Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association

Casinos continue to post strong revenue figures

Details: 15 Oct

Maryland casinos generated $165.3 million in revenue in September, up 15.1% from September 2020 when they were operating at 50% capacity and an increase of 16.2% from the same month in 2019, according to figures released by Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency.

The Purse Dedication Account, which is funded by a 6% share of video lottery terminal revenue at the state’s six casinos, collected $6.37 million in September with 80% ($5.09 million) for Thoroughbred racing. The Thoroughbred share for September 2019, when the casinos were operating at full capacity, was $4.37 million.

October 2021 Newsletter Available

Details: 02 Oct

The October 2021 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 advised on regulatory change for corticosteroids

Details: 29 Sep

During a Sept. 28 webinar hosted by the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, veterinary and regulatory officials explained the recent decision by the Maryland Racing Commission to modify a regulation on five corticosteroids to eliminate testing threshold levels and employ limit of detection for the substances—the lowest level a lab can confidently determine that a substance is in a sample.

The MRC, upon the recommendation of its Equine Safety, Health and Welfare Advisory Committee, took the action at its Sept. 23 meeting. The change was filed with emergency status and there will be a public comment period. It is anticipated the update regulation will be implemented Nov. 1.

The five corticosteroids are dexamethasone, prednisolone, betamethasone, isoflupredone and triamcinolone. The current 14-day stand-down period for intra-articular injections will remain in place under 2019 model rules approved by the Association of Racing Commissioners International and Racing Medication and Testing Consortium.

Health Fair set for Oct. 4 at Laurel Park

Details: 26 Sep

The 2021 Health Fair will be held Monday, Oct. 4, at Laurel Park in the Recreation Room. The hours are 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Employees of MedStar Health and Lifeworks Strategies will again provide the services: flu shots, blood work, blood-pressure checks and other screenings as well as a massage therapist. The supply of flu shots was recently received by the Maryland Jockey Club.

During the Health Fair, the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association will have forms for those who want to sign up for the Oct. 12 visit by a mobile dentistry operation. The Mobile Dentist, based in Silver Springs, Md., will visit Laurel Oct. 12, as part of a new service offered by the MTHA.

MRC moves to remove testing thresholds for corticosteroids

Details: 23 Sep

The Maryland Racing Commission, upon the recommendation of its Equine Safety, Health and Welfare Advisory Committee, has approved a motion to modify a regulation on five corticosteroids to eliminate testing threshold levels and employ limit of detection for the substances.

The MRC took the action at its Sept. 23 meeting at Laurel Park. The change will be filed with emergency status and there will be public comment period. Given the regulatory process involved in rule-making, it is anticipated the update regulation will be implemented Nov. 1.

Gonzalez, Frock take top spots in Timonium trainer challenge

Details: 08 Sep

Claudio Gonzalez and Charles L. “Snake” Frock took top honors in the $41,000 trainer bonus competition during the Maryland State Fair at Timonium meet.

For Maryland Jockey Club-based trainers with 11 stalls or more, the top five were Gonzalez ($10,000), Anthony Farrior ($5,000), Hugh McMahon ($2,500), John Salzman Jr. ($1,500) and John Robb ($1,500).

For MJC-based trainers with 10 or fewer stalls, the top five were Frock ($10,000); Valrie Smith and Charles A. Frock (each earned $3,750 via a tie); Ricardo D’Angelo ($1,500) and Kenny Cox ($1,500).

The top four jockeys during the seven-day meet were J.D. Acosta (10 wins), Angel Cruz (6), and Xavier Perez and Carlos Lopez each with 5 wins.