The September 2018 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.
Horsemen in Maryland are reminded to regularly use the “In Today” stall signs that indicate whether a horse is entered to race on a given day.
Maryland Jockey Club Director of Racing Development Georganne Hale Aug. 22 said the signs were handed out to trainers a while ago for identification purposes.
Use of the signs stemmed from broader national industry discussions about integrity-related issues.
The August 2018 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.
Less than a month after Delaware and New Jersey launched full-blown sports betting, some Maryland lawmakers are quietly discussing the possibility of a special session on the issue.
The Maryland Daily Recordreported that legislators and lobbyists said there are discussions underway for a potential special session in late July, though the newspaper also said leaders of the Senate and House of Delegates wouldn’t comment. The session could be held if Gov. Larry Hogan calls it or a majority of the General Assembly would have to petition for it.
Earlier this year, a House bill sponsored by Del. Frank Turner passed on a vote of 124-14. It specifies that a video lottery terminal licensee—a casino—or a licensee for mile-track Thoroughbred racing or Standardbred racing—Laurel Park, Pimlico Race Course, Rosecroft Raceway and Casino Ocean Downs—would be eligible to offer sports betting.
The first Groom Elite program in Maryland June 25-29 proved a success, as it helped fill six hot walker positions and one groom position.
About 20 people participated in the weeklong Basic Grooming 99 program, which is designed to introduce people to the basics of working with racehorses. The program instructor was Dr. Reid McLellan, who formed the program almost 20 years ago, with assistance from former Maryland-based trainer Chris Grove.
McClellan made all the students feel at home when the program began. After a brief introductory period, he went one by one and called each by name. “I think it’s important that I know your name,” McLellan said.
The students spent roughly four hours a day together, so familiarity was important. Bobby Lillis, a former jockey who serves as MTHA Director of Assistance Programs, said he was impressed with the proceedings.
After a trial run a week earlier, Laurel Park on June 22 began officially recording the weight of each horse as it entered the paddock for the racing program.
Maryland Jockey Club President Sal Sinatra explained that grooms are now asked to go to the scale on the right when they enter the paddock and allow horses to stand on the scale for about four seconds. The weight is recorded and shown on the Laurel simulcast graphics before each race.
Sinatra said Equibase will begin publishing horses’ weights in its past performances for Laurel races. Recording of weights is a project of The Stronach Group, which owns Laurel.
