Bill Walmsley, the long-time president of the Arkansas Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association and former president of the National HBPA, has been appointed by Gov. Mike Beebe to the Arkansas Court of Appeals.
Officials at Oaklawn Park said that with an additional $800,000 in purse money through the end of the meet, purses will total a record $18 million for the 56-day session.
Funding reductions for operations and benevolence brought on by horse racing's economic woes have led numerous affiliates of the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protection Association to reconsider NTRA membership.
Terry Wallace, the voice of Arkansas horse racing since 1975, was honored March 19 with the Arkansas Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association's Man of the Year Award for 2011.
The National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association Executive Committee voted Dec. 6 to endorse a presentation on jockey mount fees president Joe Santanna will make Dec. 8 during the University of Arizona Symposium on Racing & Gaming.
Advance deposit wagering outlets owned by TrackNet Media, TwinSpires.com and XpressBet, as well as Youbet.com, will be taking bets on the upcoming 2009 Oaklawn racing season under an agreement announced Dec. 31.
The Thoroughbred Owners of California and Arkansas Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association have joined the new Thoroughbred Horsemen's Group, launched Dec. 5 to facilitate simulcast activities and improve the economics of the pari-mutuel model.
Trainers Bob Holthus, Don Von Hemel, and Tim Ritchey were honored by the Arkansas Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association.
The Arkansas Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association has officially withdrawn from the National Thoroughbred Racing Association. The horsemen's group intends to stay out of the NTRA as long as Oaklawn Park, the state's only Thoroughbred racetrack, is not a member.
