ALBUQUERQUE, NM—SEPTEMBER 12, 2018—Horsemen are reminded that nominations for the 440-yard, $300,000 Albuquerque Fall Quarter Horse Championship (G1) at Albuquerque Downs close on Friday, September 14, at 5 p.m. (MDT). This year’s Albuquerque Fall Championship, presented by South Point Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, had its inaugural running in 2015, and this year it will be run as a Grade 1 stakes for the first time in its short history. Past winners include AQHA world champions JRC Callas First (2015) and Jessies First Down (2017). There is no nomination fee, a $3,500 fee to pass the entry box, and a $6,000 fee to start. The winner will earn $165,000 and a berth to this ...

AMERICAN QUARTER HORSE ASSOCIATION—SEPTEMBER 12, 2018—Following a week of big changes in the AQHA Racing National Polls after All American weekend at Ruidoso Downs, the latest rankings for this week were unchanged as the fall racing season approaches. Apocalyptical Jess, who last week took over the top spot in the 2-year-old poll following ...

SHELBYVILLE, IN—SEPTEMBER 12, 2018—There are many people at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino that may not recognize the name Arthur James Andrus, but almost everyone knows the name "T-Boy." Andrus picked up the nickname "T-Boy" at a young age and the groom is now a well-liked fixture in the Quarter Horse barn at Indiana Grand. Born in ...

NEW ORLEANS, LA—SEPTEMBER 10, 2018—Trainer Jose Luis Sanchez III, a native Laredo, Texas, earned his first Fair Grounds training title, while veteran jockey John Hamilton garnered another riding title and Rogelio Marquez, Jr. and Jose Ortiz were tied for the leading owners at the just concluded Fair Grounds Race Course Quarter Horse meet in New Orleans. Sanchez, who also trained the winner of Saturday's $434,538 LQHBA Sale Futurity(RG1), compiled an (21) 8-1-4 record and his stable banked $337,129 at the Fair Grounds. Trainers Barbara Alcantara and Kenneth Weeks were tied for ...

By Greg Thompson NEW ORLEANS, LA—SEPTEMBER 8, 2018—StallioneSearch.com is in New Orleans, Louisiana to cover the running of the 2018 LQHBA Sales Futurity(RG1) from the Fair Grounds. This year's $434,538 purse for the LQHA Sale Futurity is the largest purse in history of the event. StallioneSearch.com was on hand to capture the 350-yard restricted-Grade 1 event, as well as to conduct a post-race interview with winning trainer Jose Sanchez III. He talks about the biggest win of his career with the Five Bar Cartel filly Amending The Bar, a ...

CORBIN, KY—SEPTEMBER 8, 2018—According to Gene McLean at "The Pressbox" multiple sources within the Kentucky Racing Commission have confirmed that the commission may begin reviewing applications for two new racing licenses with a goal of taking official action by the end of 2018. Previously the commission indicated it would not take action on the applications for new racing licenses submitted as part of a joint project by Keeneland and Churchill Down, which included a proposed Quarter Horse track in Corbin. "It is my understanding that this is part of the next step," said Corbin Industrial Development Director Bruce Carpenter. "I feel positive it is still moving forward." Cumberland Run, the track in Corbin, is planned on 149 acres of property off of the Corbin bypass between Allison and Buchanan Blvd. The Corbin Planning ...

RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM—SEPTEMBER 6, 2018— The first season of racing at Ruidoso Downs under the new ownership of All American Ruidoso Downs, LLC (AARD) has been deemed a tremendous success. "Our first season was gratifying to the extent we made some policy choices and some investments that fans and horsemen responded to favorably," said True, president and general manager. The infrastructure and product improvements included a new roof on the main building, a new corporate network, improved security elements and practices, new surveillance room, 100 new machines on the casino floor, and the operational and promotional improvements all combined to build the business. Total ...

AMERICAN QUARTER HORSE ASSOCIATION—SEPTEMBER 6, 2018— With Raul Ramirez Jr. riding for trainer Blane Wood and owner Bill T. Robbins, Apocalyptical Jess, the gelding by leading sire Apollitical Jess, dashed 440 yards in :21.393 for his first stakes win in front of a crowd of more than 13,000 at the New Mexico track. In the process, the Oklahoma-bred made history as his trainer completed the first father-son combination to win the All American Futurity. Wood’s late father, Leo, won the 1979 All American with champion Pie In The Sky. MM Fourinthemorning, who came into the All American with the ...

SALT LAKE CITY, UT— SEPTEMBER 6, 2018—Popular Idaho based jockey Nikeela Black is recovering at a Salt Lake City hospital after suffering serious injuries over the weekend. Black, whose is also a Boise attorney, was riding in several races at the Eastern Idaho State Fair in Blackfoot on Sunday when the accident occurred. "She's so strong, she has been hurt before," Black's husband Lee Abrams, told KTVB Channel 7 in Boise. A jockey for nearly 15 years, Black gained notoriety as a leading rider at many race tracks. "It sounds like she clipped heels with the horse on the outside of her, she was on the rail, and her horse went ...

VINTON, LA—SEPTEMBER 5, 2017— Delta Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel has released its 2019 American Quarter Horse season dates and has made nomination blanks available for each major stakes race that will take place during the season. The 46-day stand will run from April 19 through July 6 with first post time set for 6:15 pm Central Time each Wednesday through Saturday night. Delta Downs hosts one of the top Quarter Horse seasons in the country each year. One of the reasons for that is the tremendous stakes schedule offered to horsemen for both Louisiana-bred and open-bred horses. Next year’s major stakes activity will begin with the Old South Derby and Futurity for open-bred runners that will take place on May 10 and 11 ...

EMMET, ID—SEPTEMBER 5, 2018—Funeral services were held today (Thursday) for AQHA Director Emeritus Col. Earl A. Lilley, 97, of Emmett, Idaho, died August 28. Earl was born on February 21, 1921, as the second-youngest of seven children of George E. and Katherine Lilley. He grew up during the Great Depression, and learned the importance of a ...

ALBUQUERQUE, NM—SEPTEMBER 5, 2018— This week’s start of the New Mexico State Fair will bring changes to the live racing schedule at Albuquerque Downs. There will be no live racing at The Downs on Wednesday, September 5. Starting on Thursday, September 6, there will be live racing at The Downs every day through closing day of the State ...

RUIDOSO, NM—SEPTEMBER 4, 2018—StallioneSearch.com concludes its webcast coverage the All American Futurity(G1) weekend with a recap of 2018 $3,000,000 All American Futurity. StallioneSearch's resident film maker, Greg Thompson, produced the recap in the style of a short-film to give the viewer the opportunity to experience the excitement and pageantry the comes with the All American Futurity(G1). The short-film contains interviews with both G. Blane Wood, and jockey Raul Ramirez, Jr. CLICK HERE to view the All American Futurity(G1) Recap- Episode 5. Coverage of the 2018 All American Futurity Weekend is sponsored in its ...

by Greg Thompson, StallioneSearch RUIDOSO, NM—SEPTEMBER 3, 2018——StallioneSearch.com continues its webcast coverage the All American Futurity(G1) weekend with a recap of the final session of the 2018 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale. On this episode, StallioneSearch.com was able to capture footage of the top-five sold yearlings from day 3 of the 2018 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale, including the $340,000 purchase by Don Cavenaugh from the Lazy E consignment, agent for Michael Pohl. CLICK HERE to view the Ruidoso Select Sale Recap- Session 3. Coverage of the 2018 ...

by Greg Thompson, StallioneSearch RUIDOSO, NM—SEPTEMBER 3, 2018—StallioneSearch.com continues its webcast coverage the All American Futurity(G1) weekend with a recap of 2018 $1,238,655 All American Derby. On this episode, StallioneSearch.com was on hand to capture the running of the 440 yard event, as well as to conduct post-race interviews with the winning jockey Cody Jensen and trainer Dwayne "Sleepy" Gilbreath. CLICK HERE to view the All American Derby(G1) Recap- ...

by Greg Thompson, StallioneSearch RUIDOSO, NM—SEPTEMBER 2, 2018——StallioneSearch.com continues its webcast coverage the All American Futurity(G1) weekend with a recap of Saturday's second session of the 2018 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale. On this episode, StallioneSearch.com was able to capture footage of the top-three second session sale-toppers at the 2018 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale, including the $275,000 purchase by former Ruidoso Downs owner R.D. Hubbard. CLICK HERE to view the Ruidoso Select Sale Recap- Session 2. Coverage of ...

by Greg Thompson, StallioneSearch RUIDOSO, NM—SEPTEMBER 1, 2018—StallioneSearch.com continues its webcast coverage the All American Futurity(G1) weekend with a preview of 2018 All American Derby qualifiers going into the $1,238,000 Grade 1 event. On this episode, StallioneSearch.com stops by the barns of trainer John Stinebaugh, Sleepy Gilbreath, Rudy Valles and Trey Ellis in to discuss the top stories going into Sunday's 440 Yard Grade 1 event. Stinebaugh will saddle fastest qualifier Hes Limitless, Gilbreah has second fastest qualifier Hotstepper. Valles trains the Ruidoso Derby(G1) winner Jess Move You while Ellis will saddle last year's All American Futurity winner Fly Baby Fly. ...

by Greg Thompson, StallioneSearch RUIDOSO, NM—SEPTEMBER 1, 2018——StallioneSearch.com continues its webcast coverage the All American Futurity(G1) weekend with a recap of the opening session of the 2018 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale. On this episode, StallioneSearch.com was able to capture footage of the top five sale toppers from day 1 of ...

by Greg Thompson, StallioneSearch RUIDOSO, NM—AUGUST 31, 2018—StallioneSearch.com continues its webcast coverage the All American Futurity(G1) weekend with another preview of 2018 qualifiers going into the $3,000,000 Grade 1 event. On this episode, StallioneSearch.com sits down with champion jockey Ricky Ramirez to discuss Apocalyptical Jess, the fastest qualifier coming from the first day of trials for the All American Futurity(G1). He will start from post 2. Trainer Jason Olmstead took time to discuss the super filly Lynnder 16 as she is set to go from post 6 in Monday's 440-yard stakes. Trainer Toby Keeton talks about his All American Futurity trainee, Im Jess Special V, who will start from Post 4 in the Labor Day ...

CLAREMORE, OK—AUGUST 31, 2018—The big rigs roll in packed with this year's equine competitors, and the smell of shavings fills the barns as trainers, jockeys and horses alike return to Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs for the fall quarter horse meet. Live AQHA racing begins for a ninth consecutive year Saturday, September 8. The 2018 Will Rogers Downs racing schedule features 28 days of American Quarter Horse Association, Appaloosa and paint stakes races through Nov. 10. The track will run 330-336 races during the meet, averaging 12 races per day. Overnight purses will equal $2.5 million total. Races post at noon every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. "We are looking forward to the upcoming quarter horse, paint and ...

RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM—AUGUST 30, 2018—StallioneSearch.com kicks off their 2018 All American Weekend coverage sponsored by the stallions of Robicheaux Ranch In., posted on StallioneSearch.com, as well as on Facebook. On this installment StallioneSearch.com's Greg Thompson talks with trainer Wes Giles about the All American Futurity Day 2 fastest qualifier Pilot Points Moon. CLICK HERE to view the Pilot Points Moon All American Futurity preview video. The coverage of the 2018 All American Futurity is sponsored by the stallion's of Robicheaux Ranch, Inc. in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana. ...

AMERICAN QUARTER HORSE ASSOCIATION—AUGUST 29, 2018—After a light weekend of stakes, there were practically no changes in the AQHA Racing National Polls this week; however, big changes could be in store after All American weekend at Ruidoso Downs. Sunday’s action will feature the $1.238 million All American Derby (G1) for 3-year-olds, while ...

ALTOONA, IA— AUGUST 29, 2018—Prairie Meadows recently honored three longtime racing department employees. Vice President of Racing Derron Heldt, Tack Superintendent Lamont Marks, and Starter Tom Benjamin were inducted into Prairie Meadows Hall of Fame on Friday, August 10. “I am sincerely flattered to be recognized by Prairie Meadows for ...

DALLAS, TX—AUGUST 28, 2018—StallioneSearch.com continues its Film Of The Month series of short films sponsored by Horse Logic on Stallionesearch.com, as well as on Facebook. The installment for the month of August 2018 is a short film by StallioneSearch's Greg Thompson involving the two-days of All American Futurity(G1) trials at ...

SHAKOPEE, MN—AUGUST 28, 2018—The Canterbury Park Hall of Fame Committee today announced the Class of 2018 inductees. The four newest members, who will be honored in a Sept. 1 ceremony, include jockey Dean Butler; Minnesota HBPA President and racehorse owner and breeder Jack Walsh; quarter horse breeders Rodney and Sylvia Von Ohlen; and ...

NEW ORLEANS, LA—AUGUST 28, 2018—During a regular meeting on Monday, the Louisiana Racing Commission voted to defer a decision regarding the Fair Grounds request to move the 2019 Quarter Horse meet from the August/September dates to March or early April 2019. "We cannot express our appreciation enough to all those in attendance in the ...

RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM—AUGUST 27, 2018—Rainbow Futurity winner Mm Fourinthemorning will start from the 10th post position in the Grade 1, $3,000,000 All American Futurity and Grade 1, $759,197 Ruidoso Derby winner Jess Move You drew the fifth post position for the Grade 1, $1,238,000 All American Derby during a draw on this afternoon (Tuesday) at ...

GRAND PRAIRIE, TX—AUGUST 27, 2018—The world’s fastest athletes are set to return to Lone Star Park for the 2018 Quarter Horse Season which begins Friday, September 21 and runs through Saturday, November 10. A total of 15 stakes races worth over $2.3 million will be run during the 16-day meet. Live racing will be held every Friday and ...

RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM—AUGUST 27, 2018—According to Ruidoso Downs officials All American Derb(G1) fastest qualifier Dashnunder Afullmoon was disqualified from her trial race due to a positive clenbuterol test from an out-of-competition hair test taken on August 20, putting her on the steward's list thus making her ineligible to enter today for the ...

RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM—AUGUST 24, 2018—On Labor Day, Ruidoso Downs commemorates the 40th anniversary of the late Jacky Martin’s first of a record seven wins in the All American Futurity. The 60th running of the All American Futurity is on Labor Day.

A wax bust of Jacky Martin will be displayed and Martin’s achievements celebrated. That bust is part of the process used by artist Lisa Perry to create a life-size bronze of Martin that will ...

RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM—AUGUST 24, 2018— The All American Derby will include an optional race restricted to fillies in addition to an open race for 3-year-olds of both sexes beginning in 2020. The new race division will be named the All American Oaks. The new format for foals of 2017 will cap the All American Derby open division at a $1,000,000 purse. Both divisions will remain at 440 yards. The Oaks will carry a first-year purse estimated at $300,000. Three-year-old fillies may be entered in either the open Derby or the Oaks. "This new format will create a premier race for ...

August 23, 2018 Re: Fair Grounds 2019 Quarter Horse Meet Proposal Dear LQHBA Members, We need your attendance at the Louisiana State Racing Commission Meeting on Monday, August 27, 2018 @ 9:00 AM in the Queen Anne Ballroom of the Monteleone Hotel located at 214 Royal Street, New Orleans, LA 70130. Fair Grounds Race Course is attempting to move our 2019 Quarter Horse meet from the usual August/September dates to late March/early April. To make matters worse, the Louisiana HBPA (a Horsemen’s Representative) has voted to ...

AMERICAN QUARTER HORSE ASSOCIATION—AUGUST 24, 2018—MM Fourinthemorning went into last week’s All American Futurity (G1) trials at Ruidoso Downs as the sport’s top-ranked 2-year-old, and the gelded son of Mr Jess Perry backed up that status by winning his heat and qualifying to the $3-million final on Labor Day. The Mark and Annette McCloy homebred, who is trained by Blane Wood, has been in the No. 1 spot in the poll since taking last month’s $1-million Rainbow Futurity (G1) at Ruidoso Downs. The New Mexico-bred figures to be the favorite in ...

August 23, 2018
From: EDWARD C. ALLRED, OWNER/CEO-LOS ALAMITOS RACE COURSE "There are no intentions for Los Alamitos Race Course to be developed and this venue will remain a racetrack. There could be some development on the land surrounding Los Alamitos Race Course, but this in no way will impact the year-round racing operation. My passion is for horse racing to be held at Los Alamitos ...

NEW ORLEANS, LA—AUGUST 22, 2018—Louisiana horsemen and women are urged to attend the Louisiana State Racing Commission meeting scheduled for August 27th in New Orleans . The meeting has been scheduled in opposition of the 2019 Quarter Horse meet with a request for move the normal August/September dates to late March or early April 2019. "This change would negatively impact our Quarter Horse racing and breeding industry," LQHBA Executive Director Tony Patterson said today. "We need the Fair Grounds Quarter Horse meet to remain in the ...

RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM—AUGUST 21, 2018—It looks like this may finally be it for our racetrack hero, G.R. Carter Jr. After more than 24,000 mounts, 3,800 wins, 10 AQHA jockey championships, $73 million in earnings and one previous attempt at retirement, the 50-year-old Carter says Labor Day weekend will be the last time he'll ride at Ruidoso Downs. Carter plans to continue racing through year's end and then wind up his illustrious career. "I'm not going to let myself come back again," said Carter. "It's time to let it go." Carter said he tried retirement two years ago, but just couldn't stay away. He said one summer day after he ...

ALBUQUERQUE, NM—JULY 26, 2018—Eight jockeys currently competing at Albuquerque Downs, accompanied by track chaplain Donald Stover, visited the University of New Mexico Children's Hospital in Albuquerque on Monday. The jockeys -- Porfirio Cano, Victor Escobar, Don French, Reyes Gomez, Gustavo Herrera, McKenzie King, Jansen Melancon, and Jorge Rocha -- visited with children in their rooms and distributed gifts, including signed goggles and winner's circle photos, and posters of New Mexico native jockey Mike Smith winning Belmont Stakes and the Triple Crown aboard Justify. "This is something that we have been doing annually, and ...

By Ray Paulick

RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM—AUGUST 20, 2018— On Sunday at Ruidoso Downs in New Mexico, trainer Josue Ponce sent out four runners in trial races for the rich All American Quarter Horse Derby. All four starters won, with three of the winners among the 10 fastest times, qualifying them for the Sept. 2 finals of the Grade 1, $1,237,604 fixture run over 440 yards. On Monday, Ponce ...

AUSTIN, TX—AUGUST 20, 2018—The Texas Racing Commission has adopted a zero-tolerance policy on Clenbuterol, according to a spokesman for the agency. He said the "prohibition" of the bronchodilator goes into effect September 10.

• Effective September 10, 2018, in accordance with rule § 319.3, clenbuterol shall be prohibited in use in race horses of ALL breeds.
• The maximum permissible concentration for the drug clenbuterol in Texas will change from 140pg/ml of urine to level of detection in urine. The level in serum or plasma ...

SHAKOPEE, MN—AUGUST 18, 2018—Ralph Strangis, chairman of the Minnesota Racing Commission and principal partner in the law firm Kaplan, Strangis & Kaplan, passed away on Wednesday (Aug. 15) at age 82. Ralph was appointed by Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton as Chair of the commission in 2013. He had served on the commission previously in the early days of Minnesota racing and returned to serve as Chair more recently. He led renewed efforts to work with industry members to promote the ...

ALBUQUERQUE, NM—AUGUST 16, 2018—Several Albuquerque Downs’ jockeys, accompanied by track chaplain Donny Stover, will make their annual visit to the University of New Mexico Children’s Hospital in Albuquerque on Monday afternoon. At the time of this release, the following jockeys will be accompanying Chaplain Stover on the August 20 visit: ...

AMERICAN QUARTER HORSE ASSOCIATION—AUGUST 16, 2018—In one of the most memorable Bank of America Racing Challenge stakes in the program’s history, BH Lisas Boy closed with a tremendous rush to catch champion Hold Air Hostage at the wire in Saturday’s Bank of America Los Alamitos Championship Challenge (G3) at Los Alamitos. The result raised the Bill Hoburg-bred, -owned and -trained runner from No. 3 to No. 2 in the latest AQHA Racing National Poll for older horses. Hold Air Hostage, who ...

INDIANAPOLIS, IN—AUGUST 14, 2018—Every year, horsemen and women are given the task to make recommendations to the Indiana Horse Racing Commission to ensure that the Indiana Quarter Horse racing program continues to grow, all while maintaining a balance with the open racing program at Indiana Grand Race Course and Casino in Shelbyville. ...

LOS ALAMITOS, CA—AUGUST 12, 2018—Ed Burgart, the voice of Los Alamitos Race Course, will continue as the track announcer for the night racing action here through the end of 2019 calendar year he announced during a live interview on Saturday night’s "The Quarters" show on TVG. "I had a great conversation with Ed Allred, the owner of Los Alamitos Race Course, and I’ve signed an agreement to remain here for another year," Ed Burgart said. "I’ll take time off during most of February, ...

NORMAN, OK—AUGUST 10, 2018—Jockey Ricky Ramirez has been named the winner of the eighth annual Sam Thompson Memorial Jockey Award. Ramirez will be honored at an awards presentation in the winner's circle at Ruidoso Downs on Sunday, September 2nd during the All American Weekend. Ramirez will receive a belt buckle commemorating the award, as well as a signed and numbered Limited Edition bronze statue of Sam Thompson and Champion Corona Kool by artist Linda Manion made exclusively for the Sam Thompson Memorial Jockey Award. Ramirez's name ...

CASPER, WY—AUGUST 10, 2018—In a time when horse racing across the nation is suffering, Wyoming jumps up and leads the way with new technology and revenue as a way to restore the viability of the state’s horse racing industry as well as securing some economic stability for the state. The revenue from the Historic Horse Racing terminals has ...

PINEVILLE, LA—AUGUST 10, 2018—Funeral services are set Saturday for Louisiana horseman Paul Rudy Ryder, 85, who passed away Tuesday, August 7 at the at Rapides Regional Medical Center in Alexandria, Louisiana. Services for Mr. Ryder will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday (Aug 11) at First United Methodist Church in Pineville, Louisiana. ...

AMERICAN QUARTER HORSE ASSOCIATION—AUGUST 9, 2018—Following a fair number of changes to both AQHA Racing National Polls over the past several weeks, the latest rankings for older horses and 2-year-olds were essentially unchanged this week after a light weekend of stakes action, but the polls show a diverse range of horses. In the older-horse poll, Oklahoma and California competitors dominate the top positions. At the top, two-time world champion Jessies First Down extended his reign at No. 1 in the rankings to 15 consecutive weeks, riding on the accomplishments of winning the Grade 1 Leo Stakes and Remington Park Invitational. He is followed by Sooner State Stakes (RG1) winner ...

AMERICAN QUARTER HORSE ASSOCIATION—AUGUST 8, 2018—AQHA and its Brazilian affiliate, Associação Brasileira de Criadores de Cavalo Quarto de Milha (ABQM), are making great strides toward increasing the value of American Quarter Horses worldwide. Through a joint effort to record the performance of registered American Quarter Horses in Brazil, ...

LOS ALAMITOS, CA—AUGUST 6, 2018— Eddie Garcia was honored in the winner’s circle after the second race on Saturday night after becoming the first jockey to win 150 Quarter Horse stakes races at Los Alamitos Race Course. Garcia reached the milestone aboard the Ron Hartley-owned and John Cooper-trained Black Fryday in the Governor’s Cup ...