The January 2017 edition of the Horsemen's Newsletter is now online and available for download. To view this edition click here
The Horsemen's Newsletter is published monthly by the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association and is mailed to licensed owners and trainers in the state of Maryland.
Joe Miller had quite an impact on the Maryland racing community during his decades of service.
Miller, who died Dec. 15 at age 53, worked at the Maryland racetracks for about 30 years, most recently as a member of the track maintenance crew. But he is best remembered as the long-time horse ambulance driver, a difficult job that requires a special type of person.
In 2015 Miller was recognized with the MTHA “Special Unsung Hero Award” for his contributions. He manned the ambulance not only during racing but during morning training at Maryland tracks.
Miller, of Kingsville, Md., was profiled in a 2013 New York Times story along with MJC track photographer Jim McCue, who assisted Miller whenever with his own love of photography. Miller was known for regularly taking photos of morning training and wildlife, including eagles that have been spotted in the Laurel Park infield.
The Maryland Racing Commission meeting Dec. 20 at Laurel Park marked a changing of the guard, but the message was one of unity.
It was the first meeting for two new members: Chairman Michael Algeo and Konrad Wayson. Algeo, a retired Montgomery County Circuit Court judge, said he hopes to continue the forward momentum in the Maryland racing industry.
“I can assure you I will do everything in my power to make sure horse racing goes in the same direction it has been going,” Algeo said. “My hope is to make certain that peace in the valley continues.”
Santa Claus will visit the track kitchen at Laurel Park Saturday, Dec. 17, to bring cheer and toys to children who are part of the Maryland racing backstretch family.
Toys will be distributed from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and the kids will treated to cookies and hot chocolate. It’s the third year for the MTHA Toy Drive, and it continues to grow every year.
"This is one of our best events of the year," commented MTHA Executive Director David Richardson. "It's heartwarming to see the community of horsemen in Maryland come together to bring some holiday cheer to a few hardworking families who need it."
A Thoroughbred owner and a retired county circuit judge have been appointed to the Maryland Racing Commission while two longtime members, including the current chairman, will leave the regulatory panel.
Gov. Larry Hogan appointed Konrad Wayson, a businessman and racehorse owner, and Mike Algeo, who served as an associate judge for Montgomery County Circuit Court, to replace chairman John McDaniel, a member of the MRC for roughly three decades, and Mary Louise Preis, a former state legislator who joined the racing commission eight years ago.
Hogan, only the second Republican governor in Maryland in almost 50 years, took office in January 2015. Hogan made four MRC appointments or reappointments in February 2015: David Hayden, Dr. Thomas Bowman, Thomas Winebrener, and then-chairman Bruce Quade, who stepped down this fall.
The December 2016 edition of the Horsemen's Newsletter is now online and available for download. To view this edition click here
The Horsemen's Newsletter is published monthly by the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association and is mailed to licensed owners and trainers in the state of Maryland.
