Fall 2009 Newsletter

The days have cooled off and Ruidoso Downs finished up a successful summer meet. The annual Zia Day for New Mexico Breds at Ruidoso was a success. Mine That Bird and his New Mexico connections led the Post Parade at this year’s All American Futurity.  The Downs at Albuquerque began their 59 day meet August 8^th, which included a State Fair program that drew crowds. Zia Park in Hobbs, New Mexico, began their race meet on September 12^th and will run for a total of 57 days this year.  The New Mexico Horsemen’s Association encountered the same difficulties that Horsemen across the nation are dealing with, mainly race date cuts for 2010. We worked very hard opposing the proposed cuts. The New Mexico Racing Commission ultimately made their decision. Without the new racetrack in Raton, New Mexico Horsemen will a 5 day cut in races from 2009 to 2010.With Raton (La Mesa Park)  in place, a total of 355 days are slated to run.  

We are pleased to note that gaming at the casinos affiliated with the five New Mexico racetracks is weathering the economic storm better than the Tribal owned casinos. This, we believe, shows that racing and race track situated casinos make for a good combination for fans.

                We would also like to congratulate our president, Terry Walker on his re-election as president. This will be Mr. Walker’s third term as president of our association. Mr. Weldon Jenkins was re-elected as Vice President, and Mr. Bobby Dan Crenshaw is our secretary. Congratulations to all the officers, and the best of luck.

                Susan Vescovo, a previous member of our board, has agreed to act as the Horsemen’s liaison for medical issues. With her knowledge and expertise, the Horsemen will be better informed and more prepared as the industry changes. Good luck to Susan.

We wish all Horsemen a successful fall meet!

                On a more serious note, racing appears to be taking a back seat to gaming at many of the race tracks that offer both forms of entertainment.  We horsemen in New Mexico must not allow our legislators to forget that the reason that we have gaming at New Mexico racetracks is to enhance our industry of racing and breeding race horses.   If you get the chance, let the legislators in New Mexico know this by taking time out of your busy day to become an ambassador of our sport.  Without you, our industry cannot flourish.  Contact Pat Bingham at the NMHA office (505.266.7056) for information regarding how to a  legislator in your area.

 

Meeting Updates

 

The Racing Commission met on Thursday, September 24, 2009 and approved a tentative construction plan for Racing at Raton (La Mesa Park). The Commission met on October 29, 2009, at Zia Park in Hobbs, NM and discussed progress at La Mesa Park.  Principals from La Mesa Park were present at the meeting and reported that plans, permits and construction was on track for the completion of a temporary casino/simulcast operation by January 31, 2010 with a grand opening held shortly thereafter.  In the meantime plans are in progress to move earth to create the space for the race track and the barn area.  The plan is bring in the fill dirt and grade as necessary for the track’s base as well as the barn area.  This work is to be completed by December 2009.  Dennis Moore who is the track consultant at the DAA, Ruidoso and ZIA Park has been hired to build the track.  Once the dirt work is done the plan is to allow the site  to settle until early spring when the barns and other necessaries (restrooms etc.), the track rails and the track surface would be completed  Completion day is set for around late March 2010, 30 days later, horses would be allowed on the track.  1,500 barns will be constructed according to NMRC Rules. Racing is to start on Memorial Day, 2010.  The Horsemen will retain a liaison person to report progress on the construction of the facility.  Reports will be posted on the internet at the Horsemen’s website and through written notices to horsemen.  The NMHA will have input into the backside  as it is built.

 

The Racing Commission will take steps at its upcoming 11/19/09 to make Clenbuterol a zero tolerance medication.  The current levels apply to  Clenbuterol (which is used as a breathing aid in certain horses) appear to have opened the door to certain abuse of the medication by a few.  Be sure to contact your vet for further information.

 

 

Jock Mount Increase Proposal

 

The jockey colony and the NMHA

State Board have negotiated an

Increase to prevailing jock mount

At New Mexico tracks.  The

Proposed increase is subject to

Ratification by Horsemen.

Below you will find a tear off sheet on which to vote your

Approval or disapproval of the

Proposed fee increase.

 

If a voting sheet is not returned to the NMHA main office by 11/25/09 it will be assumed that the member’s intent is to ratify the negotiated increase to jock mount fees.  Call 505.266.7056 with any questions.

 

(Tear Here)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I,_____________, am a member in good standing of the New Mexico Horsemen’s Association.  I hereby ratify/reject (circle one) the increases to jock mount fees that have been negotiated by the NMHA and the New Mexico Based Jockey Colony.

 

___________________               ________________________

Print Name                                   Signature

 

Please mail your vote to:  NMHA, PO Box 8695, Albuquerque, NM      87198.  You can also fax your vote to 505.266.0643.

 

 

 

 

 

Industry-wide financial reviews to take place.

The NMRC announced that it and the Gaming Control Board would be conducting reviews of each of the racetracks’ handle and gaming to purses reporting.  The NMHA and the New Mexico State Horse Breeders Association will be included in the review process.  Any findings that are disclosed after the financial reviews are conducted will be communicated to the Horsemen and in turn to our membership

 

On October 2, 3,4 AFLAC representatives visited the DAA backside to present the company’s  accident and illness compensation  policies.  These policies are offered at a discount over the quoted market prices for individuals and other groups.  The price concession is due to negotiations that took place between the National HBPA and AFLAC some time ago.  The policies compensate policy holders with cash money if they become sick or injured.  A presentation by AFLAC will be scheduled for ZIA Park in November.

 

 

 

 

NMRC Meeting Dates: August through December

 

Thursday Nov. 19, 2009   8:30 a.m.     Executive Session

9:30 AM Publice Session

NMRC Office in Albuquerque, NM  at Jefferson/Alameda   

 

Racing Commission Office Number:  505.222.0700

 

Horsemen State Board will meet on November 18^th at 9:30 am at the Main Office in Albuquerque. 217 Palomas, NE

 

There will be no December, 2009 meetings 

 

 

 

 

Updates and Reminders

 

· The New Mexico Racing Commission has published an updated rule book.  Go to www.nmrc.state.nm.us to download a copy.

 

· Due to the changing economic situation of the United States Postal Service, it has become more difficult and expensive for the NMHA to send its regular snail mail newsletter. We would like to have more participation over the internet with the e-newsletters. Please, send us your e-mail via our blog, blog.newmexicohorsemen.com, or by sending your information to Kirsten.nmha@yahoo.com. Thanks!

 

 

 

Horsemen’s Updates

 

Kentucky Derby Winner Mine That Bird and his trainer, Horseman, Chip Woolley made a visit to Ruidoso where he led the post parade  before the running of the All American Futurity.  A record crowd came out to see him and the Futurity was won by the Paul Jones trained Running Brook Gal, owned by A & C Racing and Roping  Running Brook Gal and ridden by jockey Ramon Sanchez . The order of finish in the race was Running Brook Gal, Shesa First Ratify, First Corona Call, Favorite Cartel, Love Samba, Swingin Daddyo, Winners Cartel, Gols Victory Pop and Jess So Sixty. Brooks Midnight was scratched.

 

 

Mine that Bird also made two workout appearances at the Downs at Albuquerque during the recently completed State Fair.  A huge crowd was on hand to see him work a half mile on each occasion.  With a tremendous stride he breezed the half mile  in  48 seconds, easily bullet works for the days.  The NMHA thanks the generosity of the connections of Mine That Bird, DR. Leonard Blach and Mark Allen and Chip Woolley for providing New Mexicans the opportunity to see Mine that Bird in the post parade and during his works and gallops..

 

 

By the time that you read this our website will be updated.  We are updating the look and feel of the website to make it more current and attractive to our many viewers.   You can reach our website at www.newmexicohorsemen.com.  Press on the blog.newmexicohorsemen.com link to reach up to date information.   Thanks for helping to make our website a success.    If you would like to have an e-mail version of this newsletter sent to you please send us your e-mail address..  The associations’ by-laws and other important information are included in the web site.

 

 Track News

 

Despite lower purses, Horsemen  filled races at the DAA and State Fair Meet and the meets proved to be successful.  Congrats to the winners and all who participated.

 

Zia Park has refurbished its racing surface and has done some very attractive landscaping in the infield. The purses at ZIA Park are among the best in the state.

 

Sunland Park will open its grounds for horses on November 2, 2009.  Horses will be allowed on the track on November 8, 2009 and the winter spring meet will start on Saturday, December 12, 2009. As always we expect the meet to be very competitive.   The subject of graded stakes status for the Sunland Park Derby (previously the Winstar Derby) will be discussed in the months coming up. The Horsemen support the grading of this race.  Every year the quality of the horses that run in the Derby has  improved by leaps and bounds.  Good luck to Harold Payne and his team.

 

 

Horse rescue/retraining initiative:

 

The Horsemen are currently exploring a proposal from the non for profit New Mexico Community Foundation that would  set up a retirement program for horses when they leave the track.  The Community Foundation would be funded by private donations and grants and would be responsible for ensuring that all horses that are placed with them received the best care and development for future careers.   More on this as developments arise.

 

 

Congratulations to the recently selected ZIA Park Horsemen’s Committee.  The owner members are Weldon Jenkins, Larry Strain, Byron Ritchie and Denny Crozier.  The trainer members are Terry Walker, Wes Giles, Emmett Burlsmith and Sherry Armstrong. Donna Wellborn, is the NMHA secretary who works at the ZIA Park Horsemen’s Office.  She can be reached at 575 492 7049.  Better yet, if you are in the neighborhood, stop in and have a great cup of coffee.

 

Track safety committees:

Each racetrack in New Mexico has a Track Safety Committee whose job it is to ensure that the race track is as safe as it can be.  The Track Safety Committee discusses issues relating to race track safety and comes up with solutions to problems that may be encountered.  The Committees are made up of the stakeholders of the industry including Horsemen, Breeders, Racing Commissioners, Jockeys, Track Consultants and Superintendents,  and Track Management.

 

Horsemen at large are invited to attend the Safety Committee meetings when they take place.  All your input is considered valuable. Please attend and participate.

 

Sunray Park Track Safety Committee:

Larry Delgado, NMRC Commissioner, Steve Drake, NMRC Investigator,  Lonnie Barber, Director of Racing, Brad Boehm, Sunray Park COO, L. Paige Jackson, DVM, State Vet, Dr. Robert Swytzer, DVM, Track Vet, Steve Woods, Track Consultant, Chuck Webb from the Horse Breeders, Pat Bingham from the NMHA, Joe Ray Chavez, Ernie Edgar, Jose A. Gonzalez, NMHA members, Ken Tohill, Jockey, Casey Lambert, Jockey

 

DAA Track Safety Committee:

 

Wayne Conwell, Director of Racing, DAA, Dr. Swytzer, DVM, Track Vet, Tom Pierce, NMHA/NMHBA member, Jose Gonzalez, NMHA,  Pat Bingham, NMHA, NMRC Commissioner Delgado, Arnold Rael, NMRC Commissioner, Tony Martinez, track superintendent, Andrew Dow, Jockey, Mike Martinez, DAA Chief of Security, Rey Marquez, NMHA member

 

Sunland Park:

 

Harold Payne, Resident GM, Sunland Park, Rita Danley, NMHA/NMHBA member, Dustin Dix, Director of Racing, Arnold Rael, NMRC Commissioner, Steve Woods, Track Consultant, Susan Vescovo, NMHA Member, Ken Tohill, Jockey, Dr. Unruh, DVM, State Veterinarian.

 

We thank the Committee members for their service.

 

Thanks and best wishes to all Horsemen wherever this letter finds you.  Please make sure that you vote your preference regarding the ratification of a jock mount increase for New Mexico based jockeys.  Visit us on our website for the most up to date information for Horsemen.  Our website is www.newmexicohorsemen.com. Press on the “blog” link for up to date information.

 

Call Pat Bingham, Executive Director of the NMHA at 505.266.7056 or 505.205.6650 (cell) if you have any questions or comments regarding this newsletter or any other related concern.

 

Sincerely,

 

Pat Bingham, Executive Director, NMHA