MTOBA sends out Memo To Mi. Horsemen: Canceling 2011 Mi. Futurity & Mi. Juvenile Filly Races

MTOBA www.mtoba.com Michigan Thoroughbred Owner’s and Breeder’s Association

Dated: August 2, 2011

The Board of Directors has decided to cancel the running of the 2011 Michigan Futurity and Michigan Juvenile Filly races. The reason for this decision were two-fold:

Jockey Victor Espinoza is Donating 100% Of Weeks Earnings For The Grooms.

Espinoza Donating Week’s Earnings to Grooms

By Blood-Horse Staff
Updated: Wednesday, August 3, 2011 9:02 PM
Posted: Wednesday, August 3, 2011 8:33 PM

Jockey Victor Espinoza plans to donate 100% of his earnings for the week beginning Aug. 10 at the Del Mar race meet to the California Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Foundation, to be used exclusively to assist Southern California racetrack grooms.

CTHF is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life in the community of stable workers occupied with the care of Thoroughbred racehorses at California’s major racetracks, fair circuit tracks, and state recognized off-track training centers. CTHF administers medical and dental services through its on-track clinics, making health care accessible and affordable for more than 5,000 backstretch workers and their families.

“Everybody has done a lot of things for different foundations, but I never hear about anybody doing something just for the grooms,” said Espinoza. “The grooms are important for everybody in horse racing; they take care of the horses more than anybody, sometimes 24 hours a day,” he continued. “If a horse gets sick at midnight, who’s going to be there? The groom has to get up. But if the grooms are sick, they can’t take care of the horses.”

Espinoza initially contacted Madeline Auerbach, an owner and longtime friend who recently accepted an appointment to the CTHF advisory board.

“Victor came to me and said, ‘I want to do something for the grooms. Can you help me do it?’ and I thought CTHF would be a good fit,” said Auerbach.

“Victor is not only a great guy and very talented journeyman, but he actually cares about the racing community,” she added. “He has tremendous respect for the grooms and understands that what they bring to the sport really makes a difference. To be honest, a good groom can make the difference between winning and losing.”

Mt. Pleasant Where is Sunday’s Thoroughbred Card Results?

Mount Pleasant Meadows Disaster Has Been Approved By The MGCB.

MIHBPA Website.

A victory for what would seem to be a certain few especially one in particular that is not only a HBPA board member but also a MQHA member as well. The biggest cheer leader for trying to acquire hero status among the Quarter Horsemen. But will this meet be beneficial for the rest of the Thoroughbred Horsemen?

Michigan Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association Have Lost Their Minds.

In 2010 the HBPA voted to give all their money to Pinnacle Race Course. Almost a Million dollars to fund their own meet. I know Jerry and Lisa Campbell were happy about that vote.

To finish their extremely long meet of 41 ( they had to buy back 39 days after the MGCB knocked the Thoroughbreds to just 3 ) days the money literally came from their purses. Hell they even forked out $33,000 to pay Pinnacle’s water bill to Huron Township.

Then they questioned the legalities of it all.

Well now in 2011 after Jerry Campbell not willing to tell anybody of his intentions for 2011 when it was already May. One of the MIHBPA board members had a brilliant idea!!!

Lets send off a letter to the MGCB withdrawing our support of PRC. They never ever had to give one of support so why they decided to send one withdrawing support is beyond me. Nevertheless it resulted in the MGCB telling Campbell either shit or get off the pot.

He got off the pot alright and after wiping his ass with his conditional license he threw it back into the MGCB’s face and in essence the MIHBPA’s as well.

Enter Brilliant Idea Number 2!!!

Thistledown: Michigan Trainers and Jockeys Lead The Way

Thistledown: Michigan transplants lead the standings

06/15/2011
By Chuck Scaravilli – DRF

OHIO Racetrack VLTs Next?

OH Casinos Move Forward; Racetrack VLTs Next?

By Tom LaMarra – BloodHorse
Updated: Monday, June 13, 2011 8:20 PM
Posted: Monday, June 13, 2011 2:28 PM

Ohio Gov. John Kasich has reached an agreement that will resume construction on casinos in Cincinnati and Cleveland—and according to published reports permit video lottery terminals at the state’s seven racetracks.

Thoroughbred Racing Back In The City Of Detroit At The Fairgrounds?

Now that Pinnacle Race Course has made its decision.

2010 Kentucky Derby Runner — “Devil May Care” Euthanized

How utterly sad hearing this news. Only 4 years old.

Minnesota State Senator & Representative Introduce Racino Legislation

Racino Legislation Introduced in Minnesota

Oaklawn Park Increases Purses for the third time this year. But then Arkansas Gave Oaklawn Further Gaming in 2006 making this Race Track a RACINO.

Oaklawn Boosts Purses for Third Time

NEHBPA & SUFFOLK DOWNS HAVE REACHED A DEAL.

 

SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO FIGHT FOR YOURSELVES!

NEHBPA & Suffolk Downs Close to a Deal _ Oklahoma Joined other HBPA Chapters and also pulled their Signal

Suffolk, NEHBPA Close; Deal Expected

Updated: Tuesday, March 1, 2011 10:11 PM
Posted: Tuesday, March 1, 2011 10:06 PM

Michigan’s Hypocritical Attitude on Gaming ~ From Casinos to Charity Casinos but continue to Say No to the Horse Racing Tracks.

Kathie Oviedo Named Deputy Commissioner of Charitable Gaming

Jan. 2011

New England Horsemen Tells Suffolk Downs No Deal

NEHBPA Rejects Suffolk Downs Proposal

Suffolk Downs Still Playing Games With The NEHBPA

Time Running Out for Suffolk Downs Agreement

Excerpt:

“Suffolk Downs has advanced its latest proposal and has set hard deadlines,” NEHBPA general counsel Frank Frisoli said. “(Feb. 25) is the day for us to get back to them, and they said after that their position is likely to change. Ours would then change as well.

And This Race Track has the nerve to say on their website that the Horsemen have no regards for the bettors or employees.

Yeah Right.

Suffolk Downs Wants Signals……. AWE teardrops.

Frankly the song I posted for Monday is a perfect scenario.

Suffolk finally realizing The TRACK Needs It’s Horsemen/Women. About time you did know it.

Pinnacle Race Course’s Troubled Track and Horsemen

Pinnacle in Negotiations for 2011 Race Dates

Gorham said the Campbells are currently trying to work out a deal with the HBPA and the Michigan Gaming and Control Board to host a 2011 race meet.

Many right now would like to know what Bob Gorham is talking about? Including other Board Members. Pinnacle has met with the MGCB, but neither them nor Campbell will discuss a thing with the MIHBPA. So why is Bob Gorham telling the BloodHorse that Pinnacle is in negotiations with the HBPA?

Suffering Suffolk Downs now requests permission from NEHBPA to Restore Signals after Maryland joins Fl., Ohio & Oregon HBPAs in Pulling their Signals in Support of Fellow NE Horsemen.

Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association pulled its signal Feb.15, 2011

Excerpt:

In January the NEHBPA pulled the simulcasting signal from the New York Racing Association, and then horsemen in Ohio, Florida, and Oregon withdrew their consent. Now the Maryland horsemen have lent their support so races from Aqueduct, Gulfstream Park, Tampa Bay Downs, Beulah Park, Portland Meadows, and Laurel Park cannot be simulcast at Suffolk. Under Massachusetts law, state residents are also prohibited from betting those tracks through their advance deposit wagering accounts.

Suffolk Asks To Restore Simulcast Signal

Suffolk Downs Slashes Simulcasting

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/61342/suffolk-downs-cuts-simo-operations?&utm_source=DailyNewsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20110215

Aqueduct Stable Area Closing For 6 weeks & The Michigan Thoroughbred Horsemen Continue To Be Ignored.

Aqueduct Backstretch to Close for Six Weeks.

More Thoroughbred Signals pulled ~ Oregon Thoroughbred Horsemen have joined Fl. and Ohio HBPA in support of New England T.B. Horsemen

Again WAY To UNITE, Way To Go!

Oregon Horsemen Supporting NEHBPA

Florida Horsemen and the Ohio HBPA have pulled their signals in support of the New England Chapter.

WAY TOO UNITE, WAY TO GO!

Contract Stalemate Continues at Suffolk Downs

Updated: Saturday, February 5, 2011 9:02 PM
Posted: Saturday, February 5, 2011 4:45 PM

By Lynne Snierson

While the management of Suffolk Downs and the New England Horsemen’s and Benevolent Protective Association remain locked in a bitter stalemate over a new contract for live racing in 2011, Florida horsemen and the Ohio HBPA have pulled their signals in support of the New England chapter.

Horse Power & Heart = Zenyatta ~ Wins 2010 Horse Of The Year

Zenyatta Crowned Horse of the Year

Calder Race Course Fights Back. Say they will race year round.

When Gulfstream Park owner MID announced it will hold racing days during the time period that Calder alone has raced for 20 years. That set the stage for fight on.

Calder Says It Will Race Year-Round

First Maryland, Now Florida ~ MI Developments creates new chaos

Maryland now has 2011 Racing Dates

Maryland Has 2011 Dates; Commission OKs Plan

Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen take a Stand & Frank Stronach relinquishes control of MI Developments

See Story below after first one.

” Horsemen’s representatives said the MJC is seeking things they find unacceptable, including a shift in purse revenue to the operator; a pari-mutuel takeout increase; and closure of the Bowie Training Center, which is mandated to remain open by law.

Alan Foreman, general counsel for the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, after the meeting said action must be taken within 48 hours to avoid a shutdown of racing. He said the problems stem from a dysfunctional partnership between MID and PNGI.

“It’s so complicated,” Foreman said. “We thought it was time to say enough is enough. Since (MID, formerly Magna Entertainment Corp.) took over it has been one disaster after another. We need to put a stop to this.”

 

Northville Downs Quiet?

Silence is golden, golden, but my eyes still see.

Stronach says yes, Horsemen say no in Maryland

Stronach Reaches Agreement With MD Horsemen