Horsemen's Advocate Metzen Dies at 78
Tom Metzen Sr., a tireless worker for horsemen in Arizona, Minnesota, and across the country, died Aug. 10. He was 78.
National Hbpa
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Two Tracks to Offer Claiming Crown Qualifiers
- By Tom LaMarra
- Thoroughbred Racing, Northeast Region, Southeast Region, Kentucky, Mid-Atlantic Region
Kentucky Downs and Laurel Park will host automatic qualifying races for this year's Claiming Crown, which is scheduled for Dec. 3 at Gulfstream Park.
New Award for Horse Racing's Top Employees
Godolphin announced May 3 the launch of the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards, in partnership with the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, and The Jockey Club.
Tornado Damages Will Rogers' Barn Area
The barn area at Will Rogers Downs in Claremore, Okla., sustained extensive damage and two horses were injured when a tornado hit the area March 30.
Claiming Crown at Gulfstream Through 2018
Gulfstream Park, the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA), and National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA) announced the Claiming Crown will continue to be held at Gulfstream through 2018.
RMTC Outlines Procedures on Drug Guidelines
The Racing Medication and Testing Consortium Feb. 19 issued an overview of its procedures in setting withdrawal times and drug-testing threshold levels after the National HBPA said it would pursue its own research.
Racetrack Vet Group Takes Proactive Approach
An organization formed to represent the interests of racetrack veterinarians has become proactive in the area of research into therapeutic medications and continues to make its case that vets should be part of drug reform.
Medication Guidelines Bring Call for Research
The National HBPA Feb. 6 said it plans to help fund research to develop administration and testing guidelines that could be incorporated into the Controlled Therapeutic Medication Schedule.
Is Regulation Itself Thwarting Uniformity?
Achieving true uniformity in equine medication and testing goes well beyond basic adoption of model rules, according to attorneys, horsemen, and veterinarians who picked apart the current system Feb. 5.
Back-and-Forth Continues on Path to Reform
The ARCI plans an industry congress for the end of this year to develop consensus on equine medication and testing given its belief Congress won't be anywhere close to acting on legislation introduced last year.
HBPA Forum: Are Biggest Bettors Demonized?
The impact big bettors have on pari-mutuel handle and the resulting revenue, as well as the need to recognize that horse owners are bettors, too, was the focus of a Feb. 4 forum during the National HBPA convention in Florida.
HBPA Convention Begins With Calls for Unity
Calls for unity in moving the horseracing industry forward kicked off the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association convention Feb. 4 in Clearwater Beach, Fla.
National HBPA Sets Convention Agenda
Medication, legislation, aftercare, and the importance of media awareness are among the topics to be discussed during the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association winter convention Feb. 3-7 in Florida.
National HBPA Endorses AHC's Welfare Code
The National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association is the latest organization to endorse the American Horse Council's Welfare Code of Practice, the AHC reported Dec. 3.
Opposition to Florida Decoupling Plan Expands
Horsemen's groups are rallying to head off a move to decouple live racing from casino-style gambling at pari-mutuel facilities in Florida. Currently, tracks with slot machines must also offer live racing.
California Owners Group Hires Coukos
Thoroughbred Owners of California announced Oct. 20 that Nick Coukos has accepted the position of president.
TOBA Dinner Honor for Claimer St. Borealis
The committee narrowed down three finalists, and ultimately selected St. Borealis as the inaugural Claiming Crown Horse of the Year.
Gessmann Elected National HBPA President
Leroy Gessmann, president of the Iowa Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, was elected president of the National HBPA Aug. 9 when the board of directors met as part of the organization's summer convention.
Medication Among National HBPA Meeting Topics
When the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association meets Aug. 6-9 for its summer convention, equine medication will again be a major issue for the organization.
Gulfstream Will Again Host 'Claiming Crown'
Gulfstream Park announced July 15 it will kick off its 2015-2016 Championship Meet Dec. 5 with the 17th running of the Claiming Crown, a slate of races with purses totaling $1.1 million.
National HBPA Questions Federal Drug Bill
- By Tom LaMarra
The National HBPA, which has about 30 affiliate horsemen's groups and about 30,000 members, said May 29 said it has questions regarding a federal lawmaker's plan to introduce legislation to regulate drug rules and testing.
Industry Organizations Pan IHA Repeal Bill
- By Tom LaMarra
Industry organizations May 1 came out in opposition to legislation that would repeal the Interstate Horseracing Act because of alleged cheating in horse racing, with one group calling it a shameless publicity stunt.
Hamelback Named CEO of National HBPA
The National HBPA announced Monday, April 20 that it had appointed Eric Hamelback as new chief executive officer beginning immediately. The former Adena Springs Kentucky general manager replaces Phil Hanrahan.
National HBPA Launches Search for New Chief
The National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association said Feb. 20 it has begun its search for a replacement for chief executive officer Phil Hanrahan, who stepped down effective Feb. 15.
National HBPA Wants to Clarify Its Mission
The National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association ended its winter convention Feb. 8 with a new affiliate and a call for the organization to take more of a leadership role in the industry.
Same Mission, New Approach on Medication
Though the Association of Racing Commissioners International remains a member of the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium, it intends to take the lead role in gathering the information needed to set medication policies.
RCI Has New Take on Out-of-Competition Tests
The umbrella group for regulators in North America is examining a new approach to out-of-competition testing that would not only target blood doping and gene doping, but also identify horses at risk of catastrophic injury.
Stronach Group Addresses Fundamental Issues
The Stronach Group remains optimistic about the future of the horse racing industry in North America and will continue to push for what it believes are fundamental structural changes needed to move the business forward.
National HBPA Sets Convention Agenda
The National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association will address a number of issues during its winter convention Feb. 4-8 in Carefree, Ariz., as well as hear from a key executive with The Stronach Group.
Groom Elite Program Undergoing Restructuring
The Groom Elite Program is undergoing a restructuring to meet increased demand for its services, officials said Jan. 15.
Claiming Crown Overcame Obstacles, Beat Odds
While other concepts in the Thoroughbred business failed to come to fruition, and other racing events came, went, were scrapped, and are generally forgotten, the Claiming Crown survived and actually has grown.
Claiming Crown Nomination Deadline Nov. 8
The nomination deadline for horses for the eight Claiming Crown races scheduled for Dec. 6 at Gulfstream Park is Nov. 8, and the supplemental nomination deadline is Dec. 3, officials said.
Changes Announced for Dec. 6 Claiming Crown
The Claiming Crown has dropped its trainer nomination program and has altered the lineup for the eight-race series to be held Dec. 6 at Gulfstream Park.
Horsemen Step Up to Assist Trainer Carwood
The National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association Foundation, in conjunction with the Kentucky HBPA, presented trainer Gerry Carwood with a check for $7,000 in emergency assistance aid May 22.
National HBPA Endorses Changes in Drug Rules
The National HBPA said April 11 it supports changes made by the Association of Racing Commissioners International in regard to uniform medication regulations.
Drug Policies Questioned at HBPA Convention
When is a scientific study not a scientific study? That was a question posed by several panelists during a two-hour session on medication Jan. 25 during the National HBPA winter convention.
Claiming Crown Trainer Nominations Increase
- By Blood-Horse Staff
- Thoroughbred Racing, Southeast Region, Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association
The number of trainers that have nominated themselves for the right to nominate horses to the $1 million Claiming Crown increased this year to 283 from 276 in 2012.
The Claiming Crown to Expand to $1 Million
- By Eric Mitchell
- Thoroughbred Racing, Northeast Region, Southeast Region, Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association
Total purses for The Claiming Crown of 2013 are expected to reach $1 million and the program expanded to eight races. The program will likely be run for a second year in a row at Gulfstream Park.
Confidentiality in Research Called Necessary
- By Tom LaMarra
An official with the RMTC said confidentiality agreements used when the organization considers research to set thresholds and withdrawal times for medications are necessary because of scientific factors.
RMTC Board Approves Model Rule on Penalties
- By Tom LaMarra
The Racing Medication and Testing Consortium said July 19 its board of directors has approved a model rule on multiple violation penalties and forwarded the suggested change to racing commissioners for consideration.
McLellan, Saginaw Honored by National HBPA
Reid McLellan, executive director of the Groom Elite Program, and Saginaw, a winner of nine stakes since his claim for $30,000 in March 2012, were honored by the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association.
Foreman: Drug Model Rule a 'Living Document'
- By Tom LaMarra
A horsemen's group official involved in development of the proposed model rule for multiple violation penalties said July 15 the regulations are a "living document" that probably will be adjusted based on industry needs.
HBPA to Present Medication Rule Suggestions
The National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association board of directors July 14 signed off on recommended changes to a proposed model rule on medication penalties but acknowledged acceptance could be hard to achieve.
Scientists Question Clenbuterol Regulations
Scientific and regulatory advisers to the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association July 13 expressed concerns over the proposed withdrawal time and testing level for the bronchodilator clenbuterol.
National HBPA Proposes Penalty Rule Changes
The National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association most likely will make recommendations for revisions to the proposed national model rule on medication penalties.
Three-Year Deal Sought for Claiming Crown
The Florida Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association is working with Gulfstream Park and the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association to secure a three-year contract for the Claiming Crown.
National HBPA to Breeders' Cup: Keep Salix
The National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association Medication Committee voted Feb. 23 to endorse the use of race-day furosemide, also called Salix or Lasix, at this year's Breeders' Cup World Championships.
Horsemen Warned of Federal Drug Legislation
Horsemen expect members of Congress to make another attempt at winning support for legislation that would regulate medication use in racehorses by banning all race-day administration.
National HBPA Launches 'Quest for the Crown'
The National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association has launched a new online feature tied to 3-year-olds participating in Triple Crown and its prep races.
Horsemen Note Revised Immigration Rule
A new federal immigration rule will benefit the Thoroughbred industry, the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association said Jan. 28.
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