Nov/Dec 2011
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Our dedicated backstretch workers can enjoy a free The Horsemen’s HOLIDAY Newsletter BREAKFAST November/December 2011 Vol. 21 • Number 8 Race Track Union Attacks Horsemen’s Slots Revenue To Fund Pension Plan At the November Racing Commission meet- of each track’s share of pari-mutual revenues. ing, Harry Manley, Director for United Food The Race Track Workers Pension Plan has Eddie Gaudet and Commercial Workers Union Local 27, an- seen its revenue drop in recent years due to a nounced a plan to seek funds for MJC’s Race reduction of live racing days with in the state. Track Workers Pension Plan from slots money. Going Out At the commission meeting Maryland’s Receiving a portion of slots revenue track operators did not express any desire On Top would require a change in the State law. to making up any short falls in the pension With the current budget restraints facing An- Maryland trainer Eddie Gaud- plans for their workers. et said that he plans to retire from napolis there is little thought that the money training at the end of the year, with the union is looking for will come from the The proposed funding, as endorsed by his wife, Linda, and daughter Lacey state’s share. These funds would most likely Mr. Manley, could mean that money intend- taking over the Bowie Training Cen- come from earmarks for purses and breed- ed for purses and bred funds would be used ter barn. ers’ funds. for race track employees. The 81-year-old has become a leg- Local 27 represents race track workers at The Maryland Thoroughbred Horse men’s end for being a top horseman and Maryland’s thorough bred and harness race Association does not support this change to a practical joker. He finished third tracks and the Pension Plan for race track slots proceed distribution which would re- among Maryland trainers, behind workers has been funded from a percentage duce purses and/or race days. King Leatherbury and Dale Capuano, for three straight years in the mid- 1990s and has over 1,700 victories in Jockey Worker’s Comp Cost a career that began in 1959. Gaudet was also a recipient of the To Significantly Increase 1995 Maryland Thoroughbred Horse- Chartis Insurance Company, the cur- “The MTHA is examining funding alter- men’s Association’s trainer of the rent provider of worker’s compensation for natives for the state mandated policy so year award. jockeys in Maryland, has notified the Mary- that the fee paid by each licensee will re- “I will still be hanging around land Racing Commission that it will cease main at a manageable figure,” commented the barn but it is time,” said Gaudet, writing this policy beginning in 2012. MTHA President Richard Hoffberger. “Lacey wants to pursue this as a ca- The premium in 2011 through Chartis reer and was really ready years ago. was slightly over $500,000. Thus far the The Maryland Jockey Injury Compensa- She is a great horsewoman and they only entity to offer a policy for 2012 is the tion Fund is a nonprofit corporation man- [Lacey and Linda] have been doing a Injured Workers Insurance Fund (IWIF) at aged by the Maryland Racing Commission great deal of the work for quite some a cost of $1.6-million. and was created to protect riders and elim- time.” These premiums are historically inate liability for owners and trainers. Gaudet, a mainstay of the Mary- paid by an assessment on Maryland- Jockey claims for the Mary- land circuit for decades after moving licensed thoroughbred owners land Jockey Injury Compensa- here from his native New England, and trainers. In 2001 the fee tion Fund are administered won the 1971 Black-Eyed Susan with was $50. It would have been At Arms Length and the 2011 Fed- $200, but the fund had a sur- by the Maryland Thorough- erico Tesio S. and Find S. with Con- plus from previous years bred Horsemen’s Association cealed Identity. that was able to make up as a service to jockeys and the difference. horsemen. Board Actions MTHA Board Meeting – November 3rd at Laurel Park Members present: Richard J. Hoffberger, Jockey Fees President, Richard J. Meyer, Vice President, The Board unanimously approved a W. Robert Bailes, Howard M. Bender, continuation of the $10 losing mount fee Dale Capuano, Linda S. Gaudet, H. Neil bonus for 2011. The losing mount fee bonus Glasser, Christopher W. Grove, Arnold A. is restricted to jockeys with the majority of Heft, Michael F. Horning, R. Larry Johnson, their mounts in Maryland, who rode 50 or Timothy L. Keefe, Lawrence E. Murray, more horses and earned less that $100,000 in Katharine M. Voss. Maryland in 2011 and paid as a losing mount Cole Makes Member absent: Christine E. Bricker bonus at year end. History Thanksgiving Dinners Distributing the funds in this manner The Board unanimously approved provides meaningful support for Maryland With Rapid funding for the annual Thanksgiving dinner jockeys, and benefits hard working, worthy held at the Laurel Park and Bowie track individuals. kitchens for backstretch employees. Redux Race Dates RAPID REDUX, a 5-year-old gelding Recreation Program The Board authorized a committee owned by Maryland horsemen and The Board unanimously appropriated up that consists of President Hoffberger, Alan Towson native Robert Cole Jr., set to $35,000 to extend the Recreation Program Foreman, Wayne Wright and anyone else of the modern North American Record through December 31, 2012. their choosing to negotiate with the Stronach Group regarding race days and related for consecutive victories by winning Benevolence issues. his 20th consecutive race on Novem- Following established procedure, the ber 21. Board agreed to appropriate up to $60,000 Simulcasting Extension Claimed by Cole for $6,250 last year, in 2012 to fund the Maryland Thoroughbred In the absence of an agreement the RAPID REDUX won the 20 races in Horsemen’s Benefit Trust, by which the simulcast agreement will end on December less than a year’s time. His streak be- MTHA provides health benefits to trainers 31, 2011 the Board unanimously approved and their spouses. gan Dec. 2, 2010. Simulcasting for 2012 contingent upon a satisfactory 2012 dates agreement with the Trained by David Wells, Rapid Redux Backstretch Employee Pension Maryland Jockey Club. has averaged one win every 17.75 MTHA directors approved the allocation of days since the streak began. $300,000 from the Purse Account toward the Coupled Entries The Board unanimously approved Peppers Pride and Zenyatta, who funding of the Pension Plan for backstretch workers for 2012. This is the same amount that uncoupling entries in all overnight races both won 19 in a row, accomplished has been set aside in each of the last 24 years. except when there is common ownership. their streaks over four-year periods making this feat even more impres- sive. RAPID REDUX has now captured Horsemen’s Calendar 21 of 22 starts at a variety of venues around the Mid-Atlantic region in- RACING Keeneland Two-Year-Olds in Training, cluding five wins in Maryland high- Lexington, Ky., (800) 456-3412 ... April. 9 Laurel Park ............ Now through Dec. 17 lighted by his record tying 19th win Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company Spring at Laurel Park on October 27th. He Sale of Two Year Olds In Training is also a perfect 18-of-18 in 2011. The FASIG-TIPTON MIDLANTIC Ocala, Fl. (352) 237-2154 ............ Apr. 23-26 AUCTIONS record for most victories in a year is Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company June AT TIMONIUM (410) 392-5555 19 by Citation in 1948, the year he Two Year Olds & HORA Sale Ocala, Fl. (352) 237-2154 ............. Jun. 19-20 won the Triple Crown. Two-Year-Olds in Training ....... May 21-22 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky July Sale, Rober Cole, Jr. a 1981 graduate of Lexington, Ky., (859) 255-1555 . Jul. 10-11 Loch Raven High School topped the OUT-OF-STATE AUCTIONS Keeneland January Horses of All Ages, Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company Maryland standings four consecutive Selected Sale of Yearlings years (2006-2009), led the nation in Lexington, Ky. (800) 456-3412 ............................ Jan. 9-14 Ocala, Fl. (352) 237-2154 ................. Aug. 21 victories in 2008 with a career-best Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Winter Mixed, Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company 234 and has ranked among the na- Lexington, Ky., (859) 255-1555 ...... Feb. 7 Open Sale of Yearlings tion’s leaders in wins and earnings Ocala, Fl. (352) 237-2154 ........... Aug. 22-23 Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company Selected seven times since 2001. Sale of Two Year Olds In Training Keeneland September Yearling, Ocala, Fl. (352) 237-2154 ............ Mar. 13-14 Lexington, Ky., (800) 456-3412 Sept. 10-23 News Clips MRMA Scholarship Carmen Reyes Returns Program A Success To Home In Panama Longtime Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association’s Administrative Assistant Carmen Reyes left her position with the MTHA to return to her home in Panama City, Panama with her brother Eddie. A dedicated employee for over 10 years and friend of many horsemen, Ms. Reyes worked as the MTHA’s racetrack representative. Her helpfulness, knowledge and friendliness will be missed by all and the MTHA family wish her well and thank her for her years of service to the Maryland Thoroughbred industry. Diana Pinones replaced Carmen as the MTHA racetrack representative. Thanksgiving Dinners On The Backstretch The Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association served over 350 dinners Thanksgiving Day at the Bowie and Laurel Park track kitchens. MRMA President Stan Salter awards $30,000 in financial assistance Mario Pino Now 13th to 26 backstretch and On All-Time Win List farm workers at the Jockey Mario Pino moved ahead of Hall Maryland Racing Media of Famer Eddie Delahoussaye for 13th on Association’s Scholarship the all-time win list when he guided 13-1 Awards Crab Feast shot Torcello to victory in the second race at Ceremony on Saturday, Laurel Park.