The Horsemen’s Newsletter

March 2020 Vol. 30 • Number 3 Strong Digital Foal Papers Support For Rebuilds In Required For Legislature 2-Year-Olds of 2020 Beginning this year, digital foal cer- More information is available at registry. tificates are mandatory for 2-year-old Thor- jockeyclub.com. oughbreds registered with The Jockey Club. According to TJC, digital certificates are TJC in the summer of 2016 announced assigned to a certificate manager—a person the transition to digital foal certificates be- or entity authorized to control the disposi- ginning with the 2018 foal crop—2-year-olds tion of a digital certificate. The certificate of 2020. The breed registry manager may or may not be in 2017 urged anyone who the owner of the horse. manages foal certifications The certificate manager The initial General Assembly to sign up for an interac- will be able to assign the cer- committee hearings on legislation that would tive registration account in tificate to another party by rebuild and Laurel Park anticipation of the change. and strengthen the foundation for horse racing selecting the appropriate en- “The use of digital foal tity or person on the registra- over the next 30 years reflected strong support certificates will allow foal tion website. Email notifica- from state, county and city government officials papers to be easily trans- tions are sent when a digital as well as business leaders. ferred between entities at the click of a but- certificate has been assigned to an account. Two bills—they are almost identical—were ton,” TJC said in a release. heard Feb. 25 in the House Ways and Means Com- The benefits of the switch to digital It is important to note that ownership mittee and Senate Budget and Taxation Commit- papers are access via computers or mobile data included with the assignment of a digital tee. The legislation creates a funding structure for devices at any time; streamlined operations foal certificate does not prove title to a horse. about $375 million in bonds for the two projects, in racing offices, at auctions and for equine “The Jockey Club is a pedigree registry for puts the property on which the two tracks sit un- transportation purposes; no risk of losing Thoroughbred horses, not an ownership or title der city or county control, and has provisions for or damaging foal papers; and not having to registry,” the organization stated. “Accordingly, equine health and safety initiatives. mail papers from track to track when a horse any information presented by The Jockey Club The House bill was introduced by Speaker is scheduled to race. Continued on Page 2con- Adrienne Jones, who said the plan “preserves the history of the Stakes and Pimlico and enhances year-round sustainable racing at Laurel Park.” She put it in the context of how the racing and breeding industry more than 10 years ago Transfer Of Equine Medical was in decline in Maryland, and how a share of casino video lottery terminal revenue helped it Records Approved begin a rebuilding process. “Maryland Thoroughbred racing has drastical- The Maryland Racing Commission Feb. 27 claimed by, or transferred to a new owner.” ly recovered and returned to being a competitive approved two new regulations regarding medical The second details the required medical re- location, but infrastructure challenges remain,” records. It is anticipated they will take effect April cords: “The health and medical record of a horse Jones said. “This bill is about regional coopera- 1 pending publication in the state registry. shall include the name of the horse and all medi- The first one reads: “A licensed owner shall tion, civic pride in economic redevelopment and cations, drugs, substances, or procedures admin- showing Maryland racing to the entire world.” order the production and transfer of all health istered by an individual or prescribed and admin- Sen. Guy Guzzone, who chairs the Senate and medical records held by the individual or vet- erinarian providing services to the horse owned istered by a veterinarian for up to the previous Continued on Page 2 by them within seven days if the horse is sold to, three years.” Legislative Hearings Budget and Taxation Committee, introduced supports the Maryland racing industry.) In addi- committee, and that is codified in this legislation.” the bill in his chamber. He said the legislation tion, an unencumbered $24 million balance in the “Our organization fully supports approval (of is about history, tradition and preservation but Racetrack Facility Renewal Account—also funded this legislation),” Maryland THA President Tim also offers a path forward for the racing indus- by a share of VLT revenue but set to expire in sev- Keefe said. “It will bring back to Maryland the sta- try and economic development. eral years—as of June 1, 2020, would be placed tus of one of the premier racing and breeding ven- “The long history of racing in the state has in the Racing and Community Development Fund. ues in America.” given us many benefits over the years,” Guz- “This is a monumental day for racing not Under the plan, the Laurel project would go zone said. “I’m very pleased to come forward only in Maryland but around the country,” said first, which means live racing would move to Pim- with this legislation. It is very important to pre- Craig Fravel, Chief Executive Officer of Rac- lico for an extended period of time, perhaps two serve the Preakness in its rightful place in Bal- ing Operations for The Stronach Group, which years. Mike Johansen, an attorney who represents timore and preserve the horseracing industry in owns the Maryland Jockey Club. “The Stronach the MJC, said the entire project—both racetracks— the state. I do think it paves a way for the future Group is a big believer in live racing and wants should be completed by 2025. It was noted at the in a way that can help some communities. All to provide the safest horse-friendly environ- hearings that during that time, the Preakness will around, I think it’s a great package.” ment and modern facilities that meet the expec- continue to be run at Pimlico using temporary fa- (The Sun reported Feb. 28 that the tations of new and current fans.” cilities once the clubhouse/grandstand is leveled. Senate Budget and Taxation Committee had passed Both bills reflect the heightened focus on its version and moved it on to the full Senate.) equine health and safety, and that goes beyond Digital Papers The legislation would create the Racing and installation of a synthetic Tapeta surface at Lau- Community Development Fund, which would rel. The Maryland Racing Commission will be cerning the ‘owner’ of a horse is based solely fall under the Maryland Stadium Authority. The charged with establishing an Equine Health, upon information provided by others and is financing plan calls for at least $180 million for Safety and Welfare Advisory Committee that in no way warranted or otherwise offered by the Pimlico project and $155 million for the Lau- must provide regular reports and a year-end The Jockey Club as being a representation of rel project. The MSA would need approval from summary of its activities. who the actual owner or title holder of a par- the state Board of Public Works for the bond Both bills also state that on or before Feb. 15, ticular Thoroughbred is.” issue and financing proposal. 2021, the MSA after consultation with the racing in- If a horse is already registered, a trans- Pimlico would have only a small barn area to dustry must report on the feasibility of creating an fer of ownership form must be signed by accommodate ship-ins on race days during a short equine health, safety and research center at Laurel. the new owner or agent listing the new meet or meets. Laurel, which would be the primary “The Maryland Racing Commission and indus- ownership information, the horse’s name, racing facility, would get an entirely new stable area try stakeholders have been laser-focused on the pedigree and date of purchase. Forms sub- and modernized housing for backstretch workers. health and safety of our horses,” said Alan Fore- mitted via interactive registration do not The Racing and Community Development man, general counsel for the Maryland THA and require a signature. Fund would get about $17 million a year from the CEO of the national THA. “There is an aggressive A certificate of foal registration provides State Lottery Fund. The figure includes $5 million a consortium (of Mid-Atlantic stakeholders) imple- a number of blank spaces to record trans- year from the Purse Dedication Account beginning menting safety and welfare reforms to identify fers of ownership when Thoroughbreds are in fiscal 2021. (The PDA share would come from horses at risk and to minimize equine fatalities. bought and sold. The Jockey Club encour- the 6% of casino video lottery terminal revenue that The racing commission already established a safety ages all breeders and owners to faithfully record ownership transfers on the certifi- cate before a horse changes hands. Marquez, Canessa Remembered MTHA in conjunction with MJC and Jockey Club officials will host a meeting soon By Racing Community at which new protocols for mandatory digital papers for 2-year-olds will be explained. Two longtime friends and members of the home Jan. 27 surrounded by his family at age 82. Meanwhile, the Maryland Racing Com- Maryland racing community—Francisco Marquez- Canessa, 84, a native of Peru, was the first Pe- mission Feb. 27 gave final approval to a Vargas and Javier Canessa—passed away recently. ruvian jockey to move to the U.S. when he did regulation that allows for digital tattoos. An Marquez-Vargas, a native of Chile who ar- so in 1964. He spent most of his career rid- Association of Racing Commissioners Inter- rived in the United States to work with horses ing at Bowie Race Course, Laurel Park and national model rule states, effective Jan. 1, in his early teens, spent time in France and Pimlico Race Course in Maryland and also 2020, that a racing secretary shall ensure was a translator. In Maryland, he worked on at Delaware Park. Canessa, who died Feb. that the registration certificates for all Thor- the backstretch and was a security guard for 19, lived in Severn, Md., and like his friend oughbred horses that were foaled in 2018 the Maryland Jockey Club. Marquez-Vargas Marquez also worked as a security guard or thereafter have a digital tattoo prior to returned to Chile late last year and died at for the MJC. entry in a race. The Maryland rule states: “A horse may not be allowed to race unless it has been lip MTHA has secured tattooed or digitally tattooed by the Thor- D.C. United season oughbred Racing Protective Bureau. For tickets for distribution good cause, the stewards may waive this to backstretch workers. requirement if the horse is otherwise prop- Sign-up for ticket raffles erly identified. However, the horse shall be in Laurel Park’s track tattooed thereafter within a time set by the stewards.” kitchen or by calling: The MJC last year began microchipping (410) 802-5798 of horses stabled at Laurel Park and Pimlico. Stronach Group Officials Discuss New Company Brand Strategy The Stronach Group Feb. 27, in meetings warding and sustainable careers for employees, ture but it’s nothing compared to the work to with Maryland Jockey Club employees, ex- and working at every facility to set the “gold come. It all begins and ends on the racetrack. plained its new 1/ST brand program that is standard” for horse safety and horse care. We’re in the business of horse racing.” geared toward reinventing the racing and gam- “A massive amount of change is about to The segments of 1/ST along with over- ing experience at its various properties. take place in Maryland—all for the good,” TSG reaching equine care initiatives are live racing, The 1/ST initiative, which includes new Chief Executive Officer technology, the on-track graphics for live racing signals at the company’s of Racing Operations experience and property tracks, was presented by David Wilson, Senior Craig Fravel said in re- management. The TSG Vice President of Marketing and Guest Experi- gard to the legislation will be realigned accord- ence for the TSG. authorizing funding ing to those areas. “It comes down to the guest experience,” for a rebuild of Laurel Along with graphics Wilson said. “Every department needs to be Park and Pimlico Race presentation, the Xpress- thinking, ‘What is this going to look like five Course and continued bet.com online betting years from now, 10 years from now, and what equine health and welfare reforms. “You guys platform is now called 1stbet.com, and in the do I see every day that can be fixed?’ This is have a done great job, often on a shoestring. near future Laurel, now identified on video as really a bottom-up approach.” The most important message is, ‘What does it the Maryland Jockey Club at Laurel Park, will The 1/ST brand goals are to reinvent Thor- mean for me and what can I do?’ You guys are be just called the Maryland Jockey Club. oughbred racing and gaming, achieve the best at the front line of engagement with our cus- Wilson also said all of the company’s race- level of safety for horses and riders, provide a tomers. track websites will be redesigned to align with fully engaging customer experience, ensure re- “There’s a lot of work to do in the legisla- the 1/ST brand. Merz Thanks 2019/20 MTHA Horsemen Backstretch Chris Merz, who has served as the Mary- land Jockey Club racing secretary the past Pension two years, has returned to Santa Anita Park as Director of Racing. He wrote the following farewell note to horsemen in Maryland: “It has been an absolute pleasure working with all of you. I wanted to say thank you for welcoming me with Sign Up Schedule: open arms and giving me a chance to try some new Pension Plan Registration for the plan May 4 through May 8 things. Maryland has a great racing history and year 2019 will take place at the following Pimlico MTHA Office, I am very proud to say that I had the oppor- times and locations. Bring your MRC Badge 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. tunity to be part of it. Maryland racing has a and W-2, 1099, or tax return for 2019. For great future ahead of itself and I wish you all more information call the MTHA office at May 20 the very best of luck in the future. Thank you.” (410) 902-6842. Fair Hill Training Center In Clocker’s Tower April 20 through April 24 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Horsemen’s Laurel Track Kitchen, 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Failure to register will result in Newsletter the loss of your 2019 benefit. Published by the April 27 through May 1 Laurel Track Kitchen, MTHA 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. 500 Redland Court – Suite 105, Owings Mills, Maryland 21117; (410) 902-6842; Fax: (410) 902-6841; Stop in the MTHA Racetrack Office or visit mdhorsemen. E-mail: [email protected] com for a copy of the MTHA Backstretch Pension Plan Website: www.mdhorsemen.com Guidebook to answer all your questions about the Plan. Tax time is here. The MTHA will Don’t assist backstretch workers and trainers to prepare and file their Forget state and federal tax returns. About An appointment is required. Stop in the MTHA racetrack Uncle office during live racing from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. or call Sam 410-902-6843 to schedule.

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

MTHA Golf Tournament Board of Directors Timothy L. Keefe, President Tuesday, March 31 Linda S. Gaudet, Vice President Dale Capuano, Vice President Michael F. Horning, Treasurer Katharine M. Voss, Secretary Spring is right around Walden Country Club A. Ferris Allen, III the corner and that Crofton, Maryland R. Larry Johnson means one thing, the Registration: 11am JoAnn Hayden MTHA Spring Golf Mark B. Lapidus Tournament is upon us. Tee Off: Noon Robert T. Manfuso Hugh I. McMahon H. Graham Motion Charles J. Reed Philip B. Schoenthal $65 per golfer. Contact Marty Leonard at (203) 733-1367 Michael J. Trombetta