A large group gathered in the winner’s circle following the fourth race Dec. 31 at Laurel Park for a special presentation to honor trainer Dale Capuano, who is retiring as a trainer of record after a successful 41-year career.
Capuano, 60, a former member of the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association Board of Directors, has turned the day-to-day operation over to his nephew, Phillip Capuano, son of trainer Gary Capuano.
Language designed to bolster the Federal Trade Commission’s oversight of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority was included in a federal $1.7 trillion omnibus bill passed by the Senate and House of Representatives just before Christmas and signed Dec. 29 by President Joe Biden.
The short amendment states that it allows the FTC to “abrogate, add to, and modify the rules of (HISA) promulgated in accordance with this Act as the commission finds necessary or appropriate.”
Longtime Maryland veterinarian Dr. David Zipf, a regular at Maryland racetracks for more than 50 years, passed away in late November.
Zipf handled the primary veterinary duties for the Maryland Racing Commission for decades. He began in August 1965 at Marlboro Races, which was part of the state’s fair circuit. He was known for his personal commitment to the health, safety and welfare of equine athletes.
The Janaury 2023 edition of the Horsemen's Newsletter is now online and available for download. To view this edition click here
The Horsemen's Newsletter is published monthly by the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association and is mailed to licensed owners and trainers in the state of Maryland.
Given the delay in the launch of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority's Anti-Doping and Medication Control Program, the existing regulations governing the use of Lasix in Maryland remain in effect.
Currently, administration of Lasix is not permitted within 48 hours of a race for graded stakes and all 2-year-old races, including stakes. Race-day Lasix is permitted in all other races, including non-graded stakes. Please note that the Laurel Park stakes book and January condition book indicate Lasix isn't permitted within 48 hours in non-graded stakes, but that is not correct.
The Maryland Racing Commission Jan. 3 approved a plan by the MTHA’s Board of Directors to contribute $1 million for Plan Year 2022-23. The amount was first raised to $1 million for Plan Year 2021-22.
The MTHA administers the Backstretch Pension Fund. By statute, the MRC may direct a deduction from open purse money of 0.25% of all pari-mutuel pools to support the fund.
