRC at the regular NMRC meeting, set for October 23, 2008 at ZIA Park in Hobbs, NM. From September 18 until October 22, 2008, Horsemen and other interested persons may submit any written comments on the amendment to the NMRC. You may call the Horsemen with any comments you may have at 505 266 7056. You may also fax any comments that you have to the NMRC at 505.222.0713 or to the NMHA at 505.266.0643. Horsemen , this is your opportunity to be heard on this subject.
RACE DATES
The awarding of Race Dates for 2009 was tabled by the NMRC to October 16, 2008. On October 16, 2008 the NMRC will hold a special meeting to discuss and award race dates for 2009. We will post the race dates for 2009 once they are approved by the NMRC.As always if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Pat Bingham at 505.266.7056 or on his cell phone at 505.205.6650. This notice is also posted on our blog (where we post day to day news). In order to access us on the internet, go to www.newmexicohorsemen.com and press the link button at bottom of the home page or just type www.blog.newmexicohorsemen.com into your internet browser. Please feel free to leave comments!
Coggins, Steroids, etc.,
A Few Updates
The NMRC medication committee met September 10th. The following was discussed:
Coggins
In order to gain entrance to any New Mexico race track, a horse must have a negative Coggins test taken within the last one year period (365 days or less). If the Coggins certificate expires while the horse is on the track's grounds, the horse will be allowed to stay within the perimeter of the track's grounds and compete in races, but should the horse leave the premises, it will not be allowed back on to any of the New Mexico racetracks unless it has obtained an updated negative Coggins certificate.
Anabolic Steroids
The Medication committee of the NMRC discussed further action regarding oversight of the use of anabolic steroids in horses that race in New Mexico. A subcommittee was formed with the purpose of developing an outreach program that will provide current information regarding the subject to trainers and owners who race their horses in New Mexico. The outreach program will be part of a public/private initiative that is designed to educate and inform Horsemen regarding national trends in the industry, along with future plans regarding the use of steroids in horses that race in New Mexico. A target date to further control the use of steroids in racehorses has been set by the NMRC for January 1st, 2009.
Announcements
Thanks to everyone who has posted their opinions on the blog and through e mail. We really appreciate hearing everyone’s opinions the news and events that affect New Mexico Racing.
How do you feel about the new format? E mail us at Kirsten.nmha@yahoo.com
Send us your pictures! If you have any pictures pertaining to New Mexico racing, send them to us at Kirsten.nmha@yahoo.com so we can use them on the website or blog. Be sure to put a caption of horse and jockey, owner and trainer. Thanks!
Congratulations to Stolis Winner on his victory in The All American Futurity at Ruidoso Downs. Stolis Winner was ridden by jockey G.R Carter Jr. and is owned by Jerry Windham and trained by Heath Taylor. Congratulations are also in order for the connections of Jet Black Patriot and Jess Zooming,finishedand third respectively.
Zia Park will hold its race meet from 9/13 to 12/9
The Downs at ABQ is running from August 16 to Noember 16
Sunland Park begins racing on December 12 and ends April 22.
Zia Park Track
Committee
Congratulations to the new ZIA Park track
committee!
The trainer members are as follows:
Terry Walker: 1 925 474 3580
Wes Giles: 1 801 557 4287
Sherry Armstrong: 1 915 526 0522
Emmitt Burlesmith: 1 806 297 3263;
1 575 639 0466
The Owner members are:
Weldon Jenkins 1 432 209 1911;
1 432 758 9061
Byron Richie: 575 393 2654
Nelda Whatley: 1 915 373 5006
Larry Strain: 1
-432-661-6345We thank all of you for your time and effort!
Foal Count: Declining
Percentages in New Mexico
New Mexico, and states across the nation are experiencing a decline in live foal births/year as reported by the jockey club. The United States as a whole has seen an estimated 5% decline in live foal births, while, New Mexico, which had 997 live foal births in 2007, has only reported 911 for 2008, an 8.6% decline. the decline could be attributed to the 6.3% and 3.7% decline in stallions and brood mares in the state, respectively. To see the full results of the census, visit www.jockeyclub.com.
Jockeyclub.com
Jockey’s Guild Wage Increase Proposal
On September 1st, the Jockey’s Guild proposed an increase in jockey mount fees. The proposed mount fee is detailed in the chart below. All Horsemen are highly encouraged to comment on this proposal. Your opinion is imperative to the decision making process. Call us at 505 266 7056 or e mail us at Kirsten.nmha@Yahoo.com with your opinion.
DAA Track Committee
The new DAA track committee members have been elected.
Trainer embers:
Ken Grisham: 505 873 5807
Jack Dale: 505 471 1305
Tom Pierce: 505 362 7451
Jose A. Gonzales505 328 7224
Owner members,
Vance Mikkelson,: 505 864 9895
Dr. Matt Rounseville: 505 344 9332
Jay Slone: 505 294 8974
Kenneth Corrazza: 505 342 1572
.
Jose Gonzales and Dr. Rounseville were also selected to serve on the state board. Thank you all for your dedication and time!
Raton, The Racetrack, and the Job Ahead
The New Mexico Racing Commission met on Monday, August twenty fifth in order to award one New Mexico community the rights to the final racetrack in New Mexico. Santa Fe and Tucumcari were rejected, and the application of Raton was is continuing through the process. Though Raton still has some red tape to go through, the community of Raton is thrilled, and live racing is expected to begin in 2010. This will be the 6th racetrack with a casino for the state of New Mexico.
AftertheraceNM.com
A website was recently started by Patti Herson (aftertheracenm.com) in order to assist owners and trainers who own retiring horses in matching them with potential new owners. This service is free of charge, and Patty has offered to come and take pictures of the horses at ABQ Downs. This website, which is only a few months old, was started so that NM Bred Race horses have a fulfilling future once they are done racing. For more information, visit the website!
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