WHRC is seeking comment on proposed rule amendment for voiding claims
The WHRC is seeking public comment regarding a petition received requesting to amend WAC 260-60-460 Cancellation of claims. Current language allows for a claim to be canceled if a horse suffers a catastrophic injury during the race that results in euthanasia within two hours following the official off time of the race. The proposed language would expand the circumstances to cancel a claim in the event that following the race the horse is placed on the official veterinarians list for being lame or unsound. Click here for the language. Please provide comments on or before January 2nd, 2020 to doug.moore@whrc.state.wa.us.
Emerald Downs announces 2020 Race Dates
Emerald Downs Racetrack and Casino has announced a 63-day live racing season in 2020, with opening day Saturday, April 18 and continuing through Sunday, September 20.
The 2020 race dates were approved at the Washington Horse Racing Commission monthly meeting Friday at Auburn City Hall. Emerald Downs Racetrack and Casino, which is owned by the Muckleshoot Tribe, will be celebrating their 25th season of racing. Opening Day (Post time 2 pm) is the lone racing day opening weekend, followed by Saturday/Sunday racing April 25-26 and May 2-3. Friday night racing begins May 8, continuing through August. Post times remain similar to last season: 2 pm Sundays, 6:50 pm Fridays. The first eight Saturdays, April 18 through June 6, feature a 2 pm post, while the final 15 Saturdays, June 13 though September 19, feature a 5 pm start. Championship Sunday – featuring four stakes including the 85th Longacres Mile (G3) – is scheduled Sunday, August 9. The complete 2020 stakes schedule will be released in January. The list of live race days can be seen by clicking here. Emerald Downs 2019 concludes live meet
The 2019 Emerald Downs race meet came to a conclusion on September 22nd. The 2019 handle during the live race meet from April, 20 through September 22, was down $1,160,952.40, a decrease of 2.99% from 2018. There was one less wagering day in 2019 as compared to 2018. Advance Deposit Wagering continues to grow, up 5.13% for the racing year.
Horse of the meeting, along with top sprinter and older horse went to Anyportinastorm, who was three for four at the meet with his only defeat a close loss in the Longacres Mile to California invader, Law Abidin Citizen, who was trained by Washington native Mark Glatt. Peter Redekop owned the five year old gelding Anyportinastorm and was trained by Blaine Wright, who won nine stakes race at the meet . Other year end awards went to, No Talking Back, top older filly or mare, Baja Sur, top three year old male, Alittlelesstalk,top three year old filly, Brahms Forest, top claimer, Windy Point, top two year old filly, and Gottstein Futurity winner, Race Home, top two year old male. Both the owner and trainer records were broken in 2019. Trainer Frank Lucarelli won eighty one races at the meet, picking up his 1000th lifetime winner at Emerald Downs. The leading owner in 2019 was newcomer Chad Christensen scored a record thirty two winners during the meet. Leading rider honors went to Gary Wales who booted home ninety nine winners for the season. Other year-end honors went to jockey Alex Anaya, winner of the Lindy Award presented for his accomplishments and sportsmanship during the year, while trainers Sharon Ross and Ken Elison both received the Martin Durkan award for their leadership, cooperation, sportsmanship and excellence on and off the track. Follow the WHRC Board of Stewards on Twitter
You can now follow the WHRC Board of Stewards on twitter. Get the latest rider changes, scratches, etc. directly from the stewards. Limited explanation of inquires and objections will be posted with a link to the Emerald Downs website for daily stewards report with a more detailed explanation that are up within 72 hours of each race day. Click here to start following at @whrcstewards for all the information.
WHRC amends fingerprint requirements
At the regularly scheduled WHRC meeting on March 15, 2019, the commissioners approved an amendment to WAC 260-36-100, which requires fingerprints from all applicants. The current rule required all individuals to furnish fingerprints upon the initial application, and then at an interval determined by the commission thereafter. Based on several factors, which include the accessibility of juvenile records and the deterioration of fingerprints during the aging process which results in the submission to the reporting agency rejecting them, fingerprints will no longer be required for applicants which are under the age of 18, or over the age of 70, on January 1 of the year for which the license is issued. The rule will still allow for the commission to require fingerprints from any licensee or applicant upon request, regardless of age. The $10 fee, which is pro-rated based on a five-year cycle for the submission of prints, will be waived for those not required to submit fingerprints. Upon request of the commission to furnish fingerprints, if the applicant is within the age limits which exempt them, the entire fee of $50 will be submitted.
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2018 WHRC Annual Report
The Washington Horse Racing Commission's 2018 Annual Report to the Governor is available to view by visiting the WHRC Forms and Reports page or clicking here.
Washington State’s Down the Stretch Ranch Garners National Attention
Down The Stretch Ranch co-founded in 2015 by Hall of Fame Trainer, Jerry Hollendorfer, his wife Janet, and Boone McCanna in Creston, Washington has gotten national attention recently. The foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit thoroughbred race horse retirement facility which connects injured or retired racehorses with United States Veterans and through the use of equine therapy helps bring comfort and companionship to veterans.
Down The Stretch ranch was recently placed in national spotlight by trainer Doug O’Neill whose support of the foundation was on display during Breeders Cup week when his horses wore coolers featuring Down The Stretch Ranch. The Paulick Report also recently featured an article written by Hank Wesch of Del Mar about Down The Stretch Ranch and the work it is doing with retired thoroughbred racehorses and veterans that can be viewed by clicking here. For more information on Down The Stretch Ranch and what can be done to support their cause please visit their website http://www.downthestretch.org/ or their Facebook page by clicking here. Rulemaking Notification List
Any person who wishes to receive notification about WHRC rulemaking activities can be added to the stakeholder list. Requests to be added to the stakeholder list may be made by email at whrc@whrc.state.wa.us, by telephone at 360-459-6462, by fax at 360-459-6461, or by mail at 6326 Martin Way, Suite 209, Olympia, WA 98516-5578.
WHRC 2017-2019 Biennial Budget Request
The WHRC has submitted its request for the 2017-2019 biennial budget to the Washington State Legislature. To review the entire budget click here.
Labor and Industries Rates for 2019
The Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) has published its 2019 industrial insurance rates for the Horse Industry Account. Rates are determined by data from the previous five years, July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2018 of exposure and claim experience. Rates, for the second straight year, have slightly decreased for Risk Class 6625, (grooms and assistant trainers), 6626, (Exercise and pony riders at the track), and 6627, (Exercise and pony riders on a farm).
Good safety procedures in the stable area and ensuring that no fraudulent claims are filed are the best ways to stabilize and continue to reduce premiums in the future. The following are the industrial insurance rates for 2019:
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