Posted: 09/06/2010

CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. — A fire early Monday that destroyed four barns next to Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races killed 27 racehorses, and witnesses said they heard squealing from the animals that were trapped in the blaze.

Independent Fire Co. Chief Ed Smith said it was the worst fire he has witnessed involving animals.

Stephen Reggetts, a horse owner who responded to the fire to rescue the animals from the barns on Race Track Street, said he could hear horses “banging at the walls and screaming” inside of the stables.

“Unfortunately, when we arrived we heard some of that. But it didn’t last long. The fire was so intense,” Smith said.

Smith said late Monday that fire marshals might have found two more dead horses at the scene, but he could not confirm the report.

He said 26 horses were rescued, and some were moved to a barn owned by the racetrack.

Officials said Monday afternoon that it was unclear what started the fire, which was reported at 4:41 a.m. More than 40 firefighters were able to prevent the blaze from spreading to barns on either side of the four that were destroyed.

Assistant State Fire Marshal Patrick Barker said Monday that his department was trying to determine the cause of the fire. Parker said he did not know how long the investigation would take.

“I don’t think he’s going to find anything. With a total burn like this, it’s hard to come up with a source,” Smith said.

The barns were owned by three people who leased stalls in the buildings, Smith said.

One of the owners, Stephen Spears, said it will be hard to make a damage estimate until the barn owners meet with the owners of the horses to determine their losses.

Don Poper, who trains racehorses at the track said they can range in value from $4,000 to $8,000. Other equipment that would have been destroyed included saddles, feed tubs and gates, Poper said.

Electric power to the barns was knocked out after the fire began, and Poper described trying to find horses in the dark in some of the barns.

Poper said he first saw a gray horse in one of the barns and sent him out of the building.

The fire became too intense to save other horses, Poper said.

“It was just like a wall of fire coming at you,” he said.

Reggetts, who owns horses but did not have any in the barns, said he started rescuing horses from the barns and putting them in a fenced pen.

“We just jammed them in there. I was just trying to find a safe place to put them,” Reggetts said.

One horse owner at the scene said two of his horses died in the fire. The man, who declined to give his name, said he “lost everything” in the fire and will have to start over.

“I was so upset. I lost it,” the man said, describing his reaction to the blaze.

Firefighters arrived at 4:53 a.m. and connected to a fire hydrant near a parking garage at the track, Smith said. They pulled water lines to the scene and started fighting the fire at 4:57 a.m., Smith said.

Although the fire was under control in about 30 minutes, the blaze was so intense that there was nothing firefighters could do to save the four barns, Smith said. Firefighters and others worked through the morning, removing the remains of horses, Smith said.

When the call was dispatched, officials could see heavy smoke from quite a distance, Smith said. When he arrived at the barns, flames were shooting about 50 feet in the air, Smith said.

One of the barns that was destroyed was nearly burned to the ground when firefighters arrived, and the other three barns had varying levels of damage, Smith said. To keep the blaze from spreading to other barns, firefighters used two water lines each capable of releasing about 1,000 gallons a minute, Smith said.

When word of the fire spread, people began arriving at the scene in an attempt to rescue horses. Smith said he was told two of the animals that were freed were seen at a local 7-Eleven.

Curious onlookers steadily passed by the scene of the fire Monday, including Ranson Mayor David Hamill.

“What can you say? Your heart just bleeds for these people involved,” Hamill said.

Posted: Monday, September 06 2010

CHARLES TOWN, WV - A fire near Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races has destroyed horse stables and killed 24 horses, according to track officials.

The blaze broke out around 5:00 Monday morning.

According to witnesses on scene, several of the horses raced at the track.

The stable is not owned by Charles Town Races, but it is located directly next to the property.

Chief Ed Smith with Charles Town's Independent Fire Company, says the stables are a total loss, valued at a million dollars. The horses that perished were worth thousands more.

Track officials say racing will continue as scheduled tonight. Post time is 1:00. They add that none of the horses killed in the fire were scheduled to race tonight.

An employee of Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races and a firefighter were both transported to Jefferson Memorial Hospital Monday morning with minor injuries.

http://your4state.com/fulltext/?nxd_id=133215

Posted Friday, Sep. 03, 2010

A plan that would have returned Lone Star Park's purses next year to a competitive level and its racing to some semblance of quality has been scrapped, at least for the moment. What that means isn't clear, but it could mean that Texas racing will remain mired in a morass of mediocrity for the foreseeable future.

Talks continue, however. And the Texas Racing Commission will consider the 2011 racing calendar at its next meeting, Sept. 14.

"We have to decide if we want racing in Texas," said Carl Moore of Fort Worth, one of the state's most prominent horse owners. "The Texas Racing Commission should do what's best for the industry so racing has a future in Texas. And we need to do something now."

The immediate problem facing horse racing in Texas is the purses, or prize money. It has fallen so dramatically in recent years that the state's racetracks no longer offer purses that are competitive with those in neighboring states. Last year, for example, Texas racetracks paid $30.22 million in purses, while Louisiana racetracks paid $106.25 million. And at Lone Star's most recently concluded season, the track's purses hit bottom: $150,000 a day. (In both 2000 and 2001, the track paid more than $230,000 a day.)

Lower purses mean a decline in racing quality, which in turn leads to less interest. And so this summer, in an effort to rescue the sport, the state's racetracks announced a plan to consolidate purses for thoroughbreds in one lucrative 2011 season at Lone Star. The initial plan, which didn't allow for any thoroughbred racing in Houston, would have put purses at $280,000 a day. A modified plan put purses at $230,000 a day.

The plan had the support of many of the state's prominent horsemen. And several trainers who once raced in Texas but who in recent years left for higher purses elsewhere, trainers such as Cody Autrey and Donnie Von Hemel, indicated they would be interested in returning if indeed Lone Star purses reached that level.

But a very vocal group opposed the plan. They argued that they needed more racing opportunities; they, in effect, argued for more dates even if that meant lower purses.

In the end, of course, this disagreement, like most, was actually about money. How could any horse owner or trainer, you might wonder, oppose higher purses? Well, higher purses are important only for those who can compete for them.

Each group -- those for higher purses and those for more days -- can sometimes think that horses race for them. In truth, horses race for both groups, but they also, and perhaps most of all, race for the fans. That's the constituency that's neglected and overlooked in all this, and that's the group Texas racing is rapidly losing. The fans want to see quality horse racing, and any compromise that disregards the fans will be a dismal failure.

Anyway, this week, the consolidation plan fell apart. Andrea Young, the president and chief operating officer of Sam Houston, said there's no longer any intention to transfer purse money to Lone Star. Instead, Sam Houston, she said, will ask for a 27-day thoroughbred season, starting Jan. 21.

The Texas Racing Commission this week also issued its proposed calendar, which included a thoroughbred season at Sam Houston, to be followed by a period of mixed racing and by a season for quarter horses.

"All they're doing is trying to satisfy the smaller interests," Moore said, "and I respect those guys. But I'm totally against this [new proposal]. I'm for quality over quantity. Texas needs to get purses up to $230,000 or $250,000 a day to make a difference. We can't just sit here with an inferior racing product and keep the sport going in Texas."

And so where does all this leave Lone Star? The track has applied for 60 days of thoroughbred racing next year, but that was based on the consolidation plan. Without that, Lone Star purses would return to this year's levels, and its racing to another procession of mediocrity, which alienated fans and bettors both locally and nationally.

At this point, the only way to increase purse levels would be to spread the available money over fewer days. Drew Shubeck, Lone Star's president and general manager, said he would meet with horsemen's representatives next week to discuss the situation.

If Lone Star races 40 days, the track could increase purses to an average of about $250,000 a day; if 45, to nearly $200,000. With 50, the purses could be $180,000 a day, which might not be sufficient to improve the quality of the racing. Racing fans, I'm sure, would prefer 40 days of good racing to 50 days of mediocrity.

Web Posted: 09/03/2010 12:00 CDT

Horse trainer Jimmy Ray with "Countdown Queen" at Retama Park Wednesday. John Davenport/Express-News

Jimmy Ray has been coming to Retama Park for more than a decade. He likes the friendly atmosphere of the place and the level of racing typically fits his horses.

But the veteran Texas trainer from Alvarado says he has noticed a change in the mood this year.

“There's a lot of uncertainty,” Ray said. “It's been that way for a while. But it's worse now. It's bothering a lot of people.”

Retama is set to open its 16th thoroughbred season tonight, a meet that figures to be like no other.

Declining revenues forced the Selma facility to trim a 30-day meet to 16 in order to keep the purse structure competitive.

Things are no better at the state's two other Class 1 tracks, Lone Star Park and Sam Houston Race Park, which are also in the middle of desperate financial times.

So much so, in fact, that this spring the tracks' operators introduced a plan calling for a consolidated thoroughbred-racing calendar for 2011 that they hope will save the industry.

Under the proposal, Retama and Sam Houston would transfer their dates and purse funds to Lone Star in Grand Prairie, the state's largest track, to create a single, 65-day meet designed to attract attention from simulcast bettors from around the country.

That plan has been altered somewhat in recent weeks to include a 24-day meet in 2011 at Retama.

But the proposal has done little to soothe the nerves of people like Ray and other small-time Texas horsemen, who say the state of the industry is forcing them to make tough choices.

Many of them fear having to move their base of operations out of state or shut down altogether.

Houston trainer Andy Konkoly said even if Retama is granted a 24-day meet by the Texas Racing Commission, the five-month gap between the end of Retama's meet and the start of the meet at Lone Star in 2011 could drive people like him out of business.

The TRC is expected to consider race date applications Sept. 14.

“I'm not sure guys like me could survive,” said Konkoly, 65, who has 14 stalls at Retama. “We can't go that long without running our horses.”

Some plan to go out-of-state to run their horses. Ray, 52, says he'll run at Retama only the first three weeks during the current meet, and then begin shipping his 24-horse barn to Turf Paradise near Phoenix.

“I don't really want to leave Texas,” Ray said. “But unless things change, I probably won't be back.”

Retama officials are trying their best to stage a quality meet.

They report purse levels should be at $80,000-$85,000 a day — about what they were last year — and that most races likely will sport full fields. Also, admission for fans is free on Saturdays.

But several of the top jockeys and trainers have not returned this year. The list includes Eguard Tejera, winner of three straight jockey titles.

Date Posted: 9/3/2010 2:06:15 PM

Gulfstream Park will have more money coming from slot machines and poker for purses, more betting stations, and a larger betting menu for the 2011 meet that will also feature the installation of lights.

The meet at the Hallandale Beach, Fla., track begins Jan. 5.

Gulfstream’s parent MI Developments "has stepped up to the plate" for larger purses, and the track’s purse contributions from slots and poker are up since July 1 following a Florida law change, Gulfstream general manager Steve Calabro said Sept. 2.

Gulfstream’s plan to install lights was first reported in Daily Racing Form Sept. 2, based on information provided by Dennis Mills, the CEO of Aurora, Ontario-based MID.

Mills said Gulfstream will install lights even though Florida law does not permit Thoroughbred racing after 7 p.m. He said Gulfstream hopes the Florida legislature will change that law during its two-month session that begins March 8.

Gulfstream will end its 2011 meet April 24. Thus, it is extremely unlikely Florida will allow night racing prior to the end of that Gulfstream meet.

Calabro confirmed the plan to install lights. "It is corporate-wide initiative that is being driven by the corporate team," he said.

Calabro said Gulfstream will raise its average daily overnight purses about 15%, from $215,000 in 2010 to $250,000 in 2011. Combined with stakes, Gulfstream’s average daily purses will be about $350,000.

Gulfstream will add an early pick four bet and is considering more new bets, said Calabro, who is entering his first racing season as Gulfstream’s top executive. Gulfstream will expand its number of betting stations during the meet from 400 to 450, he said. That is a combination of tellers and automatic terminals.

MID on Aug. 27 announced a program at Gulfstream, Santa Anita Park, and Golden Gate Fields that offers up to $5.5 million in bonuses for a horse that wins 3-year-old prep races at those tracks and goes on to win the Preakness Stakes (gr. I) May 21. MID also owns Pimlico Race Course, the Preakness site.

On Sept. 2, Gulfstream released its 2011 stakes schedule--with additional details about that program for its Jan. 29 Holy Bull Stakes (gr. III), Feb. 26 Fountain of Youth Stakes (gr. II) and April 3 Florida Derby (gr. I), which will have a purse of $1 million next year.

Calabro said Gulfstream will soon announce a bonus program for 3-year-old fillies that run in its prep races for the April 2 Gulfstream Park Oaks (gr. II). That 1 1/8 mile race was previously known as the Bonnie Miss.

On Saturday, April 2, and Sunday, April 3, Gulfstream will hold its first "Florida Derby Festival Weekend," with six graded stakes over two days. It is calling that Saturday "Ladies Day," and will have racing-oriented promotions for female fans.

Gulfstream is returning the Florida Derby to a schedule in which it is run five weeks prior to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) at Churchill Downs May 7. From 2005 to 2009, Gulfstream held the Florida Derby five weeks prior to the Kentucky Derby, but in 2010 it fell six weeks before the classic in Louisville, Ky.

Calabro said Gulfstream and many horsemen believe the five-week timing is a better progression.

"In 2010, we continued our strong record of sending horses to the Triple Crown," he said. Calabro noted that nine of the 20 Kentucky Derby entrants raced at Gulfstream. In addition, 51% of Triple Crown starters raced or trained at Gulfstream or trained at MID’s Palm Meadows Training Center in Boynton Beach, Fla.

By moving the Florida Derby to a Sunday, Gulfstream hopes to build a major two-day weekend for on-site fans and bettors around the country, Calabro said.

Calabro has headed Gulfstream’s casino and poker operations since September 2007. In its two casino rooms, the track has 846 Las Vegas-style slot machines.

A Florida law that took effect July 1 reduces the state tax rate from 50% to 35% on net slot machine revenue at pari-mutuel facilities.

Gulfstream and Calder Casino & Race Course in Miami Gardens are among the five Florida pari-mutuel facilities with casinos and slot machines that are permitted for racetracks and jai-alai frontons only in Miami-Dade and Broward counties.

Enactment of the law triggered a clause in Gulfstream’s contract with the Florida Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, raising Gulfstream’s slots-related contribution to purses from 6.75% to 14.25% of net slots revenue. The law also allows all Florida pari-mutuel outlets to have poker rooms open 24 hours on weekends and 18 hours on weekdays. The previous limit was 12 hours per day.

In addition, Gulfstream and other facilities can now offer no-limit poker games. Gulfstream is doing that, and continues to offer games with various betting limits.

Florida pari-mutuel facilities’ poker receipts, basically net revenue, are from the so-called "rakes" they take as a percentage of money from each hand and from players’ buy-in fees for games and tournaments. At Calder and Gulfstream, 47% of poker receipts are contributed to purses, and 3% to breeders’ awards. Florida pari-mutuel facilities pay a state tax of 10% on poker receipts.

Gulfstream’s poker receipts were up from $329,326 in July 2009 to $428,353 in July 2010, according to the Florida Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering.

"That is a 30% increase, and the numbers will show us up even more in August," Calabro said.

Gulfstream promoted Calabro to general manager, the track’s top job, on May 27. He succeeded Ken Dunn, who resigned after serving as Gulfstream president and general manager since last Nov. 1.

Calabro had been Gulfstream’s vice president of gaming operations since September 2007. He now has responsibility for racing, gaming, and all operations.

"Steve Calabro has done a wonderful job since he came to Gulfstream, and is continuing to do that," said Sam Gordon, president of the Florida HBPA. "He was very involved since his first day (as general manager) in meeting with horsemen to set up next year’s schedule and played a big role in the Preakness bonus program. The horsemen are looking forward to working with Steve."

Calabro, 52, spent most of his career working in management for casinos owned by Harrah’s and Trump International Resorts.

Calabro said he has been "an avid racing fan" since the late 1970s when he began going to Monmouth Park and Meadowlands in his native state of New Jersey. "In business, I have been a ‘slots guy’," he said. "But I have learned about the racing business at Gulfstream from the former presidents here."

Calabro said Gulfstream’s team of three top racing officials is in place for 2011. They are Bernie Hettel, director of racing operations; Dan Bork, racing secretary; and Cliff Hopmans, director of horsemen’s relations.

Date Posted: 8/31/2010 6:24:21 PM Last Updated: 9/1/2010 11:43:47 AM

An effort to finalize proposed regulations on out-of-competition testing of horses in Kentucky erupted into a lively debate over penalties when two panels met in joint session via teleconference Aug. 31.

The out-of-competition regulations have been drafted, revised, and debated over the course of several meetings and in public meetings conducted by a joint committee of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission and the Equine Drug Research Council. The Aug. 31 session, in which members of the two bodies participated via teleconference from locations in Louisville, Ky., and Lexington, were designed to finish a proposal to be submitted to the full KHRC at its Sept. 7 meeting.

Four states and Canada currently have out-of-competition testing, which allows the commission to conduct tests on horses regardless of location if there is a likelihood the horse ordered for testing will race in Kentucky. The tests are aimed at detecting prohibited substances, mainly blood-doping agents, that cannot be detected in post-race tests.

During an Aug. 26 meeting, the three-member rules committee and eight-member EDRC settled on a penalty of license revocation of one to 10 years and a fine up to $50,000 for an owner, trainer, or their designated representative when a horse tests positive under the regulations. The same penalties would apply for refusal or inability to have the horse available for testing after being notified, under a set of parameters outlined in the regulation.

But as the rules committee and EDRC, which was empowered by the state legislature to recommend drug policy to the KHRC, went through the final changes in the document Aug. 31, it quickly became clear that some of those involved in the decision-making process were not happy with the earlier penalty recommendation.

Tom Conway, an attorney, horse owner, and rules committee member, recommended that the penalty be amended to between five to 10 years. He and Ned Bonnie, also an attorney and horse owner who chairs the rules committee, said they believed the one- to 10-year penalty provides too much leeway to the regulators who would be imposing the penalties and would not withstand a legal challenge.

State Sen. Damon Thayer, a member of the EDRC who had not attended previous meetings of the two panels working on the out-of-competition testing regulations, strongly suggested that Kentucky adopt the mandatory 10-year license revocation adopted by most of the other jurisdictions that have similar testing.

"I believe we need to have a 10-year penalty so we can have uniformity" with other states’ out-of-competition testing, Thayer said, noting that a stiff penalty would be more palatable to the Breeders’ Cup World Championships. The Breeders’ Cup, which will be held at Churchill Downs Nov. 5-6, has been cited as a reason for Kentucky adopting out-of-competition testing regulations.

Dr. Mary Scollay-Ward, the KHRC equine medical director, pointed out that California’s out-of-competition testing regulation provides only for the same penalty—license revocation of one to three years—applied when a horse is positive for a Class 1 drug in post-race tests.

Bonnie said a 10-year suspension or license revocation would essentially be a life sentence for anyone found in violation of the regulations. He said the five- to 10-year penalty would provide the opportunity for a violator to serve the time and then reapply to the commission for re-licensing. He said that if the commission believed additional time was needed before the individual could resume their participation in racing they would reject the license request.

Alan Leavitt, a KHRC member who attended the Aug. 31 meeting, echoed support for a 10-year penalty. "This is the worst offense you can commit in horse racing," Leavitt said of blood-doping, noting that it has been more of a problem in Standardbred racing than Thoroughbred racing.

A vote on Conway’s motion to recommend the five- to 10-year penalty was 6-4, with the two rules committee members permitted to vote favoring the motion and the EDRC deadlocked at 4-4. (Rules committee member Burr Travis participated in the discussions via telephone but was not permitted to vote because he was not at a location where the teleconference was taking place).

Thayer protested the vote, noting that only the EDRC was empowered by the legislature to recommend drug policy to the commission. In essence, Thayer said, the rules committee votes should not be counted, meaning that the motion failed due to the 4-4 EDRC vote.

Bonnie, however, ruled that the joint vote would be binding.

That set off the lengthy, heated discussion over the manner in which the out-of-competition regulation process had taken place. Conway voiced his displeasure with Thayer’s questioning the joint workings of the rules committee and EDRC after so much work had taken place. Thayer said he had been unable to attend previous meetings due to scheduling conflicts with his legislative duties.

Dr. Jerry Yon, EDRC chair, said he brought the rules committee into the out-of-competition regulation process because so many of the KHRC rules would have to be amended to accommodate the rules.

In the end, the five- to 10-year penalty will be the recommendation considered by the KHRC.

The meeting ended without an official vote on the revised proposed out-of-competition regulation for the commission to consider, an omission that went unnoticed until a reporter pointed it out. At that point, there was no longer a quorum available for a final vote.

Posted: Tuesday, August 31, 2010 7:25 PM

Responding to a 47% drop in betting from each of the account wagering providers that do business in Illinois since regulators imposed a 5% cap on out-of-state wagering fees effective July 12, the Illinois Racing Board on Tuesday voted 7-1 to raise the cap to 9%.

The new cap will take effect Thursday, enabling the account wagering customers to bet on tracks—such as Del Mar Thoroughbred Club and Saratoga Race Course—that charge more than 5% for their signals.

“Whatever is necessary to turn these signals back on, that’s what we want to do,” said Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association President Mike Campbell.

Campbell previously had expressed “support for our fellow horsemen in states that have prime content signals …

“They believe their signals have significant value and are not willing to undermine that value by selling to a state that imposes a cap that is less than fair market value,” he said.

Arlington Park President Roy Arnold joined Campbell in urging the board to adopt the 9% cap.

“We want the ability to honor contracts freely entered into before July 12,” Arnold testified. “The problem right now is we have content we want to get and we cannot get it. The 9% cap will allow us to secure the premium content that our customers want. We have serious legal issues with interfering with pre-entered contracts.”

Also lending their support were those that had originally supported the 5% cap: Hawthorne Race Course, Fairmount Park, Balmoral Park, Maywood Park, and the Illinois Harness Horsemen’s Association.

“I understand the reasoning,” said Fairmount President Brian Zander. “I don’t see an issue with 9% but my personal preference would have been to have the envelope a little smaller—higher than 5% and less than 9%.”

“We have a comfort level this will work out,” said Balmoral President John Johnston.

The proponents of the cap had a shared concern that racing conglomerates such as Churchill Downs Inc. and MI Developments Inc. would bundle their tracks and sell the account wagering package at a higher rate. For example, if this were the case, Magna hypothetically could charge the same 9% fee for both Santa Anita Park and Portland Meadows.

“We have no problem paying a higher rate if the signal warrants,” said IHHA executive director Anthony Somone, citing Del Mar, “but not for a ‘B’ track.”

The new rule mandates that each track receive individual consideration and creates checks and balances.

“If there’s anti-trust activity going on the board can act on it,” said the board’s general counsel, Shelley Kalita.

The only board member who voted against the 9% cap was Paul Smith, who expressed fears that it would prompt many tracks with non-premium racing to hike their rates.

“We’re not compelling anyone to pay 9% for the signal,” countered board Chairman Joe Sinopoli. “This is not a requirement. If someone wants 8% and you don’t want to pay 8% you don’t have to. If a track is asked to pay above the market rates just say ‘No, we don’t want it.’”

Sinopoli said the Racing Board office was “inundated with calls from account wagering customers complaining” because they were unable to bet on Saratoga or Del Mar.

Bob Dwyer of Naperville, Illinois, a member of Horseplayers Association of North America, testified on behalf of the rule change.

“It was discouraging not to have those tracks available,” he said. “We’ve seen what happens when a regulation is put in that’s not consistent with the market. I have confidence in the business acumen of the people who run the (‘B’) tracks. It’s in their best interest to keep fees low.”

In other action at Tuesday’s meeting, the board approved Hawthorne’s request to reduce the racing week to four days, reduce graded stakes purses, and eliminate an ungraded $100,000 race during its October 1-December 31 meeting.

The Hawthorne Gold Cup (G2) purse was reduced from $500,000 to $250,000, the Hawthorne Derby (G3) from $250,000 to $150,000 and the Robert F. Carey Memorial Handicap (G3) from $150,000 to $100,000. The Indian Maid Handicap was the ungraded race that was removed from the stakes schedule.

Hawthorne Assistant General Manager Jim Miller said the $500,000 in reductions will bring the purse account to a break-even balance.

“Our intent is to begin the meeting with daily overnight purses no lower than $125,000, excluding stakes,” explained Miller. “We’re hoping for an increase the first of November and then another increase the first of December.”

Miller pointed out that impact fee money owed the tracks by riverboat casinos through Illinois House bills 1918 and 4758 is currently tied up in court. He said if the funds are released “we’ll make an immediate request to the board to raise purses.”

Campbell said the ITHA supports the reduction in stakes purses and the elimination of Sunday from the racing week.

“Hawthorne is owed $2-million in recapture [under the statute that legalized full-card simulcasting in Illinois] and $1.6-million in overpayment of purses,” the Campbell said. “We don’t believe Hawthorne should carry us.”

Date Posted: 8/24/2010 11:06:43 AM Last Updated: 8/25/2010 12:07:02 PM
Chris McCarron
Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt

The first North American school for jockeys established by Hall of Fame rider Chris McCarron is embarking on an expansion plan that could include a national and international presence.

However, McCarron, who has been director of the North American Racing Academy since it was established near Lexington in 2006, has opted not to direct and administer the expanded program but instead will continue to focus on instruction of future jockeys.

Dr. Jay Box, chancellor for the Kentucky Community and Technical College System under which NARA operates, said Aug. 23 administrators at the state agency and others involved with advising the jockey school determined it could be expanded. Box said the ultimate goal is to make NARA one of the KCTCS’ "centers of excellence, which are programs that can reach beyond the local college and state and look at national and international interests. Usually, centers of excellence are very broad in nature. We are committed to taking (NARA) to the next level."

McCarron, who rode more than 7,000 winners during his career, has been involved with NARA since its outset. He has been inextricably tied to both the ability to attract students and raise money for NARA. In addition to learning the finer points of riding, students are instructed in other areas of equine health, horsemanship, and business.

The school's first class graduated in 2008, and through racing of Aug. 22, NARA graduates have won more than 460 races, and their mounts have purse earnings in excess of $6.5 million, McCarron said.

In addition to exploring expansion of the current riding school to Louisville, Ky., where Churchill Downs is located, and the Northern Kentucky area that includes Turfway Park, NARA is pursuing venturing into other areas of the equine industry, Box said. He said the Clemens Group is serving as consultant to KCTCS to help coordinate the expanded program offerings, and that at the end of the study will begin a search for a full-time system director.

Box and McCarron both said the retired jockey initially agreed to serve as system director, but has since decided to have a role with NARA that focuses more on instruction than administration.

"I was flattered by, and accepted, their offer to elevate my position," McCarron said, "not knowing the full scope of what I was getting into, and that not being involved with teaching was going to take up the lion’s share of my time. I thought I would be able to do both. I accepted the position, only to think about it over the past few weeks and to consider to let me go back to teaching, which is what they have done."

"He will be the lead instructor for the Jockey Pathway Program, and we’re all excited about that," Box said. "That is where his passion is and his interests lie. In the past, he was director of NARA and had more responsibilities with day-to-day operations. In this position, he has staff status and will have primarily teaching responsibilities and also promote (NARA).

"This is just removing the other responsibilities that were outlined in the system director position."

According to a state of Kentucky database, McCarron’s annual salary is $103,000.