Notice from MJCregarding stray and

wild animalsHorsemen placing food for stray or

wild animals (including but not limitedto cats, dogs, squirrels, raccoons andpigeons) are subject to the followingpenalties:

First offense: $100 fine and taken be-fore the stewards.

Second offense: Expulsion from thegrounds of all Maryland Jockey Clubtracks.

Any food for pets must be placed offthe ground and in a container.

Stray and wild animals are a seriousproblem that the MJC is attempting tocontrol. It is important that horsemenfully cooperate with these efforts.

New Racing Commission appointeesGovernor Martin O’Malley’s

two new appointees to theMaryland Racing Commissionare labor leader Ernest R. Grec-co and Standardbred horsemanThomas W. Winebrener.

They fill the places on theCommission previously heldby David Clogg and WilliamGerweck, whose terms ex-pired.

An avid racing fan, Mr.Grecco is president of theMetropolitan Baltimore Coun-cil AFL-CIO Unions, a post hehas held since 1987. He is ac-tive in numerous communityorganizations, and is wellknown in political circlesthroughout the state.

Mr. Winebrener and his

wife, Linda, operate a majorStandardbred breeding facili-ty, Fox Den Farm, in UnionBridge. A former president ofStandardbred Owners Associa-tion, Mr. Winebrener has alsobeen involved with Standard-bred auctions for many years.For the past 15 years, theWinebreners have operatedFox Den Farm Sales Agency.

The Winebreners’ daugh-ter, Jacqui Nigh, is a formermember of the Maryland Rac-ing Commission. Appointedby then Governor Robert L.Ehrlich, Jr., in 2006, Ms. Nighresigned early this year to ac-cept a job as director of corpo-rate business development forthe Maryland Jockey Club.

Retired RacehorseTraining

Symposium

Mary Thomas, former MHBA generalmanager, was devoted to the industry

Mary Warner Thomas, who worked tirelessly on behalf of theindustry during her 24 years with the Maryland Horse BreedersAssociation (MHBA), died on August 20 at the age of 76.

Mrs. Thomas retired from the MHBA in 1989, and for thepast two decades had made her home on Maryland’s EasternShore. In retirement, she devoted her considerable energies toChrist Church in St. Michaels, serving as longtime church sec-retary and later as a volunteer.

During her years with the MHBA, she had an instrumentalrole in the growth of the organization and its monthly maga-

zine, The Maryland Horse (now Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred). Mrs. Thomas was in-volved in every aspect of the MHBA, her key duties including the administration ofthe Maryland-bred Fund.

She was named to the post of general manager when Snowden Carter gave up theposition in 1985, and she remained in that capacity until her departure.

In 1989, the Maryland Racing Writers Association (now Maryland Racing MediaAssociation) honored Mrs. Thomas with its Humphrey S. Finney Award for lifetimecontributions to Maryland racing.

A Retired Racehorse Training Sympo-sium is set to take place on Sunday, Oc-tober 4 at the Maryland Therapeutic Rid-ing Center in Crownsville.

Nationally recognized trainer and rid-er Steuart Pittman will work with a care-fully selected lineup of retired race hors-es, demonstrating various techniques.His presentation will include prospectswho are still winding down their racingcareers, horses in their first months ofpost-race training, and successful sporthorses who began their lives racing.

There will be an intermission for net-working and socializing.

Tickets may be purchased online for$25 at www.dodonfarm.com; $5 fromeach ticket goes directly to MarylandTherapeutic Riding Inc.

For more information contact Mar-garet Rizzo, Mythic Landing Events LLC,(301) 502-8929 (cell); margaret@mythiclanding events.com.

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HoofprintsSupporting retirement efforts

The Jockey Club reminds ownersthat they can contribute to the post-rac-ing care of Thoroughbreds through avoluntary checkoff program when com-pleting the Application for Foal Registra-tion. For more information visitwww.jockeyclub.com.

NTRA studying aftercare issuesThe NTRA’s Safety and Integrity Al-

liance has formed a special subcommit-tee focusing on aftercare of retiredThoroughbreds.

For more information visit www.ntra.com.

Equibase on FacebookRaising awareness of racing and de-

veloping new fans is the concept be-hind Equibase’s new presence on thesocial networking site Facebook.

Equibase on Facebook features hand-icapping analysis, past performancesand other free information; lists of lead-ing horses, jockeys and trainers; mile-stone alerts for jockeys and trainers;weekly polls; and tutorials on handicap-ping products from TrackMaster.

Yearling sale cut fromthree days to two

The Fasig-Tipton Midlantic EasternFall Yearling sale, originally scheduledfor three days (October 5, 6 and 7), willbe conducted over a two-day span, Oc-tober 5 and 6.

It will be the first auction held in thenewly remodeled sales pavilion at Timo-nium.

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The Horsemen’sNewsletter

August 2009 Volume 19 • Number 6

Scholarship applications due Sept. 24September 24 is the deadline to apply for aid from the Maryland Thoroughbred

Scholarship Fund for 2009. Individuals employed on the backstretch at Maryland tracks or at farms, training

centers or veterinary clinics in Maryland, and enrolled this fall in college or gradu-ate school, will be considered for these scholarships. More than $20,000 is availablethis year through the fund, which is supported by various industry groups and indi-viduals, including the MTHA and Maryland Horsemen’s Assistance Fund.

The Maryland Racing Media Association sponsors the scholarship program andselects recipients, so as to avoid any potential conflict of interest.

Applications are available in the track kitchens at Bowie and Laurel and in the MTHAoffice at Laurel. They may also be downloaded from the MTHA Web site at www.mdhorsemen.com. For more information contact David Richardson at (410) 239-7022,drichardson@darkhollowfarm.com.

Backstretch Appreciation Day: Sept. 20 at Laurel

Horsemen retainright to appeal

stewards’judgment calls

Horsemen have retained their right toappeal stewards’ judgment calls in-

volving the running of a race. The Maryland Racing Commission

(MRC) agreed, by majority vote at its Au-gust 18 meeting, not to proceed with arules revision that would have eliminat-ed the appeals process for judgment calldisqualifications.

The Commission reversed its standafter MTHA representatives, includingdirector Dale Capuano, spoke at the Au-gust meeting, explaining the importanceof making it possible for a panel of Com-mission members to review the actionsof the stewards, whose judgments aremade quickly but have far-reaching con-sequences.

Gov. O’Malley pushes for action on Anne Arundel County slots

Proposed ruleeases restrictions

on toe grabsToe grabs up to four millimeters in

height will be permitted under aproposed rule change approved by ma-jority vote of the Maryland Racing Com-mission at its August 18 meeting.

TThhee cchhaannggee iiss eexxppeecctteedd ttoo ttaakkee eeffffeeccttiinn SSeepptteemmbbeerr..

Currently, toe grabs are restricted totwo millimeters in height.

Other sections of the current shoerule will continue: A horse may not bepermitted to start with shoes on thefront hooves that contain bends, jarcalks or any other traction device.

The MTHA will sponsor a BackstretchAppreciation Day cookout at Laurel

Park on Sunday, September 20, from 1p.m. to 4 p.m., in the White House Areaadjacent to the Racing Office/paddockarea. Admission is free for all back-stretch employees.

Pit beef and pulled pork, door prizesand d.j. music by Absolute Sound willhighlight the festivities. Soda and waterwill be served. The event will be cateredby Russell Clark.

For more information call DanMangum at (410) 802-5798.

Governor Martin O’Malley hasgone public with his dismay overthe Anne Arundel County Coun-

cil’s failure to address slots. The Council has repeatedly post-

poned voting on zoning changes for aproposed site at Arundel Mills Mall.

The Arundel Mills Mall plan is theonly viable application in Anne ArundelCounty.

Laurel Park, the site presumed forslots when the enabling legislationpassed in November 2007, is not cur-rently in the running because its slots li-cense application was not accompaniedby the required fee.

However, Laurel could resume its bidif the Arundel Mills site is turned down.

The Governor has made it clear allalong that he prefers slots at race tracks.But inaction is the worst possible sce-nario in his view.

“Anne Arundel County needs tomake a decision so we can move for-ward,” Gov. O’Malley told a gathering atthe Maryland Horse Forum on August 6in Upper Marlboro. “. . .That’s their job,that’s their responsibility.”

The state’s Video Lottery Facility Lo-cation Commission is expected toaward licenses within the next severalmonths.

MTHA6314 Windsor Mill Road

Baltimore, Maryland 21207

August 2009

MTHA Board of DirectorsRichard J. Hoffberger

PresidentRichard J. MeyerVice President

John V. AlecciHoward M. Bender

Dale CapuanoPhillip L. Capuano

William T. Fitzgibbons, Sr.Linda S. GaudetH. Neil Glasser

Christopher W. GroveArnold A. Heft

Timothy L. KeefeLawrence E. Murray

John J. RobbKatharine M. Voss

Thoughts and commentThe importance of the Anne Arundel

County slots site can’t be over-em-phasized (see lead article on page 1).

A casino complex at Arundel MillsMall would undoubtedly bring a much-needed boost to Thoroughbred pursesand the Maryland-bred Fund, which willproportionately share 5.6 percent of therevenue from all slots locations. Evenso, the long-term picture would not berosy.

A glitzy new gaming emporium locat-ed less than 10 miles from Laurel Parkwould introduce an element of competi-tion the likes of which Maryland racinghas yet to experience.

While the Maryland Jockey Clubcould still use matching funds from theslots revenue to make physical improve-ments at Laurel, there would be little in-centive to do so.

In a worst-case scenario, Laurel’s fu-ture existence as a race track would bethreatened. Maryland could potentialllybe left with one major Thoroughbredtrack—Pimlico—conducting an annualboutique meet centering around thePreakness.

Taking a far brighter view, if the slotslicense is awarded to Laurel, you can ex-pect to see a dramatic turnaround. Fans

See Thoughts, page 3

MRMA Crab Feast set Oct. 23 at Laurel

The Maryland Racing Media Association’s annual Crab Feastwill take place on Friday, October 23 in the Carriage Room atLaurel from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

As usual, the menu includes all-you-can-eat crabs, plus abuffet featuring chicken and side dishes, as well as beer, wineand soft drinks.

Maryland Thoroughbred Scholarship Fund recipients willreceive their checks at this event.

MRMA’s annual awards will go to Robert T. Manfuso,Humphrey S. Finney Award for lifetime contributions to Mary-land racing; and Vinnie Perrone, outstanding achievement.

Tickets are $60 each, or $550 for a table of 10. To ordertickets call David Richardson at (410) 239-7022 or e-maildrichardson@darkhollowfarm.com.

Maryland Million schedule of events

SSeepptteemmbbeerr 1177——Pre-Entry Deadline

SSeepptteemmbbeerr 2211——Maryland Million Golf Tournament, Manor Country Club, Rockville

SSeepptteemmbbeerr 2233——Entry Draw Brunch, Laurel ParkSSeepptteemmbbeerr 2255——Maryland Million Gala Reception,

Maryland Club, BaltimoreSSeepptteemmbbeerr 2266——Jim McKay Maryland Million Day,

Laurel ParkFor more information call (410) 252-2100

The Horsemen’sNewsletterPublished monthly by the

Maryland ThoroughbredHorsemen’s

Association, Inc.6314 Windsor Mill Road, Baltimore, Md. 21207;

(410) 265-6842; Fax: (410) 265-6841;

E-mail: mdhorsemen@erols.comWeb site: www.mdhorsemen.comThe Horsemen’s Newsletter

reports on issues and events of interestto owners and trainers in Maryland.

Your suggestions are welcome.

Horsemen’s calendar

Recreation report

RRAACCIINNGG

Timonium. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Aug. 28-Sept.7

Laurel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sept. 12-Dec. 19

FFAASSIIGG--TTIIPPTTOONN MMIIDDLLAANNTTIICC AAUUCCTTIIOONNSS

AATT TTIIMMOONNIIUUMMEastern Fall Yearlings. . . . . . . . . . Oct. 5, 6December Mixed. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dec. 6, 7(Entries close Sept. 21)

From Dan Mangum, MTHA Recreation Director.

For information on the MTHA’s year-round recreation program call

Mr. Mangum at (410) 802-5798.

GolfWinners of the August 10 golf outing

at Ft. Meade were:Low gross: 1. George Kazmerak; 2.

Robbie Bailes; 3. Alfonso Griffith.Low net: 1. Jack Adamecz; 2. Jack

Reinhardt; 3. John Poe.Closest to the pin: Robbie Bailes and

Jack Nims.

Orioles ticketsThe winners of the last two Orioles

drawings for the year were JuanRamirez and J.D. Brown.

DonationsThe following generous people re-

cently donated clothing, reading materi-al and/or other items for distribution onthe backstretch: Barbara Bryant, GeneGilhooly, Sylvia and Arnold Heft, LaurelFacilities, Scott and Rosemary Lishia, Sal-ly and Lisa Richardson, and Mrs. GeraldJ. Stautberg.

Thoughts, from page 4

seeking a new form of entertainmentwill revitalize the race track. And Mary-land’s proud tradition of Thoroughbredracing will have an opportunity to growand prosper.

Laurel’s failed slots license applica-tion last February caught everyone bysurprise. It had been believed that Mary-land’s largest track, well-situated be-tween Washington and Baltimore,would be a major center for slots.

Now it’s difficult to predict what willhappen. As long as the awarding of theAnne Arundel County slots license re-mains in question, however, hope re-mains that Laurel will ultimately be-come the site.

/Arnold A. Heft, MTHA Director, Legislative Committee Chairman

IN MEMORIAMMMaarryy LLoouuiissee BBoonniiffaaccee,, matriarch of

one of Maryland racing’s most prominentfamilies, died on August 9 at the age of 91.Mrs. Boniface’s husband, longtime Balti-more Sun racing writer Bill Boniface, diedin 2005. Their son, J. William Boniface,operates Bonita Farm in Darlington withhis wife, Joan, and their children andgrandchildren.

RRoobbeerrtt LL.. ((BBoobbbbyy)) LLeeaaff SSrr..,, 77, a long-time owner/trainer and farrier, died onJuly 24. He was 77.

JJeessssee WWiilllliiss ((JJ..WW..)) HHaammmmoocckk,, a formerjockey who worked for many years atMaryland tracks as a cameraman andclocker, died on June 24. He was 68.

RRaallpphh RR.. CChhrriisstteennssoonn,, JJrr..,, 79, a formertrainer who also worked as an outrider atMaryland tracks, died on July 26 at theage of 75.

Committee bulletinsHealth and welfare

Chairman Rich Meyer reports that ahigh percentage of backstretch employ-ees who participated in the recentHealth Fairs were found to have sun-damaged skin.

Sunscreen is recommended, as wellas hats and other coverings, for anyoneworking outdoors. Sun damage can leadto serious medical conditions, including

life-threatening forms of skin cancer.

BowieBackstretch chairman Phil Capuano

reports:• Maintenance was expected to be-

gin fixing potholes in the stable area onAugust 24.

• Manure containers have been emp-tied on a regular basis.

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“Jockey Bounce”benefits

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OOUUTT--OOFF--SSTTAATTEE AAUUCCTTIIOONNSSKeeneland September Yearlings, Lexington, Ky. (800) 456-3412. . . Sept. 14-28Ocala Breeders’ Sales CompanyFall Mixed,Ocala, Fla. (352) 237-2154. . . . . . . Oct. 12-16New York Breeders’ Sales CompanySaratoga Fall Mixed, Saratoga Springs,N.Y. (518) 587-1555. . . . . . . . . . . . Oct. 18, 19Fasig-Tipton Kentucky FallYearlings,Lexington, Ky. (859) 255-1555. . . . Oct. 26-28Keeneland November Breeding Stock, Lexington, Ky. (800) 456-3412. . . . Nov. 8-21Fasig-Tipton Kentucky SelectedFall Mixed,Lexington, Ky. (859) 255-1555 . . . . . . . Nov. 9