The following appeared in The Paulick Report on April 7.

The past couple of months have been uncommonly successful demonstrations of the sire talent belonging to the Ashford Stud stallion Munnings (by Speightstown), and on April 4, the horse added another stakes victory with Kimari in the Purple Martin Stakes at Oaklawn Park.

The success for that 3-year-old filly comes on the heels of graded stakes winners Bonny South (Grade 2 Fair Grounds Oaks), Warrior’s Charge (G3 Razorback Handicap), Finite (G2 Rachel Alexandra), and Venetian Harbor (G2 Las Virgenes), plus numerous place-getters in stakes events around the globe.

Nor has sire Speightstown been quiet during this period. His most notable winners include Group 1 victress Mozu Superflare in Japan and Flagstaff, winner of the G2 San Carlos.

In fact, Speightstown and his flagship son have staked out ground as perhaps the most typical “young” line of Mr. Prospector on the scene.

Among the flourishing lines founded by the iconic bay son of Raise a Native and grandson of Native Dancer are:

– The large and very classic branch of Fappiano, best known through Kentucky Derby winner Unbridled and his sons Unbridled’s Song and Empire Maker, the grandsire of Triple Crown winner American Pharoah and Kentucky Derby winner Always Dreaming;

– The “other” Fappiano line of Quiet American through Kentucky Derby winner Real Quiet to his champion son Midnight Lute;

– The good-sized classic branch of Smart Strike, best known through Preakness winner Curlin, the sire of last year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Vino Rosso, and also prominent through champion Lookin at Lucky, sire of last year’s official Kentucky Derby winner Country House;

– The miler-classic group descending from Forty Niner, especially through the still active leading sire Distorted Humor;

– The international branch from Seeking the Gold through his grandson Dubawi;

– The line of big classic horses coming from Machiavellian through his son Street Cry and his Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense;

– The Kingmambo group that gravitates toward turf but also includes American champion Lemon Drop Kid;

– The Gone West branch that includes the towering Elusive Quality and his son Quality Road, as well as the midsized sprint champion Speightstown and his son Munnings.

That’s a very brief summary of the Prospector lines active today and ignores the sire’s champion sons who are more active among the inner lines of pedigree, such as Conquistador Cielo, Gulch, and Woodman.

Both Speightstown and Munnings are powerfully built, medium-sized horses with very good length through the body, and both possess the chestnut coat color that Gone West often passed on and that derived from his stakes-winning dam Secrettame and her sire, Triple Crown winner Secretariat. The latter proved less a force in the male line that had been hoped for, but he was a massive influence through his daughters, including the leading sires A.P. Indy, Storm Cat, Summer Squall, and Gone West among his maternal grandsons.

After Gone West won the 1987 Dwyer, which was a Grade 1 at the time, “apparently a lot of people were after the horse for a stallion because” owner James P. Mills “decided to make a commitment to stand the horse at stud,” recalled Reynolds Bell. “Gone West had brought $1.9 million when he went through the Keeneland July sale in 1985; so he looked the part and had the pedigree to go with it. Our good fortune was that Mill Ridge had a relationship with Mr. and Mrs. Mills, from having their mares at the farm.”

The Millses owned Hickory Tree Farm near Middleburg, Va., and had raced other notable horses, such as Kentucky Derby third Believe It (In Reality) and champion juvenile Devil’s Bag (Halo). Both of those stallions stood in Kentucky, and Hickory Tree had mares in Kentucky to breed to them and other important sires.

“When Gone West was available as a sire,” Bell continued, “Mill Ridge had just acquired Diesis as its first stallion, and in getting stallion prospects, if it doesn’t come down to money, it probably comes down to relationships. With Gone West, we competed for him in the marketplace, and we got lucky.

“Mr. Mills gave us a shot to stand the horse, and he recognized we were working hard to develop something that would complement what we were already doing at Mill Ridge. Mom [Alice Headley Bell Chandler] and I loved Mr. Prospector and his speed and influence in the breed. We thought that, if we could get a really good son of Mr. Prospector, that would be the sort to stand. Gone West had all that, plus a dam side that goes back to Aloe in the farther reaches of a pedigree that also includes Round Table, Known Fact, and other live horses at the time.”

In addition to the merits of the horse and his pedigree, there is also support of committed breeders with good mares. Bell said, “We had good clientele at the farm that could support him, as well as the interest that came from outside. Even so, he was competing against Forty Niner, Seeking the Gold, and Gulch, among the other big sons of Mr. Prospector at that time. It helped that we had a pretty strong contingent of European clients at the time,” including Khalid Abdullah, who bred the stallion’s first champion and classic winner in Zafonic, a winner of the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket and later an outstanding sire.

Once Gone West had proven a success at stud, his sales yearlings brought very good prices, and the star of them proved to be Speightstown, who sold for $2 million at the 1999 Keeneland July sale. For a long time, it appeared that was money well burnt, as Speightstown was a tired last of 13 at Saratoga in his only start at two. At three, the striking chestnut won a maiden on his seasonal debut at Gulfstream, and then the colt won three of his next five starts as trainer Phil England worked the talented sprinter through his conditions. Finally, at Saratoga on Aug. 3, 2001, Speightstown ran second in the G2 Amsterdam behind G1 winner City Zip.

That was a more than respectable effort, and (drum roll, please), he didn’t start again for 21 months.

When he reappeared, Speightstown was trained by Todd Pletcher, and the horse won his 5-year-old debut, was second in the listed Jaipur Stakes on May 26, 2003, and then did not start again for 10 months.

When Pletcher brought the talented racer back as a 6-year-old, however, the trainer had all the wheels turning the right direction, and Speightstown won five of his six starts.

More importantly, Speightstown won the G1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint (and the Eclipse Award as top sprinter), the G2 Vanderbilt, True North, and Churchill Downs handicaps, plus the listed Artax Handicap.

Now, that was a season’s racing to earn the horse a serious opportunity at stud.

As a sire, Speightstown puts a lot of speed in his stock, like his son Munnings, but surprisingly, there are other important qualities coming through for a successful racer and for a sire. Soundness would not have been expected as a trump card for Speightstown, especially after his troubled racing career, but he gets 76 percent starters to foals, well above the breed average of 60 percent, and he has 59 percent winners, towering over the breed average of slightly more than 40 percent, with more than 100 stakes winners to date.

Not surprisingly then, Speightstown stands for $70,000 at WinStar Farm, and Munnings is standing for $30,000 at Ashford.

Since the annual Virginia Breeders Awards ceremony and Virginia Gold Cup Races were pushed back to the weekend of June 19-20 at Great Meadow, we will announce a 2019 award winner each day over a 14 day period. We’ll also post it to the Virginia Thoroughbred Association’s facebook page.

Today’s (April 6) award winner is: Top Virginia-Bred/Sired 2-Year-Old Male – Embolden. The Nancy Terhune and Ernest Frohboese-bred colt had “top three” finishes in all six of his 2019 starts on the way to bankrolling $181,000 in purse monies. Two of those were wins at Colonial Downs — one on opening day and the other on closing day. He connected early in a maiden special weight race, then later in the $100,000 Jamestown Stakes. He also finished 2nd in the black-type Atlantic Beach Stakes at Aqueduct and 3rd in the Grade 3 Futurity Stakes at Belmont. Owned by the Dare To Dream Stable and trained by Michael Stidham, Embolden is by The Factor out of Silver Heart by Lion Hearted. He was a $95,000 purchase at the 2019 Ocala Breeders’ Sale for 2-year-olds in training.

Embolden wins the Jamestown Stakes for 2-year-olds over the Colonial turf. Photo by Coady Photography.

Previously announced winners are:

Top Virginia-Bred/Sired 2-Year-Old Filly – Bella Aurora. The Carpe Diem filly’s consistent 2019 campaign included top three finishes in all six of her starts. She reached the winner’s circle in three of those at Laurel — a maiden special weight in August, an allowance optional claimer in November and in December’s Gin Talking Stakes. Bred by Morgan’s Ford Farm, she also finished second in the Jamestown Stakes at Colonial and third in the Anne Arundel County Stakes at Laurel. Bella Aurora earned $141,140 last year. She is out of Street Interest by Street Cry, is trained by Mike Trombetta and is owned by Country Life Farm. The filly was an $87,000 purchase at the 2018 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Eastern Fall Yearling Sale.

Bella Aurora (#4) was best in the Gin Talking Stakes at Laurel. Photo by Jim McCue.

Top Virginia-Bred/Sired 3-Year-Old Male – Chess Chief. The Into Mischief colt bankrolled $274,970 last year helped in part by “top four” finishes in several Derbies around the country. After winning a maiden special weight at Fair Grounds last March, Chess Chief went on to a fifth place finish in a key Derby prep — the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland. From that point, the well traveled Dallas Stewart trainee finished second in the West Virginia Derby, third in the Oklahoma Derby and fourth in the Indiana Derby. All were Grade 3 stakes. He also ran in the Grade I Travers Stakes at Saratoga. Chess Chief was bred by Morgan’s Ford Farm and is out of the Mineshaft mare, Un Blessed. He is owned by the Estate of James J. Coleman, Jr. and was a $145,000 purchase at the 2017 Fasig-Tipton New York Yearling Sale.

Chess Chief wins a $46,000 allowance at Fair Grounds to kick off his 2020 campaign. Picture courtesy of Hodges Photography.

Top Virginia-Bred/Sired 3-Year-Old Filly – Out for a Spin. The Hard Spun mare pretty much secured this award when she captured the Grade I Ashland Stakes at 52-1 odds last April at Keeneland. The Dallas Stewart trainee beat six other sophomore fillies and won by a neck over Restless Rider with Paco Lopez in the irons. Out for a Spin was also victorious in an allowance race at Fair Grounds three weeks before the Ashland. After competing in the Kentucky Oaks, the Dallas Stewart trainee only ran two other times last year. She was runner-up in the Bob Fortus Memorial Stakes (black-type) at Fair Grounds and was third in an allowance optional claimer at Churchill. Bred by the William Backer Revocable Estate, Out for a Spin earned $364,610 in 2019. She is out of My Mammy by Came Home, and is co-owned by the Commonwealth Stable, Randy Bradshaw and Stonestreet Stables.

Out for a Spin captured the April 6th Ashland Stakes at Keeneland. Photo courtesy of Keeneland.

Top Virginia-Bred/Sired 3-Year-Old Turf Filly – Holly Hundy. The now four-year-old Yes It’s True filly reached the winners circle three times in 2019 including once at Colonial Downs in the Camptown Stakes September 7. Kent Desormeaux directed that 3 3/4 length victory in Holly Hundy’s only non-west coast race of ten last year. She also prevailed twice at Santa Anita — in a maiden special weight and in an allowance optional claimer. Bred by Lazy Lane Farms and owned by David & Holly Wilson, Holly Hundy bankrolled $154,473 in 2019. She is out of Cryptos’ Best by Cryptoclearance and was a $180,000 purchase at the Ocala two-year-old sale.

Holly Hundy was best in the Camptown Stakes September 7 on Colonial Downs’ closing night. photo by Coady Photography.

Visit the “News” section of vabred.org to read about the first 6 award winners.

The following appeared in Thoroughbred Daily News on March 31.

By Len Green

Editor’s note: The Thoroughbred racing industry is covered under legislation passed in Washington to bolster an economy that has been hard hit by the coronavirus. To clarify what is available to racing participants, the NTRA held a teleconference Wednesday which included tax experts who serve the racing industry. To break down what is available and who qualifies for assistance, the TDN asked Green Group Founder and Chairman Len Green to go over the CARES Act and its provisions.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) became law Mar. 27. The provisions most relevant to employers and small business owners, including those who are self-employed, covers items such as federal loans and tax credits.

Below is a brief overview of the key provisions.

Federal Loans, Grants, Loan Forgiveness, Credits and Deferrals

The CARES Act provides numerous forms of incentives and assistance for businesses to be funded by the Federal Government. These include loans, grants, loan forgiveness, tax deferments and tax credits. There are a variety of programs available. Here is a summary of some of them:

1. Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EID Loan) – $2 million Package

Small businesses (fewer than 500 employees), for profit and non-profit, can apply to the Small Business Administration (SBA) for a loan of up to $2 million to help alleviate the temporary loss of revenue caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19).

EID Loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that a business cannot pay due to the impact of the pandemic. The interest rate is 3.75% for small businesses and 2.75% for non-profits.

EID Loans have long term repayment periods of up to 30 years, but specific loan terms, including the amount awarded, is determined by the SBA on a case-by-case basis.

The SBA will require collateral, generally real estate, to support the loan, but will not deny a loan simply because the borrower owns no real estate. This could be a process taking several months.

To apply for the EID Loan you can follow this link https://covid19relief.sba.gov/#/.

Contact the SBA Disaster Assistance Customer Service center at 1-800-659-2955 (TTY: 1-800-877-8339) or disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

2. SBA Rapid Relief Grants

Recognizing that the time it can take to process an EID Loan application could leave small businesses in desperate circumstances or unable to survive, the CARES Act includes $10 billion for emergency SBA grants of up to $10,000 for small businesses or non-profits which have applied for an EID Loan. Recipients can use the grant funds to cover immediate payroll, mortgage, rent and other specified expenses. The grant does not have to be repaid, but only businesses which apply for an EID Loan are eligible. The Act states that the SBA shall pay grants within three (3) days following the SBA’s receipt of the grant application. But because so many companies are eligible, there could be a delay.

To apply for the EID Loan, you can follow this link at https://covid19relief.sba.gov/#/.

Contact the SBA Disaster Assistance Customer Service center at 1-800-659-2955 (TTY: 1-800-877-8339) or disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

3. Paycheck Protection Loans

This is the big one–the CARES Act also includes $350 billion to fund another loan program for small businesses with fewer than 500 employees, including non-profits, as well as sole proprietors, independent contractors and self-employed persons, during the period from Feb. 15, 2020 through June 30, 2020.

The program is based on a presumption that small businesses will suffer economic hardships due to COVID-19, so borrowers do not have to demonstrate their losses, as they do to secure an EID Loan.

Limit of Loan

The amount of Paycheck Protection Loans are 2.5 times the average monthly payroll costs incurred during the one-year period before the date of the loan, up to a maximum of $10 million. This is important–payroll costs include salary/wages/commissions to employees and independent contractors (up to annualized salary of $100,000 per employee), sick/family leave/PTO, severance payments, group health benefits (including insurance premiums), retirement benefits and state and local taxes assessed on employee compensation.

The loans will have a maximum term of 10 years and an interest rate not to exceed 4%.

Use of Funds

Borrowers may use loan proceeds for: payroll costs; continuation of group health care benefits during periods of paid sick, medical, or family leave, or insurance premiums; salaries or commissions or similar compensation; interest on mortgage obligations; rent; utilities and interest on other outstanding debt.

Applicants do not pay any processing fee and are not required to provide collateral or personal guarantees. To apply for assistance, follow this link https://covid19relief.sba.gov/#/.

If you have questions about this application or problems providing the required information, please contact SBA Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 or (TTY: 1-800-877-8339) disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

4. Paycheck Protection Loan Forgiveness

Unlike EID Loans, a portion of Paycheck Protection Loans can be forgiven, on a tax-free basis. The amount of the loan that is forgivable is the sum of the payroll costs, mortgage interest payment, rent and utilities incurred or paid by the borrower during the eight-week period beginning on the loan origination date.

Verification

An independent company (like a CPA) can submit schedules and documentation to assist the borrower with their request for forgiveness. The amount of forgiveness will be reduced, if the borrower laid off or furloughed any employees during the period between Feb. 15, 2020 and June 30, 2020 or reduced wages/salaries of any employees by more than 25% during the same period. In recognition of the fact that many employers instituted layoffs before the CARES Act was passed, if an employer rehires the laid off employee or raises salaries and wages back to their prior level by June 30, 2020, the reduction formula does not apply to those employees.

5. Employee Retention Tax Credits

Employers who do not request loan forgiveness of a portion of a Paycheck Protection Loan, may be eligible for a refundable tax credit equal to 50% of wages (including health benefits) paid to employees during the period Mar. 13, 2020 through Dec. 31, 2020, subject to certain conditions, and is provided for the first $10,000 in eligible wages and compensation paid by the employer to an employee. Thus, the credit is a maximum $5,000 per employee.

To be eligible, an employer either must have had operations fully or partially suspended because of a shut-down order from a governmental authority related to COVID-19, or had gross receipts decline by more than 50% in a calendar quarter when compared to the same quarter in 2019. Eligibility will end before Dec. 31 if the employer’s gross receipts for any calendar quarter are more than 80% of receipts the same quarter in 2019.

For employers with more than 100 employees only (based on 2019 employment levels), wages are limited to those paid to employees who were not providing services due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Public employers are not eligible for this program.
Eligible employers will report their total qualified wages and the related health insurance costs for each quarter on their quarterly employment tax returns, or Form 941 beginning with the second quarter. If the employer’s employment tax deposits are not sufficient to cover the credit, the employer may receive an advance payment from the IRS by submitting Form 7200, Advance Payment of Employer Credits Due to COVID-19.

Eligible employers can also request an advance of the Employee Retention Credit by submitting Form 7200. Employers should contact their payroll companies to make sure the process will be streamlined with their quarterly filings.

6. Payroll Tax Deferral

The CARES Act also allows employers, who did not request loan forgiveness of a portion of a Paycheck Protection Loan, to defer payment of their share of the 6.2% Social Security tax on wages paid from Mar. 27, 2020 through Dec. 31, 2020 (or the equivalent portion of self-employment taxes). The deferred taxes are payable in two installments, 50% on Dec. 31, 2021 and 50% on Dec. 31, 2022. Employers should contact their payroll companies to make sure the process will be streamlined with their quarterly filings.

Remember, the above is based on the law as it now is being interpreted and may be subject to changes.

For more information, please contact Diane Campagna at dcampagna@greenco.com (732) 510-1429, Jim Benkoil at jbenkoil@greenco.com (732) 510-1422 or John Wollenberg at jwollenberg@greenco.com (848) 212-4018.

Jeb Hannum is Executive Director of the Virginia Equine Alliance (VEA) which is made up of four member groups: The Virginia Thoroughbred Association (VTA), Virginia Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association, the Virginia Harness Horse Association (VHHA) and the Virginia Gold Cup Races.

Given the unknown in regards to the Coronavirus pandemic, any thoughts you can share with the equine community in Virginia?

Sadly, each day it seems to get a little bit worse for the racing industry and other equine events. The steeplechase community is trying very hard to have a series of races in the late spring but even now that is in jeopardy. In regards to flat racing at Colonial, the issue now is that the OTB’s are closed so the revenue that we were counting on for purses is not accumulating the way we had originally planned. The harness meet in Woodstock is scheduled to start in September so I hope we’re far enough out that it will not be affected.

A month ago, before the pandemic affected the Commonwealth, the legislative session was nearing completion and was at a crucial point for the racing industry? Can you give us any updates.

The good news is that the casino bill that passed the House and the Senate has protections for the horsemen and for Colonial Downs. The key provision is that it allows for an increase in the number of Historical Horse Racing (HHR) machines — specifically in Vinton and in Dumfries. This will help offset the decline in HHR revenue which is expected when the casinos come on line in a few years.

The horsemen and the coalition of gaming companies that help put the casino bill together are encouraging the Governor’s office to sign the bill ‘as is’. It is a complicated piece of legislation and it would be most beneficial for all parties to have it become law now. If necessary, any technical changes could be addressed in the next legislative session.

Is there anything members of the equine community can do to help in this regard?

The best thing is to contact the Governor’s office and ask him to sign HB 4/SB 36 as is.

With Colonial Downs still 3 1/2 months away from opening, Shenandoah Downs 5 1/2 months away and sanctioned steeplechase meets scheduled in late spring and in the fall, there is still hope to maintain much of Virginia’s racing schedule. Your thoughts as it gives people at this challenging time something to look forward to.

It looks like with all the cancellations this spring that it could be a very busy and exciting time for racing in the summer and the fall. Other events like the Upperville horse show I understand are also considering summer or fall dates. It is certainly an unprecedented and trying time. But horsemen are by nature very tough and used to some level of adversity. I am confident that we will come out of this and let’s hope that we can get racing very soon.

Below is a letter from Alex Waldrop, NTRA President and CEO. The NTRA’s site has many helpful links to alert horsemen of various issues related to the Coronavirus pandemic. Access is available at www.ntra.com/covid-19/ 

NTRA Update on Federal Response to Coronavirus Pandemic
March 26, 2020

Like virtually every other industry and sport, U.S. horseracing is grappling with the realities and uncertainties brought about by the coronavirus pandemic. Thousands of businesses and individuals – from farms to racetrack employees, trainers, and the backstretch workers who care for our horses – have had their lives disrupted in ways we could not have imagined only a short time ago. That being said, the industry’s first priority at this time must be the health and safety of our workforce and the general public at large.

In response to the pandemic, Congress and the Administration are in the process of passing a series of bipartisan bills aimed at combating the coronavirus, jump starting the economy and providing financial relief to individuals and businesses during these uncertain times. Here is a list of the recently enacted and pending legislation:

The Coronavirus Preparedness Response and Supplemental Appropriations Act, already passed by Congress and signed by the President, allows $1 billion in loan subsidies to be made available to help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and non-profit organizations which have been impacted by financial losses as a result of the coronavirus. Contact your local small business administration office for more details on how to access this new loan program.

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act, also passed by Congress and signed into law, provides paid leave, establishes free testing, protects public health workers and provides important benefits to children and families for those impacted by the coronavirus. Protections for the employers of affected workers also are included in the legislation in the form of tax credits to offset the costs of providing emergency sick leave.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act or CARES Act is a bill now before the U.S. Senate that is expected to provide an economic stimulus package valued at $2 trillion. The bill would provide direct payments to many Americans, including individuals and couples; $130 billion to hospitals that are seeing their resources stretched to the brink and beyond in their battle to combat the coronavirus, $500 billion for corporations; $367 billion for small businesses; $150 billion in aid for local and state governments; and billions of dollars in extended unemployment benefits for furloughed workers.

We expect this bill to be passed by both House and Senate and signed by the President by the end of this week. The NTRA continues to review this massive stimulus package and will provide details as they become available. It is likely that Congress will turn its attention in coming weeks or months to a fourth bill, especially if the crisis worsens. While the first three bills are aimed mostly at the general economy, the fourth bill may well focus on damage to specific economic sectors and efforts to help those sectors and their workers.

Undoubtedly, our industry has been adversely impacted with racetrack and casino closures, the postponement of equine sales, and other negative economic events necessitated by federal, state and local orders and recommendations as well as the industry’s own duty and responsibility to promote the safety of our workforce and public health in general.

Our challenge with regard to this fourth bill will be to compete with many other industries for limited federal resources, especially since our industry is built most visibly on sports betting and entertainment. Nonetheless, we are significant employers and represent a massive agribusiness with an extensive economic footprint across the nation. We will make our case at the Federal level for horseracing as we advocate for our $36.6 billion industry that accounts nationwide for nearly half a million jobs.

Stay safe and stay tuned for future updates, and please visit NTRA.com for information on how our industry is responding to the coronavirus pandemic.

– Alex Waldrop, NTRA President and CEO

At a time when everyone is seeking signs of a return to normalcy in the months ahead, Colonial Downs, in conjunction with the New Kent Fire Department and Virginia Department of Forestry, conducted a controlled burn of its Secretariat Turf Course Monday.

Monday’s controlled burn at Colonial Downs began in the far turn.

The burn began at 4 PM under sunny skies and breezy conditions. This annual burn helps prepare and nurture the country’s widest grass racing surface for a six-week summer thoroughbred season which is scheduled to begin July 23 and continue through August 29.

Brush trucks and New Kent Fire Department members doused flames.

The burn itself takes dead “cover” off the turf in a rapid manner and allows it to grow back more plush, green and safe within weeks if not days. The controlled burn strategy is used as opposed to trimming, because the fire drives nutrients back into the soil. This method yields benefits over cutting the grass.

Colonial Downs VP of Racing Jill Byrne stands in front of a blackened turf course.

“The dormant leaf that sits atop the Bermuda grass is dead and that’s what burns,” said Colonial Downs VP of Racing Jill Byrne. “If we were to cut and blow that leaf, it would take ten days and we’d lose nutrients.”

The New Kent Fire Department worked in conjunction with the Department of Forestry.

The burn took several hours and was overseen by Colonial Down’s Racing Operations Manager Jeff Wingrove. The New Kent Fire Department supplied brush trucks which were positioned both inside the turf course and outside the track’s perimeter to prevent flames from spreading. A crew of fire swatters was also on hand to ensure the fire stayed within its planned boundaries.

Racing Operations Manager Jeff Wingrove (left) with Track Superintendent Ken Brown.

Monday’s burn took place on Secretariat’s 50th birthday. The iconic Virginia-bred was born March 30, 1970 at The Meadow Farm in Doswell.

The 2019 controlled burn was held on April 16. A milder winter enabled the ’20 burn to take place earlier.

Colonial’s Secretariat Turf Course is 180 feet wide and at its outermost part, is 1 1/8 miles around. Ten different rail positions and lanes are available over the surface to maximize its use during the meet. It is divided into an inner turf course and an outer turf course. Last year, 130 of the 144 races contested were held on grass.

Monday’s burn started in the far turn and went in a clockwise direction.

Here are additional pics of Monday’s spectacular sight in New Kent.

With the annual Virginia Breeders Awards ceremony and Virginia Gold Cup Races pushed back to the weekend of June 19-20 at Great Meadow, we thought announcing a 2019 award winner each day over 14 consecutive days would be a nice way to bring good news to the Commonwealth’s equine community.

Visit this site often through April 7 — a different award winner will be revealed daily. We’ll also post it to the Virginia Thoroughbred Association’s facebook page, and a recap will appear in upcoming e-mail newsletters.

Today’s (March 30) award winner is — Top Virginia-Bred/Sired Older Dirt Male – Mr. Buff. The 6-year-old Virginia-Sired gelding won five black-type stakes in New York last year which helped cement his status as top contender in this category. The New York-bred is by Friend or Foe, who stands at Smallwood Farm in Crozet. Owned and bred by Chester and Mary Broman, Mr. Buff won the Jazil, Saginaw, Evan Shipman and Alex Robb Stakes along with the Empire Classic Handicap in 2019, all of which took place on the NYRA circuit. He also competed in a pair of Grade I’s — the Clark Stakes at Churchill and the Woodward at Saratoga — and bankrolled $455,750 for the year. The John Kimmel trainee is already 2-for-2 in 2020 and courtesy of a February 22 win in Aqueduct’s Haynesfield Stakes, saw his earnings soar into seven digit range, to $1,051,536. Mr. Buff is out of Speightful Affair by Speightstown.

Mr. Buff started off a successful 2019 campaign by winning the Jazil Stakes. Photo by Elsa Lorieul.

Top 2019 Virginia-Bred Older Turf Mare – Ferdinanda. The 5-year-old Giant’s Causeway mare bankrolled $141,460 last year from a pair of wins and three runner-up finishes in seven starts. Owned by Ann Backer and bred by her late husband’s (William) Revocable Estate, Ferdinanda won the Brookmeade Stakes at Colonial Downs by six lengths in September with Forest Boyce in the irons, and an allowance optional claimer at Gulfstream in April. Her second place finishes were at Saratoga, Belmont and Gulfstream. The Barclay Tagg trainee also competed in the Grade I Flower Bowl Invitational October 6 at Belmont where she was sixth. Overall, Ferdinanda has earned $282,700. She is out of the Came Home mare, My Mammy.

Ferdinanda captured the Brookmeade Stakes at Colonial Downs with jockey Forest Boyce up top. Photo courtesy of Coady Photography.

Top 2019 Virginia-Bred Over Fences – Dapper Dan. The 8-year-old gelding won $45,400 from eight starts in 2019 that included a win, a second and a trio of thirds. Bred by Mr. & Mrs. Bertram Firestone, the son of Pleasantly Perfect captured the fall Steeplethon at Great Meadow during the International Gold Cup card and was runner-up in the spring race’s edition. Dapper Dan collected his thirds at Aiken, Pine Mountain and at the Middleburg Fall Races. The Neil Morris trainee is owned by Donna Rogers and is out of the War Chant mare, Wardrobe.

Dapper Dan navigates the water portion of the $40,000 Steeplethon at Great Meadow Oct. 26. Photo by Richard Clay.

2019 Virginia Owned Horse – Bellafina. The Kentucky-bred filly is owned by Virginia businessman Kaleem Shah who previously won this category in 2015 with Dortmund. Bellafina bankrolled $858,725 last year with a stellar campaign that included a trio of big stakes wins at Santa Anita — the Grade 2 Santa Ynez and Las Virgenes, and the Grade I Santa Anita Oaks. The now 4-year-old Quality Road filly also finished second in a pair of other Grade I events — the La Brea Stakes and Breeders Cup Filly/Mare Sprint. Out of the Malibu Moon mare, Akron Moon, Bellafina has six graded stakes wins overall with earnings of $1,446,725. She was 43rd in earnings last year among all competing horses. Shah co-owns his award winner with Mrs. John Magnier, Michel Tabor and Derrick Smith.

Bellafina won three graded stakes at Santa Anita in 2019. Photo courtesy of Santa Anita.

2019 Virginia Certified Male – So Street. The Maryland-bred gelding made 7 starts in 2019 and earned $158,933 in purse monies. The now 3-year-old son of Street Magician captured an allowance race on the Colonial Downs opening day program in August and sandwiched that between a waiver claiming win at Pimlico in May and a victory in the Howard County Stakes in September at Laurel. The Jamie Ness trainee was bred by Larry Johnson and is owned by Bunnymeade Racing, LLC. So Street is out of the Mr. Greeley mare, So Vain.

So Street wins the Howard County Stakes at Laurel September 28. Photo courtesy of Jim McCue.

2019 Virginia Certified Filly – Dyna Passer. The Kentucky-bred filly, owned/bred by Woodslane Farm in The Plains, bankrolled $185,810 last year. As a 3-year-old, Dyna Passer won a maiden special weight at Belmont in May, was fifth in the Grade I Belmont Oaks Invitational Stakes in July and finished third in the Jockey Club Oaks Invitational Stakes (black type) in September. The daughter of Lemon Drop Kid also scored a runner up and a trio of third pace finishes. To start 2020, Dyna Passer won an allowance optional claimer at Gulfstream March 22nd.

Dyna Passer had a maiden special weight win at Belmont on May 23. Photo courtesy of Adam Coglianese.

Colonial Downs Group, which includes the Virginia racetrack that reopened last summer and Rosie’s Gaming Emporiums at three other in-state locations, announced Wednesday that it will transition its closed restaurants to provide 20,000 free “grab and go” meals for police officers, doctors, nurses, firefighters, grocery store employees and other workers on the “front lines” of the response to the coronavirus pandemic.

The company closed its facilities on Mar. 15. The meals will be provided starting Apr, 1, with day-before ordering requested. Groups of 10 or more are encouraged to sign up. Details are available here.

There are currently 4 Rosie’s locations in Virginia — in New Kent, Richmond, Hampton and Vinton.

The company also announced Wednesday that its employees will be paid in full for the month of April, and that any time spent away from work as a result of COVID-19 will not impact workers’ status.

“With our facilities closed we have the capacity to help them, in our own small way, by using our kitchens to provide free meals to Virginia’s community heroes,” said Aaron Gomes, the chief operating officer for Colonial Downs Group.

Colonial’s 18-date race meet is scheduled for July 23-Aug. 29.

The follow appeared in Thoroughbred Daily News (www.tdn.com) on March 25.

The challenges of the global COVID-19 pandemic have led to new protocols for Thoroughbred breeding to minimize risk of infection among farm staff and related personnel charged with transporting and handling horses.

The Jockey Club recommends that all North American, Central American, and Caribbean Thoroughbred stud farm operations at a minimum follow guidelines from the Kentucky Department of Ag Guidelines for COVID-19: Breeding Shed Activity issued by E.S. “Rusty” Ford from the Office of the State Veterinarian, Kentucky Department of Agriculture.

With vans and individuals visiting multiple facilities each day during the breeding season, it is important to adopt standard practices in how people and horses visiting sheds are managed. The essential elements enumerated in the guidelines are reproduced below with permission from the Kentucky Department of Agriculture:

Submission of documentation for mares booked to be bred would best be done electronically. We’ve seen numerous reports where handled paper can be contaminated.

Eliminate outside individuals (van drivers and mare attendants) from coming into the prep area and shed. To accomplish this, the van would arrive,the mare would be offloaded and handed off to a shed employee (using the shed’s shank) who would handle the mare through the process. The van driver and anyone accompanying the mare to the shed should remain outside in the parking area while maintaining social distance with other individuals.

After cover, the mare would be returned to the loading area and handed off to the attendant for loading onto the van. If there is need for amare’s attendant to witness the cover, this should be accomplished from outside–looking in, videotaped or virtually.

The shank would be cleaned before returning to the shed or reuse and attendant would wash hands [recommended addition by The Jockey Club:or preferably disinfected with acceptable products efficacious in preventing the spread of viral or bacterial agents and the use of disposable gloves by attendants are recommended where practicable].

Breeding equipment (leg straps, collars, boots etc.) would be cleaned before reuse [recommended addition by The Jockey Club: or preferably disinfected with acceptable products efficacious in preventing the spread of viral or bacterial agents and the use of disposable gloves by attendants are recommended where practicable].

Additionally, maintaining enhanced biosecurity in our daily activity is essential to all of these mitigations.
The Kentucky Horse Council also provided guidelines Wednesday.

The best advice at this time is to use common sense, practice social distancing, disinfect and wash your hands frequently. As the situation evolves and if and when additional information is available, it will be shared here. The best advice at this time is to use common sense, practice social distancing, disinfect and wash your hands frequently.

Tips for Equine Businesses During COVID-19

Your business is important, but your health and the health of your staff, family and clients is paramount during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Author: Kimberly S. Brown. Updated: Mar 19, 2020; Original:Mar 17, 2020

Time outside with your animals (and apart from people) is encouraged, but be aware that the virus can be found on many surfaces, including pet hair.

With the recommendations from the CDC, requirements put in place by some states, and the general fear in the United States, horse businesses are being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. We pulled together some tips and ideas that might help you manage this uncertain time.

The good news is that horse folks are familiar with biosecurity, so we should be leaders in our communities in stopping the spread of this virus. We know about quarantine, we understand limiting contact (social spacing), and we are very familiar with disease spread in animals. Now we just have to apply this to humans!

What We Know

The following clinical signs of illness can appear 2-14 days after exposure, according to the CDC. Keep in mind that not everyone will show clinical signs once exposed, but they can still carry virus to others. It is important to protect those with underlying physical problems from contracting the virus; thus the “social distancing” and good biosecurity.

The betacoronavirus that causes COVID-19 is SARS-CoV-2 (formerly 2019-nCoV).

The CDC notes that the most frequent clinical signs of disease are:
Fever
Cough
Shortness of breath
Through March 19, the CDC reported that in the U.S.:
Total cases: 10,442
Total deaths: 150
Jurisdictions reporting cases: 54 (50 states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and US Virgin Islands)

Keep in mind that tests currently are limited throughout the United States, so experts expect exposure and case numbers to rise considerably as testing is expanded. Just like what we discovered with the spread of West Nile virus in the United States equine population, it spreads quickly and the more you look, the more you find.

Riding Lessons/Boarders

Some people won’t want to give up riding lessons or coming to the barn. Use common sense if you continue to have lessons or boarders at your facility.

Older adults and people who have severe underlying chronic medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 illness. These individuals should be self-quarantining until the height of the contagious period has passed. That means you might have to convince them to stay away and you might have to do more for their horses if they can’t come to the barn.

The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. That means you might have to cancel lessons or schedule lessons for fewer people at one time so they can maintain about 6 feet of distance between individuals in the barn and in the arena. If riders or boarders are unable or unwilling to do this, you might have to excuse them from lessons until the pandemic has passed.

The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.
Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
The virus can live on objects (fomites), including hands, metal, plastic, cardboard, etc.

New research shows that the virus is detectablein aerosols for up to three hours
on copper for up to four hours
on cardboard for up to 24 hours, and
on plastic and stainless steel for up to two to three days.

That means most items in the barn (bits, brushes, buckets, door/stall handles, tack, etc.) can be home for the virus for a short time

How to Protect Yourself, Your Staff and Your Clients

According to the CDC, you should:
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. Twenty seconds is about how long it takes to sing Happy Birthday twice through. Make sure to scrub under your nails and between your fingers. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

Stay home if you are sick, except to get medical care. The CDC offers these tips of what to do if you are sick. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow. Throw used tissues in the trash. Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

If you are NOT sick:

You do not need to wear a facemask unless you are caring for someone who is sick (and they are not able to wear a facemask). Facemasks are in short supply and they should be saved for caregivers.
Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets and sinks.
If surfaces are dirty, clean them first: Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.

How to Clean

Again, the CDC offers some great tips on proper cleaning techniques.
To disinfect: Most common EPA-registered household disinfectants will work. Use disinfectants appropriate for the surface. Disinfectant options include: Diluting your household bleach. To make a bleach solution, mix:
5 tablespoons (1/3rd cup) bleach per gallon of water
OR
4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water

Follow manufacturer’s instructions for application and proper ventilation. Check to ensure the product is not past its expiration date. Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser. Unexpired household bleach will be effective against coronaviruses when properly diluted.

Alcohol solutions. Ensure solution has at least 70% alcohol.

Other common EPA-registered household disinfectants. Products with EPA-approved emerging viral pathogens pdf icon[7 pages]external icon claims are expected to be effective against COVID-19 based on data for harder to kill viruses. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for all cleaning and disinfection products (e.g., concentration, application method and contact time, etc.).

Employees, Family, Staff, Visitors

The CDC offers information to businesses about how to manage your activities and employees during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Actively encourage sick employees to stay home:

Employees who have symptoms of acute respiratory illness are recommended to stay home and not come to work until they are free of fever (100.4° F [38.0° C] or greater using an oral thermometer), signs of a fever, and any other symptoms for at least 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing or other symptom-altering medicines (e.g., cough suppressants). Employees should notify their supervisor and stay home if they are sick.

Ensure that your sick leave policies are flexible and consistent with public health guidance and that employees are aware of these policies.
Talk with companies that provide your business with contract or temporary employees about the importance of sick employees staying home and encourage them to develop non-punitive leave policies.

Do not require a healthcare provider’s note for employees who are sick with acute respiratory illness to validate their illness or to return to work, as healthcare provider offices and medical facilities are extremely busy and not able to provide such documentation in a timely way.
Employers should maintain flexible policies that permit employees to stay home to care for a sick family member. Employers should be aware that more employees might need to stay at home to care for sick children or other sick family members than is usual.

Separate sick employees:

CDC recommends that employees who appear to have acute respiratory illness symptoms (i.e., cough, shortness of breath) upon arrival to work or become sick during the day should be separated from other employees and be sent home immediately. Sick employees should cover their noses and mouths with a tissue when coughing or sneezing (or an elbow or shoulder if no tissue is available).

Emphasize staying home when sick, respiratory etiquette and hand hygiene by all employees:

Place posters that encourage staying home when sick, cough and sneeze etiquette, and hand hygiene at the entrance to your workplace and in other workplace areas where they are likely to be seen.

Provide tissues and no-touch disposal receptacles for use by employees. Instruct employees to clean their hands often with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60-95% alcohol, or wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Soap and water should be used preferentially if hands are visibly dirty.

Provide soap and water and alcohol-based hand rubs in the workplace. Ensure that adequate supplies are maintained. Place hand rubs in multiple locations or in conference rooms to encourage hand hygiene.

Perform routine environmental cleaning:

Routinely clean all frequently touched surfaces in the workplace, such as workstations, countertops, and doorknobs. Use the cleaning agents that are usually used in these areas and follow the directions on the label.

No additional disinfection beyond routine cleaning is recommended at this time.

Provide disposable wipes so that commonly used surfaces (for example, doorknobs, keyboards, remote controls, desks) can be wiped down by employees before each use.

Advise employees before traveling to take certain steps:

Check the CDC’s Traveler’s Health Notices for the latest guidance and recommendations for each country to which you will travel. Specific travel information for travelers going to and returning from China, and information for aircrew, can be found at on the CDC website.
Advise employees to check themselves for symptoms of acute respiratory illness before starting travel and notify their supervisor and stay home if they are sick.

Ensure employees who become sick while traveling or on temporary assignment understand that they should notify their supervisor and should promptly call a healthcare provider for advice if needed.

If outside the United States, sick employees should follow your company’s policy for obtaining medical care or contact a healthcare provider or overseas medical assistance company to assist them with finding an appropriate healthcare provider in that country. A U.S. consular officer can help locate healthcare services. However, U.S. embassies, consulates, and military facilities do not have the legal authority, capability, and resources to evacuate or give medicines, vaccines, or medical care to private U.S. citizens overseas.

Additional Measures in Response to Currently Occurring Sporadic Importations of the COVID-19:

Employees who are well but who have a sick family member at home with COVID-19 should notify their supervisor and refer to CDC guidance for how to conduct a risk assessment of their potential exposure.

If an employee is confirmed to have COVID-19, employers should inform fellow employees of their possible exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace but maintain confidentiality as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Employees exposed to a co-worker with confirmed COVID-19 should refer to CDC guidance for how to conduct a risk assessment of their potential exposure.

Pets and Animals

The AVMA has stated that infectious disease experts and multiple international and domestic human and animal health organizations agree there is no evidence at this point to indicate that pets become ill with COVID-19 or that they spread it to other animals, including people.

The AVMA went on to say:
If you are not ill with COVID-19, you can interact with your pet as you normally would, including walking, feeding, and playing. You should continue to practice good hygiene during those interactions (e.g., wash hands before and after interacting with your pet; ensure your pet is kept well-groomed; regularly clean your pet’s food and water bowls, bedding material, and toys).

Out of an abundance of caution, it is recommended that those ill with COVID-19 limit contact with animals until more information is known about the virus. Have another member of your household take care of walking, feeding, and playing with your pet. If you have a service animal or you must care for your pet, then wear a facemask; don’t share food, kiss, or hug them; and wash your hands before and after any contact with them.

Dr. Scott Weese of the University of Guelph has more information about dogs and COVID-19 on his blog.
To keep up with all CDC recommendations and alerts, visit their website.

TagsCOVID-19 Tips For Equine Businesses
By Kimberly S. Brown