The Horsemen’s Newsletter

March 2016 Vol. 26 • Number 3 Backstretch Community Meetings Producing Positive Results Donna O’Connor has worked on the Maryland racetracks – Laurel Park and Pimli- backstretch at Laurel Park for 15 years and co Race Course. It came up with the monthly she has seen a lot of things, but when the forum to allow residents to constructively Harry Meyerhoff Maryland Horsemen’s As- participate in the process of improving the sociation started holding open forums with industry from the ground up. Owner of the backstretch community last summer Meetings have been held at Laurel Park and then actually followed up on things that but plans are in place to also have them at were discussed she was almost speechless. Pimlico as well. “I’ve lived here for a long time,” O’Connor “The backside community has always Passes At Age 86 says. “There have been years when you feel seemed to be a forgotten place,” Richardson Harry C. Meyerhoff, who campaigned three-time you don’t matter. I’ve had a long-standing says. “We’ve really made a concerted effort champion, 1979 Derby and Preakness win- issue with people smoking in the barns. I to make improvements in people’s lives. We ner and 1980 Horse of the Year Spectacular Bid, died think it is ludicrous to be smoking in a barn set up this open forum for people to come in mid February at the University of Maryland Shore and I’ve tried for years to get it addressed, and started asking, ‘What can we do? What Medical center at Easton from complications of a but nothing ever got done. do you need?’” stroke. He was 86. “Then, last summer, they started hold- It was, in fact, a simple approach and, as ing these meetings. I went and the first time Marengo Road, a horse owned by Meyerhoff and O’Connor says, shocking to the backstretch I brought it up, one of the security guards his son Tom, won the $75,000 Miracle Wood Stakes employees who felt and neglected stepped up and said, ‘I’m going to take care at Laurel Park a few days after his owner’s passing. for so long. Afterward, Marengo Road’s trainer, Mike Trombetta, of it.’ The next day in our barn those people [smoking] got written up. That guard was a On the first Thursday of every month at reflected on Meyerhoff’s death. 2 p.m., in the Laurel track kitchen, employ- “Racing really lost a hero,” Trombetta said. “He man of his word and we don’t have a smok- ing problem anymore. ees are invited to the open forum to speak was a wonderful man.” their minds about things they need and to Meyerhoff bought Spectacular Bid for $37,000 at “I feel they really listen and even if you bring up things that can’t be or haven’t been make suggestions for ways to improve living the 1977 yearling sale. He was the major- conditions on the backstretch. ity owner, with his son Tom and his then-wife Teresa done yet, it just feels good to get it off your Richardson says if it is possible for the Meyerhoff owning minority shares. Spectacular Bid chest. David [MTHA Executive Director Da- MTHA to get something done, it will. raced under the stable name Hawksworth Farm, the vid Richardson] said ‘Tell us what you need One of the first issues brought to the MTHA’s Talbot County, Md., property where Meyerhoff lived and we will do our best to make sure it gets for more than 40 years. addressed quickly.’ I don’t think attention was resident’s mail situation. Under the care of trainer , Spectacular we knew what to say. Tell Backstretch workers weren’t Bid won 26 of 30 starts from 2 to 4. In 1978, he went you what we want? always getting their mail 7 for 9 and was named champion 2-year-old. His five We’d never heard because the stable stakes wins included the Grade 1 Champagne and that before.” gate functioned as Laurel Futurity. The MTHA everyone’s post He was named champion 3-year-old the next sea- had been – and office. When son after going 10 for 12, with his most important still is – look- it arrived at victories coming in the , Preakness, ing for ways the racetracks , Flamingo, Blue Grass and Marlboro to improve it was thrown Cup. His run for the Triple Crown came to an end communica- in a cardboard when he finished third in tions and living box. the . conditions on the backstretch of its Dan MangumBoard Actions 410-802-5798

MTHA Board Meeting – January 25, 2016 – Phone Conference Members present: Timothy L. Keefe (President), Linda S. Gaudet (Vice President), R. Larry Johnson (Vice President), Michael F. Horning (Treasurer), Katharine M. Voss (Secretary), A. Ferris Allen, Chris­­tine E. Bricker, Dale Capuano, Ellen M. Charles, JoAnn Hayden, Robert T. Manfuso, H. Graham Motion, Lawrence E. Murray, Charles J. Reed and Michael J. Trombetta. Members absent: None. In Memoriam– 25% Raise Claiming Rule Jockey Scratches Alice Berney Hoffberger (above left), The Board endorsed the current claiming The Board voted unanimously to endorse philanthropist, arts patron and wife of rule by a vote of 12-3 that requires a claimed an immediate House Rule and eventual longtime horseman Jerold Hoffberger died horse to be raised 25% within 30 days of the regulation change that requires an automatic of Alzheimer’s disease in early February. original claim. scratch of a horse whose jockey deemed the Her husband and other members of the horse unfit to ride. Voting in favor: Ms. Bricker, Mrs. Hoffberger family became principal own- Charles, Mrs. Gaudet, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Keefe, ers of the Baltimore Orioles after the fran- Mrs. Hayden, Mr. Horning, Mr. Manfuso, chise returned to Baltimore in 1954. Mr. Motion Mr. Murray, Mr. Trombetta and In the early 1970s, the Hoffbergers pur- Ms. Voss. MTHA Golf chased a farm near Woodbine called Sun- Voting against: Mr. Allen, Mr. Capuano, Tournament: set Hill Farm, where they bred and raced and Mr. Reed. numerous runners. April 18 Maryland-based train- Allowance Conditions Spring is right around the corner er Hubert “Butch” Cave, The Board voted 8-6 to endorse current and that means one thing, the III passed away Feb. 17 allowance conditions with no changes in re- MTHA Golf Tournament is upon us. due to complications of gards to a proposal to have state restricted Sign up by calling MTHA Recreation race wins be included in the horse’s condi- cancer at the age of 59. Director Dan Mangum at Cave, a lifelong Maryland resident, was tions. (410) 802-5798. Voting in favor: Mr. Allen, Ms. Bricker, a retired sheet metal mechanic, in addition Mr. Capuano, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Keefe, Mr. to training and owning . Reed, Mr. Motion and Mr. Trombetta. Cave won his first race as a trainer in Voting against: Mrs. Charles, Mrs. Gaud- 1999 and went on to win 90 races in his ca- et, Mrs. Hayden, Mr. Horning, Mr. Manfuso reer. His horses generated purse earnings and Ms. Voss. of more than $1.7 million. He enjoyed his most productive year in 2009, when his charges won 14 of 67 Meyerhoff, continued from page 1 starts and earned $419,599. That was also Spectacular Bid, a son of Bidder and ing horses together in the early 1960’s. Rob- the year he earned perhaps his most sig- the Promised Land mare Spectacular, was ert Meyerhoff, on his own, has campaigned nificant victory, when Sumacha’hot rallied unbeaten in nine starts at 4 and was named the top runners Broad Brush and Concern - from last to win the $200,000 Maryland champion older horse and Horse of the Year. a son of Broad Brush - in addition to Include Million Classic. He swept the Strub Series at Santa Anita that and recent Laurel stakes winner Candida H. winter and also won the Santa Anita Handi- Dr. Robert A. Leonard, a retired vet- cap. He concluded his career with a walkover Harry Meyerhoff’s wife Mary Jo preced- erinarian who co-owned Glade Valley Farm in the Grade 1 Woodward when nobody else ed him in death in 2013. In addition to his died of pneumonia Feb. 10. He was 92. entered to run against him. brother Robert and son Tom, Harry Meyer- Dr. Leonard was the Delp called Spectacular Bid, “The great- hoff is survived by a son, Jack; a stepson, farm’s managing partner est horse to ever look through a bridle.” David Williams; a daughter, Karen Sweet; and veterinarian until he re- Meyerhoff owned many other horses and eight grandchildren. tired in 1994 and is probably over the years, including Grade 1 Wood- Funeral services will be private. In lieu ward Handicap winner Dispersal and mul- best known for breeding, rac- of flowers, the family requests that dona- ing and standing Rollicking tiple graded stakes winner Sunny Sunrise, tions be made to the Foxie G. Foundation, who won 18 races and $1.3 million. — a top sprinter who once was the leading Meyerhoff was born and raised in Bal- which provides rescue, rehabilitation and thoroughbred stallion in Maryland. timore. He and his brother Robert E. Mey- home finding services for Thoroughbreds, In addition to Rollicking, the farm also erhoff found success in residential con- or the Talbot Special Riders Inc., which pro- counted Martinetta, Power Play, Skipper’s struction, developing numerous garden vides physical and emotional therapy using and Frac Daddy among its notable apartments in Maryland. They started rac- horses. thoroughbreds. After Delay Rec Report Timonium Bowling Results Texas Hold’em Results The MTHA Bowling League completed its The winners of the Feb. 10 Texas Hold’em OTB Opens 18-week schedule with an awards ceremony Tournament were: and party on Tuesday, Feb. 16. Awards were 1st Place: Howard Wolfendale presented to the following bowlers: 2nd Place: Eddie Pryzybyla 1st Place Team Award: “Team Under Pres- 3rd Place: Nick Dilodovico sure” which included Bowlers Avon Thorpe, Al- The next Tournament will be held on Tues- Griffith and Jermaine McDonald. day April 5th in the Laurel Recreation Room 2nd Place Team Award: Wayne Potts, Kris- starting at 12 Noon. tina Schmidt and Berkley Kern. 3rd Place Team Award: “Team # 2” Matt Dil- Spring Golf Tournament A date has been secured for our first golf lon, Daniel Kauffman and Damon Gladden outing for the year, which will be held at Walden Female High Game: Terri Overmeir 193 Country Club on Monday, April 18. Please mark Male High Game: Edmund Benson 278 your calendars. The Maryland Jockey Club’s efforts to es- Female High Series: Kristina Schmidt 455 tablish a network of off-track betting facilities Male High Series: Tink Throckmartin 686 Go Kart Racing League around Maryland moved forward Feb. 22, when Female Most Improved: Karen Barco MTHA is ex- the Maryland Racing Commission approved a Male Most Improved: Billy Gardner ploring the pos- new site at the Timonium Fairgrounds. The MTHA would like to thank our league’s sibility of orga- The Timonium Fairground site, where live secretary Sarah Carter for all of her hard work nizing an indoor racing takes place each summer during the keeping the league stats up to date each week. Go Kart league at Maryland State Fair, will join Laurel Park Race The league was a phenomenal success and AutoBahn Indoor Speedway in Jessup. Track, , Riverboat on the we look forward to making things bigger and If you are interesting in participating please Potomac and Horseshoe Casino Baltimore as better when we start again in October. contact Dan Mangum at (410) 802-5798. OTB locations. The unanimous approval came after the commission heard from residents and Baltimore 2016 Backstretch Pension Signup Schedule County councilmen who had questions about the facility, which will allow patrons to bet on Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s April 25 through April 29 and watch races at tracks around the country Backstretch Pension Plan Registration Laurel Track Kitchen, and even the world. 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m Local residents voiced concerns about not be- for the year ended 2015 will take place ing informed or included in conversations during at the following times and locations. May 2 through May 6 Laurel Park MTHA Office, the early planning stages of the OTB proposal. Please bring your MRC Badge and Residents’ concerns centered on the fear the OTB 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. W-2, 1099, or tax return for 2015. will one day morph into a full-blown casino, cre- May 9 through May 13 ating traffic, noise and other problems. For more information call the Pimlico MTHA Office, MJC vice president and general manager Sal MTHA office at (410) 902-6842. 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sinatra has said on numerous occasions “that just isn’t going to happen.” And William C. Mar- Failure to register during these times will low Jr., chair of the State Fair’s racing commit- result in the loss of your 2015 benefit. tee, told The Baltimore Sun it has provided writ- ten assurance to the commission that it won’t pursue slot machines in the next 10 years. Fairground officials said the money they re- After hearing the OTB had been approved ceive from the OTB will be used to improve the by a 6-0 commission vote, with two abstentions, grandstand and other buildings, while MTHA The Horsemen’s Sinatra said he is “looking forward to opening” executive director David Richardson said the the facility in Timonium. horsemen’s $500,000 share will go to the Thor- Newsletter “We also look forward to [continuing our ef- oughbred Purse Account and translate into ap- forts toward] building a strong relationship and proximately two racing days. Published by the partnership with the local community,” he said. “I think the approval for the new OTB is The new OTB will be located on the second great,” said MTHA president Tim Keefe. “I think MTHA floor of the fairgrounds grandstand. It will be it’s a no-brainer. I know the citizens are worried 500 Redland Court – Suite 105, in a 2,700 square foot space that will be leased about a casino and I think Timonium should Owings Mills, Maryland 21117; from the State Fair. The site also will have a have done a better job of reaching out to the (410) 902-6842; Fax: (410) 902-6841; restaurant and the MJC already has been install- area residents. E-mail: [email protected] ing upgrades such as hardwood floors and flat- “But it’s another step in MJC’s trying to get Website: www.md.com screen television monitors. a network of betting sites around the state, MJC, the MTHA and the fairgrounds will share and those sites will benefit everyone – owners, the revenues from the operation. Each expects its breeders and management. What’s great is we annual share to be approximately $500,000. are all sharing in the profits.” In Memory of Gretchen Mobberley Gretchen Mobberley, a longtime Mary- Over the years, the couple developed more land horsewoman, passed away Feb. 21 after than 20 stakes winners before Jack Mobber- a five-month battle with cancer. She was 84. ley’s death in 1995. Afterward, Gretchen, Mobberley was a horsewoman through- an owner, breeder and trainer, and their and-through, says her daughter Bird, “She daughter Bird, also a trainer, continued the rac- was more comfortable on the back of a horse ing operation, with stalls at Laurel Park. than most people are on their couch.” “My mom was something else,” Bird says Mobberley was born in Washington, wistfully. “My mom and dad were a team D.C., and raised in Manassas, Va. When she and after he passed away, she continued. She and her late husband, Jack, got married in loved to ride. She was still galloping her hors- 1952, they bought a farm in Middleburg, Va., es at the track [at age 82]. After that, she still but moved to Maryland in 1963 when they rode and we took our last ride together Sept. bought Summer Hill Farm in Howard County 15th, the day before she went into the hospi- and made it their permanent residence. tal for her operation.”

MTHA STANDARD 500 Redland Court, #105 PRE-SORT US POSTAGE Owings Mills, Maryland 21117 PAID PERMIT #15 March 2016 WESTMINSTER, MD

Free Easter Breakfast Board of Directors Timothy L. Keefe, President Linda S. Gaudet, Vice President For Maryland’s Dedicated R. Larry Johnson, Vice President Michael F. Horning, Treasurer Backstretch Employees Katharine M. Voss, Secretary A. Ferris Allen, III Easter Sunday - Christine E. Bricker Dale Capuano March 27, 2016 Ellen M. Charles JoAnn Hayden Laurel & Pimlico Kitchens Robert T. Manfuso H. Graham Motion Compliments of MTHA Lawrence E. Murray Charles J. Reed *Note there is no live racing on Easter Sunday Michael J. Trombetta