Backstretch Scholarship Program awards $32,750 to 15 students

Photographs courtesy of Jim McCue

Fifteen recipients—a recordnumber for a single year—wereawarded a total of $32,750 in thisyear’s Backstretch Scholarship Pro-gram.

In 2004, 2005 and 2006, theprogram has distributed a total of$100,000 to backstretch and farmworkers enrolled in college.

“To be able to offer that kind ofsupport to such a deserving groupmakes us extremely proud,” saidDavid Richardson, president of theMaryland Racing Media Associa-tion (MRMA), which sponsors the schol-arship program. “We are delighted tohave the opportunity to work in closealliance with the MTHA, MarylandHorsemen’s Assistance Fund and MiltonP. Higgins III, along with other donors.Our combined efforts have created anextraordinary program that reflectsupon the strength and commitment ofMaryland’s entire racing industry.”

The MTHA, while contributing finan-cially to the program, is not involved inthe selection process, so as to avoid anypotential conflict of interest. A commit-tee of MRMA representatives deter-mines the awards. Checks were present-ed at MRMA’s annual crab feast on Octo-ber 27 at Laurel Park.

Laura “Lori” Watson is the topscholarship recipient for the fourth yearin a row. A summertime hotwalker forLisa Jimenez, Ms. Watson has receivedawards from the program in each of thelast six years, helping her to completeher work at the University of Maryland,from which she graduated magna cumlaude with a degree in animal science,and pursue her career goal at the Uni-versity of Florida’s College of VeterinaryMedicine, where she is in her final year.

Ms. Watson received $6,250 as thewinner of this year’s Eddie McMullenMemorial Scholarship, given to the high-est-rated candidate. She hasreceived an unprecedentedtotal of $31,750 from the pro-gram.

MRMA’s selection commit-tee concluded: “By everymeasure, [Ms. Watson] hasvalidated the largess. In sevenvet-school semesters, sheranks within the top 10 per-cent of her class with a 3.86grade-point average and in

May won election tothe Society of PhiZeta, an honor soci-ety for veterinarymedicine.” Ms. Wat-son plans to prac-tice veterinary medi-cine in Maryland.

The list of 2006scholarship winnersfollows. Number be-hind name indicateshow many years theindividual has been

a scholarship winner:$$44,,000000 SSCCHHOOLLAARRSSHHIIPPSS—Kathryn

“Katie” Greenfield (2), senior chem-istry major at Gettysburg College, em-

ployed at Frank Bonsal’sMantua Farm; Andrea La-timer (1), sophomoreequine sciences/agricultur-al business major at Col-orado State University, em-ployed at Bill Komlo’s Tan-terra Stables and Chance-land Farm, interned atMaryland Vet Group.

$$33,,000000 SSCCHHOOLLAARRSSHHIIPPSS—ChelseaLanda (1), University of Delawaresophomore, majors in animal sciencewith a concentration in pre-veterinarymedicine, has assisted her father, Dr.Craig Landa, in his equine practice andvolunteered at Manor Equine Hospital,also served as a technician at PrettyboyVeterinary Hospital; JaneMerryman (1), in her sec-ond year of veterinaryschool at the University ofPennsylvania, has workedat her parents Edwin andSarah Merryman’s Anchorand Hope Farm as well asfor her uncle, trainer DickieSmall.

$$22,,000000 SSCCHHOOLLAARRSSHHIIPPSS—MichelleBoniface (1), sophomore journalism ma-

jor at Washington and Lee Univer-sity, works at her family’s BonitaFarm; Lauren Gassaway (1), Uni-versity of Maryland senior, doublemajor in math and economics,groom/hotwalker for Ron Alfano;Stephanie Wolf (1), University ofMaryland, received largest awardever for an incoming college fresh-man, 2006 McDonogh School grad-uate, works for Sean Magee and forFasig-Tipton Midlantic.

$$11,,000000 SSCCHHOOLLAARRSSHHIIPPSS—Lorie Ben-nett (1), working toward an associate’sdegree in physical therapy at BaltimoreCity College, exercise rider for Gail Lat-timer, Flint Stites and Laurie McDowell;Heather Brown (2), Cecil CommunityCollege nursing student, exercise riderfor Ann Merryman and Holly Robinson;Hillary Keeton (3), pursuing a mas-ter’s degree in business administrationat Salisbury University with hopes of be-coming a certified public accountant,works at Winding Creek Farm; KawanaSwank (1), nursing student at the Com-munity College of Baltimore County,works for Ann Merryman; Kristy Wil-son (1), working toward a degree incriminal justice at Howard CommunityCollege, employed by HowardWolfendale and Marianna Poe; Mar-garet “Maggie” Wolfendale (2), takingcourses at Howard Community Collegetoward a degree in communications,employed by her father, HowardWolfendale.

$$550000 SSCCHHOOLLAARRSSHHIIPP—Barbara Abell(1), first-semester Delaware Valley Col-lege freshman, works at At Last Farm.

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Honor roll ofdonors

Additional support for the 2006Backstretch Scholarship Program camefrom the following donors:

Beatson Stables Inc., BuckinghamFarm, Christopher and Ellen Feifarek,Churchill Downs, Eric Wirth, Gordonand Joan Beard, Hickory Plains, Jay EmEss Stable, Johnson-Ritz Stable, KatharinePeterson, Larry Murray, Malcolm Barr,Maryland Horse Industry Foundation,Morgan and Janet Wayson, NationalSteeplechase Association, Rafeen Farm,Richard Small, Rosalee Davison,Sycamore Hall Farm, Tack Express, Tak-ing Risks Stables, Winding Creek Farm.

MTHA’s 20th Annual Christmas Party

and Awards CeremonyNovember 27, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

in the Carriage Room at Laurel

A limited number of tickets are available at the door.

MTHA awards will be presented to Outstanding Maryland Owner:

Robert L. Cole, Jr.Outstanding Maryland Trainer:

James W. Murphy

Outstanding Backstretch Employees:Bowie—Wilhelmina (Willy) Moehring, employed by W. Robert BailesLaurel—Tana D. Aubrey, employed by Michael J. TrombettaPimlico—Scotty Jones, employed by Jack Jones

The Maryland RacingCommission, led bychairman John P.

McDaniel, has created atask force known as KIM,an acronym for “Keep Itin Maryland.”

Chaired by Commis-sion member John B.

Franzone, the task force includes repre-sentatives from all facets of the industry.

Revitalization of Maryland racing isits mission.

“This won’t just be about slots,” saidMr. Franzone. “The objective is to iden-tify the most important problems withinthe industry and get something done

about them.” Upgrading the racing facil-ities is at the top of Mr. Franzone’s list ofpriorities.

The task force was announced at theOctober 23 Racing Commission meet-ing held at David and JoAnn Hayden’sSafely Home Farm in Upperco. JamesFielder, Secretary of the Maryland De-partment of Labor, Licensing and Regu-lation, introduced the program, notingthis is the first time the Commission,formed in the 1920s, has stepped be-yond its regulatory role to lead the in-dustry in such proactive manner.

The MTHA has two representatives onthe task force: Alan Foreman as a mem-ber, and Wayne Wright as an advisor.

The Horsemen’sNewsletter

November 2006 Volume 16 • Number 11

Commission launches task forceto “Keep It in Maryland”

JJoohhnn FFrraannzzoonnee

JIM

MCC

UE

Jockeys’insurance feerises to $375

for 2007Benefits still

outweigh cost

The fee that each Maryland ownerand trainer pays to provide jockeys’

workers’ compensation coverage hasbeen set at $375 for 2007. This is a $175increase from 2006.

The fee is set on an annual basis, anddetermined by the number and types ofclaims and by the number of licenseesamong whom the cost is distributed.

Several major claims during the pastyear, along with conditions within themarket, pushed up the cost for 2007.

While the increase is substantial, theadvantages of Maryland’s workers’ com-pensation program for jockeys still faroutweigh the fee.

Jockeys’ workers’ compensation hasbecome a major issue nationally—withmany other states under scrutiny for theway in which they address the welfare ofriders.

Maryland is one of the few racing ju-risdictions already providing this cover-age. Jockeys have been provided withblanket workers’ compensation insur-ance in Maryland for more than 20 years.

It is provided through a programknown as the Maryland Jockey InjuryCompensation Fund, which the Mary-land Racing Commission administerswith a policy obtained through the In-jured Workers’ Insurance Fund (IWIF).

For more information, contact theCommission’s executive director, MikeHopkins, at (410) 230-6330.

MTHA6314 Windsor Mill Road

Baltimore, Maryland 21207

November 2006

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 GlasserArnold A. Heft

Timothy L. KeefeLawrence E. Murray

John J. RobbValora A. TestermanKatharine M. Voss

Thoughts and comment

Does the election of a new gover-nor—Baltimore Mayor Martin

O’Malley—improve our chances forslots? A lot of people believe the answerto that question is yes.

The MTHA has always done its best towork with all state leaders, no matterwhat their stance on the issues or partyaffiliation happens to be. Our approachwith soon-to-be-governor O’Malley willbe the same.

Mr. O’Malley has been a supporter ofslots at race tracks even before begin-ning his term as mayor. He has remainedconsistent on the issue.

Mr. O’Malley has spoken publicly

about the needs of the horsemen, so weknow that he is sensitive to the condi-tion of the industry, and that he is wellaware of Maryland racing’s competitivedisadvantage in regard to surroundingstates.

We are optimistic that Mr. O’Malleywill be able to build the coalition in An-napolis that he spoke about during theelection campaign and garner the sup-port needed to pass slots legislation andallow the Maryland horse industry toonce again thrive.

The MTHA certainly will make everyeffort to help accomplish that goal./Richard J. Hoffberger, MTHA President

Laurel/Pimlico set to race184 days in 2007

Current purse schedule to stay in effect

MJC expects to lift banon New Jersey

shippers November 20If no additional horses in New Jersey

test positive for equine herpesvirus(EHV-1), the Maryland Jockey Club willlift its ban on New Jersey-based horsesshipping into Maryland tracks on No-vember 20, stated Racing SecretaryGeorganne Hale.

Meanwhile, stringent precautions arebeing taken to avoid an outbreak inMaryland, explained Hale. Measures in-clude disinfecting of the receiving barn,paddock and starting gate, and equip-ping pony people and the gate crewwith disposable gloves.

The Maryland Jockey Club (MJC) hasproposed a schedule that calls for

184 live racing days in 2007. Laurel is expected to run 153 days

and Pimlico, 31. Pimlico will continue through Satur-

day, June 9 (Belmont Stakes day), andracing will resume at Laurel on Friday,August 10, for a 10-day meeting.

The schedule was to be presented tothe Maryland Racing Commission at itsTuesday, November 14 meeting.

The MJC’s request is in line with theagreement reached in June 2006, be-tween the MTHA and the MJC/Magna.

That agreement requires Laurel/Pim-lico to race 184 days in 2006 and a mini-mum of 184 days in 2007, with at leasteight days to be run in August 2006 and10 days in August 2007.

Also under the terms of the agree-ment, the current overnight purseschedule will remain in effect through-out 2006 and 2007.

The Horsemen’sNewsletter

Published 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.com

The Horsemen’s Newsletter reports on issues and events of interest to

owners and trainers in Maryland. Your suggestions are welcome.

RACING

Laurel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Now through Dec. 31

FASIG-TIPTON MIDLANTIC AUCTIONS AT TIMONIUM(410) 392-5555December Mixed. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dec. 3, 4

OUT-OF-STATE AUCTIONSKeeneland January Horses of All AgesLexington, Ky. (800) 456-3412. . . . . Jan. 8-13

Ocala Breeders’ Sales CompanyWinter MixedOcala, Fla. (352) 237-2154. . . . . . . . Jan. 16-19

Ocala Breeders’ Sales CompanySelected Two-Year-Olds in Training(New location) Ocala, Fla. (352) 237-2154. . . . . . . . . . Feb. 13

Horsemen’s calendar

Check theMTHA Web site at

www.mdhorsemen.comfor notice of the next

Board Meeting

IN MEMORIAMLouis Capuano, who owned, trained

and bred horses in his native Maryland forthe past 25 years, died November 6 at theage of 56.

Mr. Capuano was the brother of MTHAdirector Phil Capuano, as well as the un-cle of MTHA director Dale Capuano andtrainer Gary Capuano.

At the time of his death he was themanager of Mill Cove Farm in St. Leonard.Among his best performers were currentwinner It’sallaboutyoulou, bred by Mr.Capuano and owned and trained by hisson Nick Capuano.

Horacio Aguirre, 71, an owner andtrainer in Maryland since 1968, died No-vember 7. He was the father of trainer An-thony Aguirre.

Ruth C. Funkhouser, a long-promi-nent owner/breeder who, along with herson Randy Funkhouser, owned O’SullivanFarms in Charles Town, W.Va., died No-vember 2 at the age of 90.

Wendy Lyons, 69, a longtime own-er/breeder, died November 7. Mrs.Lyons’s best runners included homebredstakes winner Flying Punch.

Thanksgiving on the backstretch

The MTHA, continuing its longstand-ing tradition, will provide complimentarydinners for all backstretch workers in thetrack kitchens on Thanksgiving Day.

Trainers, assistant trainers, stable fore-men, grooms, exercise persons and hot-walkers are invited.

Recreation reportFrom Dan Mangum,

MTHA Recreation Director

BasketballBasketball gets underway on January

7 at Meade High School in Laurel.There’s still time to sign up. See thesign-up sheets posted in the trackkitchens or call Dan at (410) 437-4405.

PokerThe mock Texas hold’em tourna-

ment has been rescheduled for Monday,

January 15 at Bowie. Look for sign-upsheets in the track kitchens or call Danat (410) 437-4405.

DonationsThe following generous people re-

cently donated clothing, reading materi-al and/or other items for distribution onthe backstretch: Charlsie Cantey, GeneGilhooly, Georganne Hale, Sylvia andArnold Heft, Klaus Panholzer, JerryTrone and Frank Wright.

The MTHA salutes the followinggrooms, who won awards for bestturned-out horses on this year’s Mary-land Million Day:

Race 1—Jorge Hernandez (BarrenCreek); Race 2—Miguel Salamone (Offthe Glass); Race 3—Eracilio Mendosa(Chrusciki); Race 4—Name unavailable(Man in Grey); Race 5—Bernie Sanchez

(Jane’s Luck); Race 6—HumbertoSalazar (Ironton); Race 7—Edward LeeSmith (Sassy Love); Race 8—JuanRamirez (Spectacular Malibu); Race 9—Alex Guerrero (Crown You); Race 10—Angel Gonzales (What a Warrior); Race11—David Brown (Diamond David);Race 12—Jorge Medina (Kip Smile).

Maryland Million groom’s award winners

Committee bulletinsBowie

Backstretch chairman Phil Capuanoreported:

• Construction finally is complete onRace Track Road, including the bridge.

• Response to maintenance prob-lems on the backstretch has been excel-lent, and many improvements are un-derway.

• Barns are being winterized with re-movable plastic panels.

• A new furnace has been orderedfor the track office building.

• Training hours have returned tonormal, i.e. 6 to 10:30 a.m., with a breakfrom 8 to 8:30 a.m.

LaurelBackstretch chairman Larry Murray

reported that a fence has been installedat the gap near the five-sixteenths pole.This had been a serious trouble spot forloose horses.

Barn fire at LaurelA fire in Barn 32 at Laurel that broke

out at approximately 9:30 a.m. on No-vember 12 sadly took the life of the 3-year-old gelding Connecticat, owned bySamuel Bayard and trained by Bud Delp.

The MTHA expresses deepest appre-ciation to the many backstretch workerswho responded quickly to the situation,rescuing horses and containing the fireas much as possible.

“While losing one horse is horrible,the situation could have been farworse,” said track superintendent GlenKozak.

This is the first time in over 30 yearsthat a fire on the backstretch at a Marylandtrack has caused the death of a horse.