Have a comment or question about this week's update? Send an e-mail to davidh@texasthoroughbred.com. Read past updates in the Executive Director's Update archive.
CHICKASAW NATION SET TO BE LONE STAR PARK’S NEW OWNER ON OCTOBER 14
The auction of Lone Star Park didn’t take long this past Wednesday as the $27-million stalking horse bid made by Global Gaming Solutions, a subsidiary of the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma, proved to be the winning offering when no higher bids were forthcoming. Penn National Gaming Inc. had been expected to challenge with an offer, but failed to qualify as a potential bidder.
The sale of Lone Star Park by Magna Entertainment Corporation, part of the reduction of MEC’s racetrack holdings, now awaits approval of a Delaware bankruptcy judge at a hearing on October 14.
The Texas Racing Commission must also approve the transfer of the racing license. Before any TRC hearing, the Chickasaw Nation will have to satisfy a provision in the Texas Racing Act requiring that Texas residents own a majority interest in the racetrack. Who are the Texas residents ready to step forward?
I haven’t heard any names mentioned, but you and I both know the Texas horsemen with deep pockets and an abiding interest in making their home state’s flagship track one of the best in North America.
Global Gaming officials reportedly have a plan to satisfy the residency requirement, according to John Elliott, chief executive officer of the Chickasaw subsidiary.
With the Chickasaws having a significant vested interest in Texas, they can expect to be a big part of any legislative initiative to find new sources of revenue for purses and the Texas breed program.
TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE FOR TEXAS HORSE RACING HALL OF FAME CEREMONIES
Tickets remain available at $125 each for this Saturday’s Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame festivities at Retama Park beginning at 4pm. Following the induction of Harold Goodman, Jeff Carr, Texas Thoroughbred Horse of the Year Got Koko, champion Texas Quarter Horse Pass Over and famous Quarter Horse sire Top Deck, there will be a scrumptious buffet dinner followed by the evening racing card.
RMTC TAKES INITIATIVE TO ADDRESS LAB QUALIFICATIONS AND INTEGRITY ISSUES
The Racing Medication and Testing Consortium (RMTC) board of directors met in Louisville, KY, on September 29 and moved forward with its initiative to significantly change the structure of drug testing of racehorses in the U.S. The board appointed a committee to oversee the implementation of the Drug Testing Initiative (DTI) Task Force recommendations on quality assurance and laboratory accreditation programs for U.S. horse racing drug testing laboratories, of which there are 18.
The RMTC board also addressed other integrity issues, including the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and how they may affect pre-race examinations by regulatory veterinarians.
Research on corticosteroids commonly used in racing and the residual effects of Butazolidin beyond 24-hour administration were subjects of discussions that may lead to future recommendations on threshold levels and administration times.
RMTC Chairman Dr. Robert Lewis, noted Elgin equine surgeon and a TTA Life Member, said, “RMTC anticipates that by next year, it will be in a position to make recommendations for threshold levels and/or withdrawal times on these medications.” He noted, “Most therapeutic medication infractions are simple management mistakes. Our hope is this information will help veterinarians and trainers avoid these common rule violations.”
TTA STALLION SEASON AUCTION OF 2010 BREEDING SEASONS NOW OPEN ONLINE
The Texas Thoroughbred Association’s annual auction of breeding seasons to donated stallions opened online for bids this week on TTA’s website, www.texasthoroughbred.com. Bids may be placed by linking to the special auction page, or by completing a mail bid form authorizing a TTA staff member to bid on your behalf. All bidding closes at 5pm CDT on Wednesday, October 28.
Stallion owners have designated whether the proceeds of successful bids will go to TTA’s General Fund, the TTA PAC or the Texas Thoroughbred Educational Fund. A minimum bid requirement is shown for each listed stallion. Keep checking the list of stallions as new seasons will be added as they become available.
Fast furlongs...The first of three Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series telecasts airs on ESPN Classic from 4 to 6:45pm (CDT) this Saturday with the Dixiana Breeders’ Futurity and the Shadwell Turf Mile at Keeneland and the Oak Tree Mile, Lady’s Secret and Goodwood originating from Santa Anita...Sam Houston Race Park has streamlined its admission process for live racing by making general parking free, but raising admission prices to $6 for adults and $4 for senior citizens...Equibase News Service reports that handle on U.S. races in September came in less than 1% below the same month in 2008, but the wagering decline for the year remains down more than 10% and purse revenue has dropped more than 7%...Keeneland’s catalog for the November Breeding Stock Sale will number 4,702 lots, down in numbers by approximately 1,000 from 2008 and most of the drop off is accounted for by fewer weanlings being offered...A summary of global foal production for 2008 shows the USA with 28.1%, Australia in second with 15.2%, Ireland third with 10.4%, followed by Argentina (6.8%), Japan (5.7%), Great Britain (5.4%) and France (4.6%)...Jeff True, former executive director of the Texas Quarter Horse Association, is leaving his position as president of United Tote for the past six years on November 1...Rachel Alexandra has left Saratoga and returned to Churchill Downs, the site of her memorable 20-length Kentucky Oaks win, to continue her respite before she starts to get ready for a 2010 campaign...Guaranteeing a place in the 20-horse Kentucky Derby field for the winner of the Challenge Stakes at Kempton Racecourse in England proved to be a one-year try as Churchill officials have shelved the idea for 2010...The popular and prestigious Saratoga racing season will expand by four days in 2010 for a 40-day meet beginning Friday, July 23 and ending on Labor Day.