NEWS & VIEWS continued


of the Preakness Stakes? For now, as of press time, the show will go on! Sunrise tours of Old Hilltop will kick off on Tuesday, May 14, and run each morning Tuesday through Friday. Te annual Alibi Breakfast will take place Tursday, May 16. Te Black Eyed Susan Day is on Fri- day, May 17, and the big day itself, Preakness Day, is Saturday, May 18.


Letters to the Editor


Foxtail and Maryland Hay After Te Equiery’s April article “Maryland’s


Hay Woes” hit the newsstands, Te Equiery re- ceived several calls, emails, letters and social me- dia messages concerning the shortage in general and the reporting of a higher than normal inci- dence of Foxtail in some area hay from last sea- son. After following up with various agricultural groups, farmers and veterinarians, we felt this letter from Joe Stauffer of Stauffer Feed Mill in Leonardtown sums up the issue well. “Dear Editor, After reading “Maryland Hay Woes” (News


& Views April 2019) I have the following comments: In my nearly 40 years of experience as a retail


hay dealer, the past season has been one of the most difficult ever for hay supplies. Te wetness in the east, the dryness in the west and a severe European drought all came together to crimp supplies.


Te column mentioned Foxtail, which is a


wild grass. I can tell you it has been native to this region in my experience, and its presence in small amounts in grass hay is not unusual. Te threat is not so much poison-related as it is a “mechanical” irritant, as the plant’s awns [bristles] can become embedded in gums and other tissue causing ulcers. Tis seems to cause issues only when the seed-head is quite mature. Tanks for listening to my opinion!” – Joe Stauffer, Stauffer Feed Mill


The Lasix Debate On April 18, the Stronach Group announced that Pimlico and Laurel have joined the coali- tion of racetracks across the country working to ban race-day use of Lasix. Tis new initiative is committed to phasing out the use of Furose- mide (Lasix) over the next three years. Starting January 1, 2020, two-year-old hors-


es will not be allowed to be treated with Lasix within 24 hours of a race. Starting in 2021, this same ban will apply to horses of any age running in stake races at coalition tracks. Tis includes all three tracks where Triple Crown races are held, since Churchill Downs Incorporated, the New York Racing Association, Inc., and Te Stronach Group have all joined the coalition. “Tis is a huge moment that signals a col-


12 | THE EQUIERY | MAY 2019


lective move to evolve this legacy sport,” said Belinda Stronach, chairman and president of Te Stronach Group. “Tis industry coalition has taken an important step forward toward a


uniform policy and we are committed to focus- ing our attention and resources on how to make further improvements that directly prioritize equine health and safety.” Te Toroughbred Horsemen’s Association,


Inc. (THA), issued their own rebuttal state- ment in which they said that since 2011, “the Mid-Atlantic region’s collective position, in- cluding ours, that in the absence of a more ef- fective treatment for EIPH, the current strictly regulated system for the administration of fu- rosemide on race day should be maintained, because it is the best interests of the health and welfare of the horse – our number one priority in racing.” EIPH stands for exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage. Te THA statement went on to say, “nothing


has changed scientifically since that time, except that the American College of Veterinary Inter- nal Medicine has strongly recommended that EIPH be considered a disease in horses.” THA believes that banning Lasix will have “no effect” on the breakdown rate of racehorses. “We be- lieve that the industry’s total focus and priority right now should be determining the causes of racehorse breakdowns and facilities, and imple- menting protocols to reduce or eliminate them.”


Assateague Island’s March Census Te National Park Service completed its


March 2019 population census of the wild hors- es on the Maryland side of Assateague Island. Te census showed that the population remains at 76 horses, with 21 stallions and 55 mares. Park officials stated that there have been no births or deaths since the February census was completed. Te next population census will be in May.


Time To Ride Launches New Program Geared to Schools & Youth Groups


Te American Horse Council’s Marketing


Alliance has announced a new pilot program within its Time to Ride program. Te pilot pro- gram is currently looking for riding facilities that will introduce school-age children to horseback riding and horse care in a safe, welcoming envi- ronment. AHC stated that the program’s goal is “to familiarize school-age children with horses through an initial series of lessons that include basic horse care as well as riding.” Barns and instructors meeting the program’s


standards will be designated Time To Ride Pro- gram Facilities and given marketing tools, tech- niques and assistance to help reach out to local schools and youth groups. Tese facilities will also receive gifts and discounts from Marketing Alliance member companies and organizations such as U.S. Pony Club and U.S. Equestrian. Te program will select 20-30 facilities around the country for the 2019 pilot program. For more information on how to apply, visit www.timetoride.org.


War Admiral and Sea Biscuit being led to the start for their famous match race.


Editor’s Note On a wet Friday in late April, I had the privi-


lege of getting permission to peruse the Mary- land Jockey Club’s archives. I was looking for good photos to illustrate this month’s article “Te Preakness – An American Classic” by for- mer co-owner of MJC, Karin De Francis, but what I found was so much more! Tucked away in a corner of historic Pimlico is a small room with tall, narrow cabinets. Each cabinet is numbered to match with a catalogue of its contents and when I turned its key, the numbered shelves transported me to years gone by. What started as a search for images related to the Preakness Stakes, turned into a history lesson of Maryland racing and sporting culture from the mid 1800s through the 1990s. From Pimlico’s first gaming license, to the


great match race between Sea Biscuit and War Admiral, to Triple Crown winners - photo- graphs, race programs, tickets and other arti- facts drew me in. Every shelf, a new story… Maryland’s story. I want to publicly express my thanks and


appreciation to Karin De Francis and Grace Helm for this incredible opportunity. Just be- ing in that room made this journalist, photog- rapher and Toroughbred fan feel lucky to be a part of the magic that is the Preakness Stakes and Pimlico. - Katherine Rizzo, Editor, Te Equiery


1924 Preakness Meet conditions book


1906 racing license for a 24 day Pimlico meet 800-244-9580 | www.equiery.com


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