The Horsemen’s Newsletter

November 2020 Vol. 30 • Number 10 Toy Drive Purse Release Program To Begin Now Automatic The Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association is making preparations for this Several years ago the Maryland Thor- of the program. Purse money will be re- oughbred Horsemen’s Association, in co- leased 72 hours after a race, pursuant to year’s Christmas toy drive for the benefit of the operation with the Maryland Jockey Club, MRC regulations. children of backstretch workers. instituted an Expedited Purse Release Pro- If an owner has received purse mon- With the MTHA Christmas Party not being gram to allow for our owners to get purses ey earned before the test results are re- held this year because of COVID-19, owners, earned on an expedited basis and before ceived and a positive test is reported, the trainers and patrons are encouraged to bring drug test results had been returned to the owner will be required to return such unwrapped toys to the MTHA grandstand office Maryland Racing Commission by the com- purse money to the Maryland Thorough- at Laurel Park. Collection will start immediately mission’s testing laboratory. bred Purse Account. Failure to do so can and extend into early December. The program re- result in suspension of the owner’s li- The customary visit with Santa in the track quired that interested cense until the funds are repaid. kitchen will not be held this year, but the MTHA owners sign an agreement expects to distribute the toys in the grandstand that obligated the owner lobby at Laurel. More information will be avail- to repay and affected able in early December. purse money paid that Parents and relatives must sign up children became the subject of a positive drug Owners can opt out of the program to receive toys. Please call the MTHA office at test. and await payment of a purse earned In light of significant test result de- once the test results are received. To opt 410-902-6844 to participate. lays that are being caused by COVID-19 out, an owner must notify the MTHA or and other factors beyond the control of MJC in writing. the MRC, the MTHA and MJC have deter- We hope that this change will benefit Winter Racing mined to implement the program auto- our racing community and not subject matically Nov. 1 as to all overnight races, our owners to unnecessary delays in get- Calendar Set unless an owner determines to opt out ting their purse earnings. The Maryland Racing Commission approved MJC’s request for 2021 racing dates, including a 41-day winter meet at Laurel Park. During the winter meet, which runs from Sports Betting Approved Jan. 1-March 28, Laurel will race three days a week on a Friday-through-Sunday schedule. The question of a commercial gaming earmarked for education. Legislators have Live racing also is scheduled for two Monday expansion—specifically sports betting—was one projected sports betting could generate $20 holidays: Martin Luther King Day on Jan. 18 of a number of measures on the ballot statewide million to $40 million for the state depending and President’s Day on Feb. 15. The winter meet for the Nov. 4 general election in Maryland, and it on how it is implemented. post time is generally 12:25 p.m. was passed by the state’s voters. The Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s With 75% of the vote counted, more than Though the MRC approved dates for the full Association supported the ballot measure, as 66% had approved the ballot question. calendar year, the actual schedules will be an- did other industry organizations that lobbied for Both the state Senate and House of sports betting. nounced in the future pending possible chang- Delegates worked on sports betting bills during es. Overall, Laurel was approved for 152 days the 2020 General Assembly session, and the The earlier bills contained details on the tax of racing, with 11 at for Senate approved its version by a 47-0 vote. The rate, which brick-and-mortar facilities would the meet in May. The Maryland State House, however, did not move forward given be eligible for licenses, and how many “skins” Fair at Timonium requested and was approved some differences, and the result was a stripped- would be awarded for mobile sports betting. for 10 days of racing, but the schedule remains down measure that simply put sports betting on The General Assembly will now hammer out subject to negotiations with the Maryland Thor- the ballot for a statewide referendum. the details for the enabling legislation during its oughbred Horsemen’s Association and MJC. The state’s share of revenue will be 2021 session that begins in January. 2020 Candidates For Board of Directors Election Owner Candidates: Trainer Candidates:

Bonuccelli, Charles, Allen, III, Corrales, Charles Ellen A. Ferris Jose

Dorman, Eubanks, Cox, Garrido, Matthew Daniel Kenny Raul

Gaudet, Gonzalez, Gaudet, Hacker, Lacey Claudio Linda Gary

Keefe, Maldonado, Hayden, Heyman, Timothy Jonathan JoAnn Fred

McMahon, Merryman, Hugh Michael Horning, Johnson, Michael R. Larry

Motion, H. Robb, Graham John J. Kuegler, Lapidus, T.K. Mark

Schoenthal, Testerman, Phil Valora Nechamkin, Pons, Leo Josh

Trombetta, Voss, Michael Katy

Rashid, Reed, James Chip All ballots are due to be received back (not postmarked) Robb, Wade, by mail no later than Gina David Dec. 31, 2020, to be eligible to be counted. 2021 RACING CALENDAR

January 2021 February 2021 March 2021 April 2021 Backstretch Tradition Of 1 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Thanksgiving10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Dinners To Continue 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 The Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Because of ongoing COVID-19 restrictions, 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Association is pleased to announce that full the free meals will be takeout only. Turkey, ham, 31 28 28 29 30 31 25 26 27 28 29 30 Thanksgiving dinners will once again be stuffing, potatoes, green beans and available in the track kitchens at Laurel more will be offered to everyone Don Dean Passes Park and PimlicoMay Race 2021 Course. June 2021 on the backstretch.July 2021 August 2021 Thanksgiving, which falls The dinners will be At The Age Of 85 1 on Nov. 26, is a live racing day 1 2 3 4 5 served at Laurel 1from2 7 3 Don1 2 Dean,3 who4 5for 376 years7 bred and raced 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 with first post time of 11:25 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 a.m.-24 p.m.,5 6 and7 at 8Pimlico9 10 Thoroughbreds8 9 10 11 and12 at 13one 14time had 38 horses 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 a.m. 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 from11 812 a.m-113 p.m.14 15 16 17 in his15 stable,16 17 died18 Oct.19 1.20 21 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Dean, worked as a hot walker in his 70s 2021 RACING 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 and involved his family in the racetrack and CALENDAR30 31 27 28 29 30 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 horse29 farm30 31life. His love of horses and those 2021 Live Racing Calendar who work with them led him to the Race Track September 2021 October 2021 November 2021 ChaplaincyDecember of America, 2021 for which he served as January 2021 February 2021 March 2021 PresidentApril and 2021 as a board member for several years providing spiritual resources and support 1 2 3 4 1 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 1 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 for racetracks across1 2 the3 country. 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 3 45 56 67 78 89 109 11 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 5Upon6 completing7 8 9 his10 national11 RTCA terms, 7 810 911 1012 1113 1214 1315 16 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 10 1112 1213 1314 1415 1516 1617 18 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Dean12 turned13 14 his15 focus16 17to supporting18 the local 14 1517 1618 1719 1820 1921 2022 23 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 chapters, particularly in Maryland and West Vir- 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 18ginia.19 He20 loved21 22 being23 the24 auctioneer at fundrais- 26 27 28 29 30 31 28 29 30 26 27 28 29 30 31 31 28 28 29 30 31 25ing26 auctions27 28 and29 attending30 weekly services at the tracks. Dean had a successful career work- Laurel Park (152) Timonium (7) Pimlico (11) ing for IBM in multiple locations but eventually May 2021 June 2021 July 2021 settledAugust in Potomac, 2021 Md where he was a huge supporter of Maryland Million. 1 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 2 Blind3 4 5 6 7Retires8 As MJC Stakes 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 8 Larry9 10 11 12 Rao13 14 Passes 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Larry Rao, a popular trainer who was based Coordinator; Egan Fills Position at Bowie Training Center, died Oct. 26. 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Rao was well-known on the backstretch as 30Coleman31 E. “Coley” Blind, whose27 family28 29 30 coordinator, Blind25 has26 also27 28worked29 30 as31 an 29 30 31 has a long history in racing, is retiring from his assistant starter, starter, paddock judge, patrol he sold hay and straw and most recently worked position as stakes coordinator for the Maryland judge, placing judge, clerk of scales, horse for the Maryland Jockey Club on the track main- JockeySeptember Club. 2021 October 2021identifier and assistantNovember racing secretary. 2021 He also tenanceDecember crew. He2021 trained horses from 1995 to Blind, 72, will retire effective Nov. 1. Former served as a National Steeplechase Association 2013, when he saddled his last runner at Laurel trainer Jason Egan,1 2who3 currently4 works in the steward.1 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 Park. 1 2 3 4 Rao’s horses earned more than $1 million, a MJC5 racing6 7office8 9as an10 entry11 clerk,3 will4 step5 6 7 The8 9 38-year-old7 8 Egan9 10attended11 12 13the 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 into the role of stakes coordinator. 10 11 12 13 University14 15 16 of Arizona’s Racetrack Industry good number for a small stable. His top earner 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 “My family has been in racing for almost17 18 12019 20 Program,21 22 23 interning with trainer Michael was Cee Jay Bee, who won seven races and bankrolled $121,000. years,”19 20Blind21 said.22 “I23 really24 liked25 my position24 25 as26 27 Dickinson28 29 30 in North21 East,22 Md.23 Egan24 25worked26 27for a 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 stakes26 coordinator.27 28 29 30 Working with the31 trainers time on a farm in Florida28 29 following30 graduation 26 27 28 29 30 31 all over the country was very enjoyable. That’s and spent a year working for seven-time Eclipse the part I will miss the most. I know Jason will Award-winning trainer Todd Pletcher before The Horsemen’s do a great job.” Laurel Parkbecoming (152) trainerTimonium Mike (7)Trombetta’sPimlico assistant. (11) Blind began working alongside his father, After going out on his own, Egan won 52 Newsletter Eddie, in the Laurel Park starting gate in races between 2011 and 2019 and earned his Published by the 1966, joined by his brother, Frank. first stakes win in the 2018 Weber City Miss Coley Blind has worked in racing with 3-year-old filly Goodonehoney. Other Maryland offices for Maryland’s tracks at top horses trained by Egan include Thoroughbred Laurel, Pimlico Race Course, She’s Achance Too, second in the 2016 and the Maryland Million Lassie, three-time Horsemen’s Assoc. at Timonium as well as stakes-placed Any Court Inastorm, 500 Redland Court – Suite 105, Monmouth Park, Delaware and He’s Achance. Owings Mills, Maryland 21117; Park and four defunct tracks: Egan’s wife, Jordyn, works (410) 902-6842; Fax: (410) 902-6841; Atlantic City Race Course, as director of development for E-mail: [email protected] Liberty Bell Park, and the the Maryland Horse Industry Website: www.mdhorsemen.com Marlboro and Hagerstown fair Foundation and is assistant meets in Maryland. director for Maryland Million In addition to stakes Ltd. The MTHA Board of Directors Election is this year. Ballots will be mailed to all current members starting December. Check your mailboxes!

MTHA STANDARD 500 Redland Court, #105 PRE-SORT US POSTAGE Owings Mills, Maryland 21117 PAID PERMIT #15 November 2020 WESTMINSTER, MD

Board of Directors Open Enrollment For Health Timothy L. Keefe, President Linda S. Gaudet, Vice President Plans Begins Nov. 1. Dale Capuano, Vice President The Maryland Health Connection has Michael F. Horning, Treasurer announced that open enrollment for various health Katharine M. Voss, Secretary plans begins Nov. 1 and runs through Dec. 31. A. Ferris Allen, III The open enrollment period is for private health R. Larry Johnson and dental plans only. People who have coverage JoAnn Hayden Mark B. Lapidus through Medicaid will receive a notice when it’s Hugh I. McMahon time to renew their plan. Those who qualify for H. Graham Motion Medicaid can enroll at any time during the year. Charles J. Reed Please contact the Maryland Thoroughbred Philip B. Schoenthal Horsemen’s Association office at 410-902-6844 for Michael J. Trombetta more details or assistance.