The Horse of Delaware Valley

Preakness to be held Oct. 3 at Pimlico

Details: May 17, 2020; By Staff Writers

BALTIMORE, Md.--The Preakness will be held on Saturday, Oct. 3 at Pimlico, it was announced during NBC Sports' nationally televised broadcast, The Middle Jewel: American Pharoah's Run to the Triple Crown.

Racing Pimlico Pimlico as it will be when renovated Chairman and president Belinda Stronach joined by Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan made the announcement.

The Preakness Stakes, usually held on the third Saturday in May, was postponed in March due to the coronavirus pandemic and, as previously announced, will not include InfieldFest.

Plans for Black Eyed Susan Day, traditionally held the day before the Preakness, will be announced at a later time.

“Under normal circumstances, I would have stood today at Pimlico Race Course with Ms. Stronach to present the Woodlawn Vase to the winner of the 145th Preakness Stakes," said Gov. Hogan. "But, as we all know, these are not ordinary circumstances. I am delighted that we were successful in working with 1/ST, the Maryland Jockey Club and all who are connected to Maryland's Thoroughbred racing industry to set the new date of October 3rd.”

Pimlico to be rebuilt with Laurel updated

Details: May 8, 2020; By Staff Writers

BALTIMORE, Md--The Racing and Community Development Act of 2020, which will protect the long-term future of horse racing in Maryland through the rebuilding of Pimlico Race Course and Laurel Park into state-of-the art facilities, was one of many bills Gov. Larry Hogan allowed to become law without his signature on May 7.

Racing Pimlico The legislation, which had broad bipartisan support in the House of Delegates and Senate, calls for the Maryland Stadium Authority to issue up to $375 million in bonds for the projects through a combination of funds from the Racetrack Facility Renewal Account, the Purse Dedication Account, video lottery terminal payments to Baltimore City and money from the Maryland Lottery.

The Act will take effect June 1.

The plan that led to the legislation was put together beginning last summer by Alan Foreman, legal counsel for the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association; Alan Rifkin, legal counsel for the Maryland Jockey Club; and Bill Cole, a consultant who previously served as President of the Baltimore Development Corp.

PHTA President Sal DeBunda updates efforts to resume racing in Pennsylvania

Details: May 7, 2020; By Staff Writers

Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association President Sal DeBunda recently outlined the roadmap for getting back to racing in Pennsylvania, particularly at Parx.

Sal DeBunda"The big question is when Parx will reopen, and we don't have any answer for that," said DeBunda. "What I can tell you is what the roadmap looks like."

"Governor Wolf has come up with what I call a zone approach. He has a red zone, a yellow zone and a green zone.

Until May 8, we are all in a red zone. To get from red to yellow, there will have to be less than 50 cases of covid 19 per 100,000 people for 14 days. In the yellow zone, certain businesses will be allowed to reopen.

For Philadelphia and Bucks County, which is where Parx is, right now that's a long road. In Philadelphia, there are 500 cases per 100,000, and in Bucks County there are 350 cases per 100,000 people, so to get to 50 is going to be some task.

If we get to yellow, we can resume racing, but casinos are not allowed to open, even if we get to yellow.

Right now, the casinos, as owners of the tracks, have not committed to opening the tracks until the casinos are open, so we have a chicken and the egg problem that we need to deal with.. Even if we get through the zone issue, the casino operators, who own the racetracks, may not allow the racetracks to open.

To overcome the time frame that we see in the southeast part of Pennsylvania versus the other parts of the state with the zone approach, because of how far we have to go, we're seeking a state wide exemption for racing to resume without patrons.

Wolf has already granted state wide exemptions for construction, golf courses and marinas.

Fasig-Tipton Consolidates Selected Yearling Sales Schedule, will conduct "2020 Selected Yearlings Showcase" in Kentucky Monday, April 27, 2020

Details: April 28, 2020; By Staff Writers

LEXINGTON, Ky.--Fasig-Tipton will consolidate its July, Saratoga, and New York Bred yearling sales into one selected yearling auction – the 2020 Selected Yearlings Showcase – to be held on Wednesday and Thursday, September 9-10, at its Lexington, Kentucky facility.

Fasig Tipton Midlantic scenic inspection FTMscenics5 19FTKPBZM8489 FTMMAY19 WEB Fasig Tipton The company came to the decision after evaluating the progression of the COVID-19 pandemic for the last several weeks.

"We are excited to offer our buyers and sellers a selected yearling venue in Kentucky," said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning. "We envision this catalogue will include yearlings that would traditionally fit our Saratoga Sale, as well as those that would fall in the upper echelons of our July and New York Bred yearling sales."

The July, Saratoga, and NY Bred Selected Yearling Sales will return to their traditional dates in 2021.

N.Y. Times article on Kevin Babington

Details: April 19, 2020; By SARA CAVANAGH

NEW YORK, N.Y.--The New York Times had an excellent front page story about Kevin Babington's fight to regain some if not all ability use his arms and legs after a fall at the Southampton Horse Show last summer.

Kevin Babington podium Kevin Babington celebrating a victory before his accidentpodiumThe story, entitled "After a Fall, an Equestrian Tries to Get Up", jumps to two pages inside the Sports section and includes a number of photos of both Kevin and Dianna, including a photo of Kevin on a machine that helps him to simulate walking during a rehab session at the Center for Neuro Recovery in North Palm Beach, Fla.

You can read the article by googling Kevin Babington and then clicking on the N.Y. Times article.

The article points out how many in the industry have pitched in to help Kevin, including Sisssy Wickes, who raised over $500,000 from 4,859 donors along with other GoFundMe sites and two people who lent Kevin their private planes to fly to medical facilities, including the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, where he is a part of a stem cell study.

Letter to the Editor: From Katie Prudent

Details: April 15, 2020; By Staff Writers

KATIE MONAHAN, INC.
Plain Bay Farm
P.O. Box 1214
Middleburg, VA 20118
March 19, 2020

George Morris 4 George Morris giving a clinic before SafeSportI was giving a lesson the other day to a group of my students who were competing here on the Florida circuit. The lesson was geared specifically around one junior, who had just lost his jumper classic the previous Sunday by knocking down the last vertical in the jump-off. In his
eagerness to win the class, this student had galloped to the last fence; found a flying distance; thrown his shoulders forward at the takeoff; allowed his horse to dive to the corner; and “BAM”, knocked down the jump!

During this calm Tuesday lesson, it was time to get back to basics. I set a low gymnastic line of several short one-strides. Then I asked the riders to stand straight up in their stirrups, not letting themselves lean forward or fall back as they jumped down the small line. I explained to
my students that this exercise was for body control, something vital to learn if they wanted to jump that last vertical clean.

As I watched the kids repeating this exercise, I started to cry. Because at that moment, I was reminded of something that I think of often: Everything that I know about teaching — everything that I’ve given my thousands of students over more than 40 years — was taught to
me by George Morris. The discipline, the exercises, the basics, the work ethic, striving always for high standards — it all comes from George.

George Morris has been the greatest influence in the American hunter/jumper/ equitation world for more than 50 years. When I was growing up, every professional copied George; every coach talked like George; every rider, trainer, judge, and groom cared what George thought of
how they did their job. When George was around, everyone was at their best.

Laura Chapot WEG Circuit Champion plus incredible 1,2,3,4 in 1.40m jumpers

Details: April 14, 2020; By SARA CAVANAGH

WELLINGTON, Fla--Laura Chapot, who seems to be the perennial Winter Equestrian Festival Jumper Rider Circuit Champion, did it again this year, and did it by a huge margin, finishing with 1,263 to second placed Erynn Ballard of Canada's 798 points.

Laura Chapot on Calafornia The Book Laura Chapot on Calafornia (Photo by The Book)Chapot of Neshanic Station, .J., also has, over the years, often placed two or more horses at the top of individual jumpers sections, but this year she finished an incredible first, second, third and fourth in the 1.40m Jumpers with Gideon finishing ninth, meaning she had five horses in the top 10 in a section that had 278 horses winning money in it throughout the shortened 10 weeks of WEF.

Not only did she ride the top four, all four were far ahead of the nearest competitor.

Calafornia was 1.40m Circuit Champion with $13,010,, with Out of Ireland second with $9,600, Thornhill Kate third with $7,430 and Shooting Star fourth with $7,210, while the fifth place horses was almost $2,000 less with $5,575.

"We had a nice group of horses for that division" said Chapot. "We had a couple of up-and-comers and a couple of old standybys. they all went well

Chapot also rode Calmanda 3 to be Seven-Year-Old Developing Jumper Circuit Champion and Umberto to finish second in 1.35m.

Devon Horse Show and Country Fair cancels May show

Details: March 31, 2020; By Staff Writers

Devon, Pa.--It is with deep disappointment that the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair (DHSCF) must announce the cancellation of the 124th DHSCF scheduled for May 21-31, 2020.

This is only the second time that DHSCF has been cancelled - the first was for a three-year period during WWII.

This decision was made only after significant evaluation of the far-reaching operational and financial implications.

The organizers evaluated many options including postponement, and this decision was made independent of the CDC, USEF and FEI as these organizations were unable to provide the necessary timelines for adequate planning.

In fairness to the competitors, vendors, volunteers and all others involved, the DHSCF believes that this decision is the best for everyone under the circumstances.

In the coming weeks, the DHSCF and its organizers will be contacting all stakeholders with information regarding cancellation processes.

As the DHSCF grounds are now closed per state requirements, all staff is working remotely but will respond to all requests as quickly as possible.

The health and well-being of entire DHSCF community is of utmost importance at this time. The DHSCF encourages all of those involved to closely follow local, state and national guidelines.

The Devon Horse Show and Country Fair looks forward to celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2021! For additional information please visit our website at www.DevonHorseShow.net.

The use of drugs and the number of fatalities in racing in the U.S. versus those in Europe

Details: March 24, 2020; By SARA CAVANAGH

The arrests of 27 people, including Jason Servis and Jorge Navarro, on Monday, March 9 brought again to the forefront the discussion of the higher number of horse fatalities in this country as compared to Europe.

Racing generic 2 According to the Jockey Club, the fatality rate at racetracks in the U.S. is two and a half to five times greater than the fatality rate in Europe.

Much of the media blames this on the use of drugs in America, but in fact there are a myriad of reasons.

According to many well respected trainers, owners and officials, the difference in breaking, training and racing horses in England and Europe is the biggest difference in fatalities, not drugs.

In this country, almost from the time they are weaned, youngsters, instead of growing up in pastures, are worked in preparation for sales, often being walked on walkers, always to the left.

The they go to the track where they are worked constantly to the left, putting a bigger strain on the legs on that side.

Willowdale Races cancelled

Details: March 23, 2020; By SARA CAVANAGH

Willowdale Steeplechase races, originally schedule for May 8 then rescheduled for June 6, has been cancelled.

Another cancellation

Details: March 22, 2020; By SARA CAVANAGH

RADNOR RACES in Malvern, Pa., scheduled for May 16, has been cancelled.

Cancellations and revised schedule continue

Details: March 20, 2020; By SARA CAVANAGH

HUNTER FARMS WINTER SERIES final show on March 28 - 29 has been cancelled.

Laura Chapot shows at Hunter FarmsTHE UPPERVILLE COLT AND HORSE SHOW and the Loudoun Benefit Horse Show jointly announce that both events, scheduled to be held from June 1-7 and June 10-14, respectively; will not be held on their current dates in June due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The event organizers are actively seeking alternative dates for both events in the Fall of 2020.

Middleburg Classic and Piedmont Jumper Classic have kindly offered their dates of September 14-20for Upperville.

Upperville and Loudoun have shared expenses, so they are looking at two weeks when they can run consecutively during September.

LAUREL PARK live racing has been cancelled because of orders from Maryland Governor Hogan and is cancelled until further notice because of the Covid-19 crisis.

AQUEDUCT live racing has been suspended until further notice due to changing circumstances in the racing community relative to the coronavirus.

A backstretch worker who lives and works at Belmont Park tested positive Thursday morning for the coronavirus.

OAKLAWN has announced that it is moving its signature race--the GI Arkansas Derby--from Saturday, Apr. 11 to Saturday, May 2, closing day of the 2020 live meet.

SANTA ANITA and Golden Gate Fields will conduct live racing as scheduled Friday and the rest of the weekend.

A state-wide “stay at home” order California governor Gavin Newsom issued Thursday evening in an attempt to curb the spread of the coronavirus—telling residents to remain indoors with the exception of essential trips and services—had cast some doubts about the viability of live racing going ahead this weekend.

But Aidan Butler, acting executive director of California racing for the Stronach Group (TSG), explained in a text Friday—with first post times looming—that racing would go ahead as planned.

Devon Horse Show prize list and entry forms available online

Details: March 22, 2020; By Staff Writers

DEVON, Pa.--The 2020 Devon Horse and Country Fair is closely monitoring information regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

Devon generic jumper The safety and welfare of our exhibitors, staff and attendees is our top priority.

Our committee continues to review the communications on this illness issued from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, USEF, FEI and other regulatory organizations.

Meanwhile, the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair (DHSCF) has announced that the prize list and entry forms for its 2020 event are now available online.

Closures continue

Details: March 19, 2020; By SARA CAVANAGH

THE GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE in Butler, Md., scheduled for April 18, has been cancelled.

Senior Senator, winner of the 2019 Maryland Hunt CupTHE MARYLAND HUNT CUP in Glyndon, Md., scheduled for April 25, has been cancelled.

Although there has so far not been any announcement from MY LADY'S MANOR, scheduled for April 11, it is likely to also be cancelled.

THE GRAND NATIONAL FESTIVAL in Aintree, England, schedule for April 2-4, has been cancelled.

LAUREL PARK'S stable area will be closed to horses other than those based at Laurel and Pimlico Race Course, effectively immediately.

A couple more changes

Details: March 18, 2020; By SARA CAVANAGH

MIDDLEBURG RACES in Middleburg, Va., scheduled for April 15, has been changed to May 30.

THE QUEEN'S CUP RACES in Mineral Springs, N.C., has been cancelled.

More cancellations and revised schedules

Details: March 17, 2020; By SARA CAVANAGH

PIEDMONT POINT-TO-POINT and Hunter Pace, both scheduled for March 21, have been cancelled.

Winterthur races cancelledTHE FOXHALL FARM CUP TEAM CHASE, scheduled for March 22,has been cancelled.

MR. STEWART'S CHESHIRE FOXHOUNDS ended its season early and is no longer hunting, and the Cocktail Party, scheduled for March 28 to celebrate the Point-to-Point, has been rescheduled for May 30.

CHESHIRE POINT-TO-POINT, originally scheduled for March 29, will be held Sunday, June 7th at the Willowdale race course.

All pre-purchased tickets will be honored on June 7th.

BRANDYWINE HILLS POINT-TO-POINT, scheduled for April 5, has been cancelled.

WINTERTHUR STEEPLECHASE, scheduled for Sunday, May 3, has been cancelled.