ThoroFan racing issues page is dedicated to topics of general interest or educational value for the Thoroughbred racing fan. Topics will be selected from questions raised by fans at info@thorofan.com and local chapter events. Guest columnists will be invited to write on topics selected by Thorofan.
THE PERFECT THOROUGHBRED
Medical science has developed in many ways. Things we never thought possible, just a few years ago, are now possible. So it is with Veterinary Science. But is it always good?
NEW YORK STATE PLACES STRICT REQUIREMENTS AT BELMONT PARK
The New York State Racing and Wagering Board in an effort to thwart any illegal activity affecting horses entered in the 144th Belmont Stakes has established strict requirements
BELMONT STAKES QUIZ AND ANSWERS
Allan Carter, Hisotrian at the National Thoroughbred Racing Museum and Hall of Fame, offers a quiz about the Belmont Stakes for racing fans.
GOVERNOR CUOMO AND NYRA AGREE ON NEW BOARD
Governor Cuomo pushed harder to resolve the problems facing the New York Racing Associaition, Inc.(NYRA). In an effort to save racing in New York and preserve, at least temporarily, the NYRA franchise, the Governor and NYRA agreed on major changes in the way the association does business.
INTERIM REPORT: NEW YORK RACING ASSOCIATION INVESTIGATED FOR TAKE-OUT ERROR
The New York State Racing and Wagering Board issued an Interim report on the NYRA Take-Out Error. What is shocking is the number of people and entities that were involved in the process,but somehow,we not aware of the state law and that NYRA was violating it. Although Mr. Hayward and Mr. Kehoe were targeted, the report suggests more may be involved.In a letter from Division of Budget Direct and Chairpeerson of the Franchise Oversight (NYRA) Board,Robert Megna, to NYRA Chairman Steven Dunker the continued validity of the NYRA franchise to operate racing in New York may be in question.
DR. HANSEN PLEDGES PERCENTAGE OF DERBY PURSE TO THOROFAN
Dr. Kendall Hansen has offerd to pledge 1% of his share of the winnings by Hnasen in the 138th Kentucky Derby.
REVISIT REQUEST FOR FEDERAL INTERVENTION
Nearly a year ago, a public letter was released asking for support for federal intervention into Thoroughbred racing's use of race-day medicaations. Industry reaction was mixed and no action was taken, save a promise to act by the industry. With the recent action by the Grade stakes Committee to delay action, the industry, media and the fans are waiting. The scathing public article in Sunday's New York Times turns the spotlight on again. We are reprinting the letter to the industry. Please read the May 4. 2011 letter to the undustry. Your reactions to our Sound Off Section would be appreciated. soundoff@thorofan.com
LUCK --RACING IS NOT THE PROBLEM
When trying to understand, the accidents that befell LUCK, a full investigation is needed. To blame racing without such, is irresponsible.
WILL NEW WAGERS WORK?
ThoroFan-Monmouth Chapter member Paul Schumann, horseplayer at Monmouth and lawyer, offers a unique set of new wagers that he contends will bring new fans to the track, especially those that might be attracted by slot machines and other games of chance.
RACEHORSE INJURIES
It is sad to see a racehorse breakdown on the track. It is even sadder to think that for years we had no idea why. That will change. Three years ago the Jockey Club initiated the the Racehorse Injury Database. This month they announced that the results for some of the tracks is now avalable to the public.
RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE NEW YORK STATE TASK FORCE ON RETIRED RACEHORSES
NEW YORK STATE COMPTROLLER'S AUDIT OF NYRA--2009
New York State Comptroller DeNapoli started his critical oversight of the New York Racing Association, Inc. when they came out of bankrupcy. There success in bankruptcy came mostly through financial actions and loans by New York satte taxpayers.
RECENT RULINGS DATABASE
THE RACING MEDICATION AND TESTING CONSORTIUM introduces to racing fans a wonderful new tool, "Recent Rulings Database." Now when a fan comes across a medication while handicapping or reading an article in an industry publication they will have a quick resource to learn more about that medication.
DUTIES OF RACING OFFICIALS
A wonderful video describing the duties of racetrack officials is posted on the website of the Racetrack Medication and Testing Consortium (RTMC). It is a wonderful piece and that will add to all race fans knowledge regardless of their years playing the game. A review of the video with a direct link to it can be reached by clicking on the title above.
UNLAWFUL GAMBLING ENFORCEMENT ACT OF 2006
This document provides an overview of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 (UIGEA or Act), 31 USC 5361-5366, and sets forth procedures for reviewing compliance by financial institutions with the joint rule promulgated pursuant to the Act by the Department of the Treasury (Treasury) and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Federal Reserve Board). An identical joint rule is published in two parts of the Code of Federal Regulations (12 CFR Part 233 (Federal Reserve Board) and 31 CFR Part 132 (Treasury)). This supervisory guidance is issued by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, National Credit Union Administration, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and Office of Thrift Supervision.
JOCKEY CLUB ROUNDTABLE
The 2011 Jockey Club Roundtable was extremely important from the fans' perspective. It included a presentation by the McKinsey and Company on their commissioned report on the future of racing. This link goes directly to the video streaming of this industry conference.
Their actual presentation begins at 1 hour and 8 minutes and 35 seconds into the Roundtable. Here is a link to the PowerPoint Slides of their presentation.
RACETRACK ACCREDITATION CRUCIAL, ESPECIALLY FOR OUR HORSES
This is a sad story how one racetrack sidestepped its duties to its equine athletes. Penn National Racetrack does not believe it is their responsibility to provide a veterinarian for morning workouts. Technically, they may be right, since state rules do not require one. However, NTRA's Safety and Integrity Alliance which accredits racetracks does. Penn National is not an accredited track. Read the full story of in the Paulick Report and how horse suffered because of it.
RACING FAN ADVISORY COUNCIL RESOLUTION
The New York State's Racing and Wagering Board unanimously passed a resolution on June 29,2011 creating a Racing Fan Advisory Council.
THOROFAN INTERVIEW ON SIRIUS RADIO SHOW
Bill Finley and Dave Johnson discuss with Michael Amo, Chairman of the Board of ThoroFan the recently passed in the NYS Senate bill (S3759-2011) to amend the racing law to include a Fan Advisory Board, an I Love New York Horse Racing Campaign and an award for the best Race Horse Farm.
Listen to Interview
NEW YORK STATE LEADS ON FAN DEVELOPMENT
After years of debates and struggles the New York State Senate released a five point plan about New York racing. One the planks of the plan was “Fan Development.” ThoroFan is pleased that the fan was recognized in this report and hope the NYS Assembly and Governor agree for the need to include the fan in solving New York racing.
NIGHT SCHOOL NOT JUST FOR DROPOUTS
Slow learners, dropouts, weirdoes and thugs were the cohort that was found in night school. The 1981 splasher movie depicts an even more ugly version of the student “body”. In legitimate education parlance “night school” refers to a program for people who failed or did not complete a regular day-course.
SALUTE TO CHAMPION THOROUGHBREDS
On Sunday, March 7th, Aiken South Carolina, saluted ten champion Thoroughbreds that began their careers running over the Aiken Training Track.Among those were Swale, Tom Fool, Pleasant Colony and Storm Stong.
