The Horsemen’sNewsletter

June/July 2015 Vol. 25 • Number 6

The Maryland Racing Commission, at its regular monthly meeting on May 19, voted to adopt new emergency regulations to limit the levels of cobalt, which is suspected of enhancing endurance in thor-oughbred and standardbred horses racing in Maryland.

MRC executive director Mike Hopkins said the proposed regulations will be put on an accelerated path to ap-proval and are expected to be in place by July 1.

Cobalt is an essential mineral found naturally in all mammals and is normally ingested as part of vitamin B-12. When overused it is believed to have the poten-tial to increase red blood cell production and thereby possibly increase the oxygen-carrying ability of those cells.  The potential end result on racehorses is that it could make a horse carry its rate of speed longer.

“I have seen the use of cobalt in the harness horses, but not in thor-oughbreds in Maryland,” said Hopkins. “But these regulations cover both breeds.”

A report by the Association of Racing Commissioners Internation-al’s Scientific Advisory Group on cobalt also said high levels of cobalt

had the potential to cause acute toxic effects on horses, creat-ing a horse welfare concern.

In fact, Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association General Counsel Alan Foreman said

“this is as much a horse welfare issue” as it is about stopping a suspected effort to increase endurance in the animals.

After reviewing the report, the ARCI, at its April meeting, voted unanimously to recom-

mend two proposals to limit the use of cobalt.

Continues Page 2

Regulations For Cobalt Adopted

Plans call for the summer meet at Lau-rel Park to be expanded to include Friday through Sunday racing each week in July. The additional dates will allow for greater utilization of the Laurel turf course, one of the nation’s finest.

With the addition of 13 racing days in July, there will be a total of 24 days of live racing at Laurel during the summer, from the July 4th holiday weekend starting Fri-day, July 3, through Monday, Aug. 23. The changes to the summer schedule are expect-

ed to be officially approved at the Maryland Racing Commission meeting on June 16 at Laurel Park.

This year marks the first live summer racing program in Maryland since 2010. The Maryland Jockey Club had been prohibited from running in July because of terms of a deal MJC had with Colonial Downs. That deal was to expire in 2016, however

The Stronach Group’s chief operating officer Tim Ritvo negotiated a reprieve with Colo-nial Downs CEO Jeffery Jacobs to permit July.

The MTHA will purchase the month of July to fulfill its obligations under the 10-Year deal. Originally the deal was MTHA would be responsible for 50 percent of the commingled costs of August and December.

July Added to Racing Calendar

The MRC, after studying the report, voted to establish those regulations.

The first proposal establishes that horses that tests show to have more than 25 parts per billion (ppb) but less than 50 ppb of cobalt in their systems will be issued warnings and placed on a list that will not allow them to re-enter competition until another blood test is taken and shows cobalt levels below 25 ppb. The additional blood test or tests will be at the owners’ expense.

The second regulation establishes that anyone whose horse exceeds 50 ppb will have their horse disqualified, the purse will be for-feited and the trainer will be suspended on

a case-by-case basis for 15 or more days, or fined or both. The horse also will be placed on a list and will not be allowed to participate again until blood tests show a minimum of 25 ppb of cobalt.

  “The Maryland Racing Commission has been testing for cobalt and so far they’ve not seen any problems in thoroughbreds,” Fore-man said. “But its been detected it in some standardbreds.  If they [the MRC] see anything [from now until the proposed rules are ap-proved] the MRC will call [those in violation of the new proposed rules] and warn them” that the new regulations are coming.

Because cobalt is naturally occurring in vitamin B-12 in horses, and is a supplement found in feed, ARCI has to be very careful about determining the levels at which cobalt is naturally found in horses.  The latest scien-tific report has done that to the organization’s satisfaction and now Foreman said racing as-sociations around the country are taking ac-tion.

“Indiana has already adopted the recom-mendations,” Foreman said. “California is monitoring cobalt and New York has been looking at it.  It shouldn’t be a surprise to any-one.”

The Horsemen’sNewsletter

Published by the

MTHA500 Redland Court – Suite 105, Owings Mills, Maryland 21117;

(410) 902-6842; Fax: (410) 902-6841; E-mail: info@mdhorsemen.com

Website: www.mdhorsemen.com

Calendar

DonationsThe fol lowing generous people made

contributions to the backstretch this past month: Linda Gaudet, Gene Gilhooly, Phoebe Hayes, J.D. Brown, Dave Rodman, Jack Adamecz and Tony Aquirre.

Golf Winners The winners for the Golf Outing on Mon-day, April 27th at Walden Country Club were as follows:

1st Place: Alfonso Griffith, Eddie Pryzybyla and Chris Michael

2nd Place: Jack Adamecz, Orvie Thummel, Jack Nimms, and Aaron Nimms

3rd Place: Katy Voss, Bob Manfuso, Bob Purdy and John Dinatale

Longest Drive Award: Ed DemingClosest to Pin Award: Ed PryzybylaClosest to Pin Award: Julian PimentalOriole Ticket Package: Wayne PottsBaysox Ticket Package: Aaron NimmsAll had a great time of fellowship, food,

drink and golf! The next outing at Walden will be Monday, September 28, 2015.

Softball The MTHA is still offering a league or pick-up forum for Softball at Laurel this summer. Please call Dan for info.

Bowie Baysox Tickets The Bowie Baysox Tickets are going fast. Tickets are still available by signing up in the track kitchens.

Orioles Tickets The Orioles Baseball Package winners from the last drawing at Pimlico were: Tuesday, June 16th vs Philadelphia: Oliver Smith, Saturday, June 27th vs. Cleveland: Mike Grady, Monday, June 29th vs. Texas: Richard Monterrey.

Bowling TournamentOn Monday, June 22nd, the MTHA will be

sponsoring a bowling outing at the Laurel AMF Lanes. There will be money prizes for winners of the outing. We will start at noon.

Recreation Report Dan Mangum410-802-5798

MTHA AnnualMeeting

Thursday, June 18, 2015Laurel Park Ruffian Room5PM - All Members Invited

Continued from Cover

Organized by jockey Ronald Singh, fellowship and bible study services are slated to begin again in June at Pimlico. All are welcome. Services will be held on Monday evenings at 6:30 p.m. in the area outside of the Racing Office. Dinner will be provided

If you are interested, please call Mr. Singh for details at (410) 305-4780.

Fellowship Services at Pimlico To

Resume

Live Racing:Pimlico Spring Meet ................. Now - Jun. 6 Laurel Park Summer Meet .. Jul. 3 - Aug. 23 Timonium ......................... Aug. 28 - Sept. 7 Laurel Park Fall Meet ....... Sept. 12 - Dec. 31

Sales:OBS June 2YO & HORA Sale ......... Jun. 16-19

Fasig-Tipton July Sale ............................ Jul. 9

Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale .......... Aug. 10-11

OBS Select Sale of Yearlings ............ Aug. 25

OBS Open Sale of Yearlings ....... Aug. 26-27Keeneland September Yearling Sale .............................. Sept. 14-26

Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Fall Yearling Sale ................................ Oct. 6

Dan Mangum410-802-5798

Board Actions

MTHA Board Meeting – May 28, 2015 – Pimlico

Members present: Timothy L. Keefe (President), Linda S. Gaudet (Vice President), R. Larry Johnson (Vice President), Michael F. Horning (Treasurer), Katharine M. Voss (Secretary), A. Ferris Allen, Chris tine E. Bricker, Ellen M. Charles, Robert T. Manfuso, H. Graham Motion and Michael J. Trombetta.

Members absent: Dale Capuano, JoAnn Hayden, Lawrence E. Murray and Charles J. Reed.

MHAF / Gate FeeThe Board unanimously authorized full payment of the Gate Fee directly to MTHA as of July 1,

2015 for the administration of horsemen’s benevolence, the Horsemen’s Counseling Program and the Backstretch Health Center.

2015 Race DaysThe Board accepted the Executive Committee’s recommendation and approved a revised 2015

racing schedule that includes July live racing dates on the condition that eight races per day are scheduled in July to conserve purse money. In addition, the Board approved the purchase of July 2015 from Maryland Jockey Club to fulfill it’s obligations under the 10-Year Deal with a cap of expenses of $1.5-million.

Horsemen, Don’t Forget

Your 20% Discount

The Maryland Thoroughbred Horse-men’s Association would like to remind all horsemen about a good deal available to them as Maryland Jockey Club license holders.

License holders receive a 20 percent discount at restaurant dining rooms and at the gift shops at Pimlico Race Course and Laurel Park, confirmed Phoebe Hayes, MJC director of horsemen’s rela-tions.

“A discount program has been in place for a long time,” she said. “But pre-mium days are blacked out.”

Among the premium days not includ-ed are: the Preakness and Black-Eyed Susan Day, De Francis Dash Day, Mary-land Million Day, Memorial Day, Thanks-giving Day, New Year’s Day, President’s Weekend, Kentucky Derby Day, Belmont Stakes Day, Mother’s Day, and Fourth of July weekend.

Hayes said the MRC license must be presented to the server and full taxes and gratuities must be paid.

The gift shop, said Diana Harbaugh, MJC director of printing & promotions, also offers the 20 percent discount on most items as well.

“There are a few items from local art-ists in the shop that we do not offer any discounts on without the artists’ permis-sion,” Harbaugh said. “But otherwise the discount is good and can be used by any-one that holds a Maryland racing license – owners, trainers, jockeys, grooms, em-ployees and so on.”

Missed Days (12)

Timonium

Previous schedule June - December = 72

Revised schedule June - December = 74Live Race Days at Laurel Park

REVISED 2015 MARYLAND RACING SCHEDULE ( WITH MISSED DAYS)

Missed Days (12)

Timonium

Previous schedule June - December = 72

Revised schedule June - December = 74Live Race Days at Laurel Park

REVISED 2015 MARYLAND RACING SCHEDULE ( WITH MISSED DAYS)

Missed Days (12)

Timonium

Previous schedule June - December = 72

Revised schedule June - December = 74Live Race Days at Laurel Park

REVISED 2015 MARYLAND RACING SCHEDULE ( WITH MISSED DAYS)

Missed Days (12)

Timonium

Previous schedule June - December = 72

Revised schedule June - December = 74Live Race Days at Laurel Park

REVISED 2015 MARYLAND RACING SCHEDULE ( WITH MISSED DAYS)

2015 Live Racing Calendar

MTHA Soccer LeagueThe MTHA Soccer League is scheduled to

begin on Sunday, June 7th and run thru July. We have seven teams thus far and are in

search of more. Matches are Sundays on the Howard County field at Laurel Park. Contact

Dan Mangum for info at 410-802-5798.

MTHA500 Redland Court, #105

Owings Mills, Maryland 21117

June/July 2015

STANDARDPRE-SORT

US POSTAGE

PAIDPERMIT #15

WESTMINSTER, MD

Board of DirectorsTimothy L. Keefe, President

Linda S. Gaudet, Vice PresidentR. Larry Johnson, Vice PresidentMichael F. Horning, TreasurerKatharine M. Voss, Secretary

A. Ferris Allen, IIIChristine E. Bricker

Dale CapuanoEllen M. CharlesJoAnn Hayden

Robert T. ManfusoH. Graham MotionLawrence E. Murray

Charles J. ReedMichael J. Trombetta

Free English As A Second Classes (ESL) are offered at two nearby locations of Laurel Park.

First Baptist Church in Laurel is offering English and US Citizenship classes at 10am on Tuesdays and Fridays, and 6:30pm on Wednesdays. There are five levels of learning and citizenship classes. Call 301-725-1688 for more information.

Anne Arundel Community College is also offering English basic skills classes at the Maryland City/Russert Library on Tues-days and Thursday from 6pm - 8:30. Call 410-777-2901 for more information.

Attention ALL Backstretch Employees, Assistant Trainers, Exercise Persons, Grooms, Hotwalkers, Stable Foremen, Trainers, etc.

Services include cholesterol, prostate, blood pressure, body fat composition, carbon monoxide and skin cancer screenings, massage therapy and more.

Note: 10-hour fasting is required for cholesterol tests. All results are confidential and will be sent to the address that you provide.

Sponsored by Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association

Free Health FairsMonday, Aug. 17 • 9:00 am to 12:30 p.m.

Laurel Park Recreation Room

Wednesday, Aug. 19 • 9:00 am to 12:30 p.m. Pimlico MTHA Office

Free English Classes Offered