The Horsemen`s Newsletter

The Horsemen’s
Newsletter
June 2005
Spring Fling
raises $6,000 for
cancer aid
T
he Maryland Horsemen’s Assistance
Fund’s Spring Fling was a huge success.
Several hundred members of the
horse community turned out for the
event on June 8 at the Mt. Washington
Tavern in Baltimore, helping to raise
more than $6,000 for backstretch workers facing hardships from cancer.
The final tally could be much higher,
because the Spring Fling is one of the
frontrunners in the Mt. Washington Tavern’s guest bartender contest. The
restaurant is hosting a series of charity
events throughout the summer, and will
donate $10,000 to the group with the
highest receipts in food and drink at the
bar. Contest results will be announced
in November.
The Maryland Horsemen’s Assistance
Fund thanks everyone who helped the
Spring Fling reach its goal of horsemen
helping horsemen.
Following are those generous individuals who donated or purchased items in
the live and silent auctions. Special
thanks goes to J F Sports Marketing, for
its assistance in the production of bobbleheads.
Slate of nominees for MTHA
Board of Directors election
Ballots for the Board of Directors election will be mailed to all MTHA
members in early July.
Deadline for return is August 1.
A slate of nominees, developed by the Nominating Committee, was presented to the Board and general membership at the MTHA’s annual meeting
held June 1 at the Ramada Inn Laurel. There were no nominations from the
floor.
Following is the list of candidates, in the order in which they appear on
the ballot. The order was drawn the same way post positions are drawn for
a race.
Owners
1. Wayne A. Harrison
2. Russell C. Schalk, Jr.
3. Phillip L. Capuano
4. Morris E. Balser
5. Richard J. Hoffberger
6. Lucy C. Kessler
7. Christine E. Bricker
8. Richard J. Meyer
9. James A. Blackwell
10. Howard M. Bender
11. Arnold A. Heft
12. Paul L. Fowler, Jr.
13. H. Neil Glasser
14. William T. Fitzgibbons, Sr.
See Spring Fling, page 3
Trainers
15. Lawrence E. Murray
16. Mary E. Eppler
17. John J. Robb
18. Philip B. Schoenthal
19. Kenneth M. Cox
20. Joseph W. Delozier, 3rd
21. Donna B. Lockard
22. Linda S. Gaudet
23. Timothy L. Keefe
24. Dale Capuano
25. Robert W. Kelly
26. Katharine M. Voss
27. Valora A. Testerman
28. John V. Alecci
Horsemen reminded to use proper
procedures for manure, trash
Donors
Kathleen Adams, Ted the Barber,
Karin De Francis, Travis Dunkelberger,
Ryan Fogelsonger, Georganne Hale,
Steve Hamilton, Richard Hoffberger,
Cassandra Hoos, Lauren Keppel, Maryland Million Ltd., John Mooney, Jim
Mudgett, National Thoroughbred Racing
Association, Nutramax, Fran Raffetto,
Carmen Reyes, William Rickman, Thor-
Volume 15 • Number 6
eminder to trainers and all backstretch employees: Environmental
regulations require that manure containers be used in the proper manner.
Straw and other materials should be
placed directly in the container, as far
down as possible. Material should not
be placed in an already full container.
The area around containers must be
R
swept free of debris. Running water
should not be used to clean the area, as
contaminated water presents an environmental hazard.
Failure to comply with these guidelines could lead to sanctions by the Environmental Protection Agency, which
monitors the situation at all three Maryland tracks.
Maryland schedule
during Colonial Downs meet
Board actions
Meeting held June 1 in Laurel
Members present: Richard J. Hoffberger, President; John V. Alecci,
Howard M. Bender, Dale Capuano,
Phillip L. Capuano, William T. Fitzgibbons, Sr., Arnold A. Heft, John J. Robb,
Katharine M. Voss
Members absent: Richard J. Meyer,
Vice President; Anthony W. Dutrow,
Paul L. Fowler, Jr., Linda S. Gaudet,
Lawrence E. Murray, Valora A. Testerman
MTHA
The MTHA will continue to provide its full range of services to members. The
MTHA’s race track office will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday, at Laurel Park.
Racing Office
The Racing Office will be open at Pimlico from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday through
Tuesday, accepting entries for Colonial Downs.
Licensing Office
There will be no Maryland Racing Commission Licensing Office in operation at
Maryland tracks during this time.
Backstretch personnel (grooms, hotwalkers, etc.) will not be able to secure new
licenses or renewals. However, owners and trainers may follow their customary
procedure, submitting applications to the Commission’s headquarters in Baltimore.
For more information, contact the Commission at (410) 230-6330.
Annual audit
The audit of the MTHA’s financial
statements for 2004 was presented. The
audit was performed by Ellin & Tucker,
Chartered.
Horsemen’s Bookkeeper
Simulcast extension
The Horsemen’s Bookkeeper’s office will be open at Laurel Park from 8:30 a.m.
to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
The board agreed, by unanimous
vote, to give its consent for Laurel/Pimlico to simulcast any and all races to outof-state locations, through December 31,
2005, with the exception of those races
conducted after 6:15 p.m. local time.
Gate Schooling
The starting gate will be available for schooling on the following days: Bowie—7
a.m. to 10 a.m., Tuesday and Friday; Laurel—7 a.m. to 9 a.m., Wednesday and Saturday; Pimlico—7 a.m. to 10 a.m., Monday and Thursday.
Committee
bulletins
Bleeder Certificates
The deadline for submission of bleeder certificates remains the same—i.e. no
more than 10 days after the occurrence. Bleeder certificates should be faxed to the
Racing Commission’s main office at (410) 333-8308.
Bowie
Pimlico Turf
Backstretch chairman Phil Capuano
reported:
• The soccer field is not finished, because there is no working equipment to
cut the grass.
• The race track condition has improved, but there are still problems with
stones and rocks.
• Manure containers and trash bins
are not being filled properly, and hoses
are being used in an unauthorized manner (see Thoughts and comment on
page 4).
The Pimlico turf course will be closed during the Colonial Downs meet.
Phone number for the Colonial Downs Racing Office: (877) 482-7223
John Franzone named to board of
Maryland Horsemen’s Assistance Fund
Backstretch chairman Bill Fitzgibbons
reported no problems at the present
time.
Laurel
Dale Capuano said the track surface
has been hard; track management is taking steps to resolve the situation.
MTHA Web site
Visit www.mdhorsemen.com to
view past issues of The Horsemen’s
Newsletter. The MTHA Web site also
details Maryland’s medication and
claiming rules.
JIM MCCUE
Pimlico
John
Franzone, a current
member and former chairman of
the
Maryland
Racing Commission, has been
named to the
board of the
Maryland Horsemen’s Assistance Fund.
Mr. Franzone’s appointment fills a vacancy created last summer by the death
of Frank Hopkins. Both Mr. Hopkins and
Mr. Franzone have proved strong advocates for horsemen during lengthy service on the Racing Commission.
“I am truly honored to be asked to fill
the place once held by Frank,” said Mr.
Franzone. “Not only was he a great
friend of racing, but Frank was also a
personal friend. I will do my best to con-
tribute my efforts to the Assistance Fund
with the same caring attitude and compassion that he evidenced throughout
the years.
“Improving the facilities and quality
of life on the backstretch is of utmost importance to me,” said Mr. Franzone.
“And I have always held in high regard
the work of the Assistance Fund.”
The Assistance Fund works closely
with the MTHA, but is a separate organization founded in 1947 to provide necessary financial assistance to eligible employees actively working at Maryland
race tracks and/or thoroughbred farms.
The Assistance Fund is supported by
starting gate fees, fines levied by the
stewards and the Racing Commission,
and by private donations.
Rich Meyer is the current president of
the Assistance Fund.
Spring Fling, from page 1
Recreation
report
oughbred Owners and Breeders Association, Jerry Trone, Lou Ulman and
Bridgitte Whitacre.
From Dan Mangum,
recreation director. For more
information on the MTHA’s recreation
program call (410) 437-4405.
Purchasers
Orioles tickets
JIM MCCUE
Heather Alvarada, Cathy Bosmer,
Chris Bricker, J. Brightbill, Country Life,
Jerry Dzierwinski, Christina Edwards,
Robin Graham, Melinda Hines, Mary
Jones, Carol Kaye-Garcia, Julie Keyworth, Amy Killeen, Erin Leaf, Amy
Macko, Jim Macko, Ted Maher, Davis
Maslar, Joe McFarland, Edwin Merryman, Ted Mudge, Jim Mudgett, John
Mullikin, Larry Murray, P. Pruitt, Fran
Raffetto, Ryan Scott, Bruce Spizler, Lori
Testerman and Brandon Whitacre.
Want a Cowboy Steve Hamilton
bobblehead to go with your winner’s
circle picture? A limited number of
these items, sold at the Spring Fling,
are still available. Call (410) 265-6843.
Health Fairs fulfill their mission
Rich Meyer, chairman of the MTHA’s
Health and Welfare Committee, reported a strong turnout at the Health Fairs
held in May at all three tracks.
“There is no doubt that Health Fairs,
sponsored each year by the MTHA and
Maryland Horsemen’s Assistance Fund,
are serving their purpose,” said Mr. Mey-
IN MEMORIAM
Mel Gross, 58, a former trainer in
the Mid-Atlantic region, died June 5. Mr.
Gross’s best runners included Stellarette
and Dumdedumdedum, winners, respectively, of the 1983 and 1985 runnings of the Barbara Fritchie Handicap.
The Horsemen’s
Newsletter
Published monthly by the
Maryland
Thoroughbred
Horsemen’s
Association, Inc.
6314 Windsor Mill Road,
Baltimore, Md. 21207;
(410) 265-6842;
fax (410) 265-6841;
e-mail: mdhorsemen@erols.com
Web site: www.mdhorsemen.com
The Horsemen’s Newsletter
reports on issues and events of interest
to owners and trainers
in Maryland.
Your suggestions are welcome.
er. “Tests made available to all participants uncovered a number of serious,
but treatable conditions. These individuals are now being offered follow-up care
with Dr. Harry Harris at the Backstretch
Health Center.”
Health Fairs and the Backstretch
Health Center are offered free of charge
to all backstretch workers. The Health
Fairs were conducted by Adventist
HealthCare.
The two latest winners of the Orioles
Ticket drawings are Edmund Benson
and B.J. Jones, both at Bowie.
Bay Sox tickets
The MTHA has distributed more than
200 Bowie Bay Sox tickets, free of
charge, to backstretch workers at
Bowie, Laurel and Pimlico.
Softball
Softball will continue at 6 p.m. on Fridays at Pimlico, except in the event of
rain.
Donations
The following generous people recently donated clothing, reading material and/or other items for distribution on
the backstretch: Kay Christman, Fran
Clemens, Gene Gilhooly, Sylvia and
Arnold Heft, Patricia Kelly, Lana Reid,
Bruce Spizler, Linda Wojciechowski and
Frank Wright.
Horsemen’s calendar
RACING
Colonial Downs . . . June 17 through Aug. 9
Pimlico . . . . . . . . Aug. 12 through Aug. 26
Laurel . . . . . . . . . . . . Sept. 8 through Dec. 31
Timonium . . . . . . . . Aug. 27 through Sept. 5
MARYLAND MILLION DAY
October 8 at Laurel
FASIG-TIPTON MIDLANTIC
AUCTIONS AT TIMONIUM
(410) 392-5555
Two-Year-Olds in Training and
Horses of Racing Age . . . . . . . . . . . June 28
(Breeze date June 27)
Eastern Fall Yearlings . . . . . . . . . . Oct. 3-5
(Entries close July 11)
December Mixed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dec. 4, 5
(Entries close Sept. 20)
OUT-OF-STATE AUCTIONS
Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company
Two-Year-Olds in Training
and Horses of Racing Age
Ocala, Fla. (352) 237-2154 . . . . . . June 21, 22
Fasig-Tipton Kentucky July
Selected Yearlings
Lexington, Ky. (859) 255-1555 . . . July 18, 19
Saratoga Selected Yearlings
Fasig-Tipton New York, Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
(516) 328-1800 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Aug. 9, 10
New York Breeders Sales Co. Yearlings
Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
(518) 691-0345 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Aug. 11, 12
Fasig-Tipton New York
Preferred Yearlings, Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
(516) 328-1800 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Aug. 14, 15
Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company
Selected/Open Yearlings
Ocala, Fla. (352) 237-2154 . . . . . . Aug. 22-25
Keeneland September Yearlings
Lexington, Ky. (800) 456-3412. . . Sept. 12-24
Check the
MTHA Web site at
www.mdhorsemen.com
for notice
of the next
Board Meeting
Hoofprints
Dogwood Dominion Award
Nominations are being accepted for
the annual Dogwood Dominion award,
honoring an unsung hero of the Thoroughbred racing industry.
Nominations should be received no
later than June 27 and be mailed or
faxed to: Mary Jane Howell, Dogwood
Stable, P.O. Box 1549, Aiken, S.C.
29802; fax (803) 642-2747. For more information visit www.dogwoodstable.com.
MHBA Yearling Show
Ben Perkins Sr. will serve as judge of
the 71st annual Maryland Horse Breed-
ers Association Yearling Show, to be
held June 26 at Timonium Fairgrounds.
Starting time is 10 a.m.
A crab feast will take place the
evening before the show, at Maryland
Stallion Station in Glyndon.
For more information call the MHBA
at (410) 252-2100.
Maryland Fund Advisory
Committee
The following individuals have been
appointed by the Maryland Racing Commission to serve on the Maryland Fund
Advisory Committee through June 1,
2006: Lou Raffetto, mile track representative; Jack Mosner, half-mile track representative; Ann Merryman and J.
William Boniface, Maryland Horse
Breeders Association representatives;
and John Franzone, Maryland Racing
Commission representative. Mr. Franzone serves as chairman.
Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred
cited for general excellence
Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred magazine
received the American Horse Publications general excellence award for state
and regional publications in 2004. This is
the third consecutive year the magazine
published by the Maryland Horse Breeders Association has been so honored.
MTHA
6314 Windsor Mill Road
Baltimore, Maryland 21207
June 2005
Thoughts and comment
orsemen have enough problems
these days without bringing on new
ones for themselves.
A small minority is making a bad situation for all of us by failing to follow basic, simple procedures in filling manure
containers and trash bins. You can see it
all over, although it’s especially prevalent at Bowie. (See article on page 1.)
Huge piles of manure and trash are
not only unsightly, but dangerous.
Often, people do not take the time to
deposit the manure all the way down
into the container. This can create the illusion of a solid surface when there is
H
none. Recently someone was seriously
injured after stepping into an unseen
gap created by this very problem.
Track management often gets criticized by horsemen when there are
things that need fixing on the backstretch. And sometimes it is tough to get
management to make improvements.
But it’s hard to complain about management’s failings when we have obvious faults of our own.
When you’re right, you’re right, and
this time horsemen are in the wrong.
/Phil Capuano, MTHA Director and
Bowie Backstretch Chairman
MTHA Board of Directors
Richard J. Hoffberger
President
Richard J. Meyer
Vice President
John V. Alecci
Howard M. Bender
Dale Capuano
Phillip L. Capuano
Anthony W. Dutrow
William T. Fitzgibbons, Sr.
Paul L. Fowler, Jr.
Linda S. Gaudet
Arnold A. Heft
Lawrence E. Murray
John J. Robb
Valora A. Testerman
Katharine M. Voss