KY Harness Horsemen's Association

CCs

3rd P

KHHA PIG ROAST ON SATURDAY NIGHT JULY 19TH AFTER THE RACES AT THUNDER RIDGE

FAIR RACING

Fair racing at Thunder Ridge will take place on Sunday July 20th. at 3:P.M.. Should you need a horse qualified on that day contact Bill Napier by 9:00 A.M. Saturday..

The point standings are available at the web site listed below.

KentuckyColtAssociation.com

THE KY. HORSE RACING COMMISSION

Governor Beshear reorganized the Ky. Racing Authority and gave it a new name. The Ky. Horse Racing Commission now has 16 members (only one Standardbred member, Alan Leavitt).

NEW RULE PROCESS BEGINS

KHHA representatives were present on Monday July 14th. when The new Ky. Racing Commission proposed raising the license fees on owners, trainers, drivers, blacksmiths, and officials. The increase is to help fund the Commission which is not currently charging race tracks an assessment fee. The proposed rate increase is $50.00 for thoroughbreds and $25.00 for standardbreds. Commissioner Alan Leavitt explained on KHHA's behalf that any increase in standardbred licensing in Ky. would make Ky. the highest license fee in North America. This would take place in a state where two of the three tracks race for an average of $1200 purses and the total racing season is only six months. Unfortunatley the thoroughbred interest on the commission prevailed and a $25.00 increase passed. Now begins the process of working the proposal thru LRC which will take about 6 months. It is ancitipated that the new fees will be in effect at the beginning of 2009.

Senator Damon Thayre who KHHA has supported in recent years, plans to introduce a bill in the legislature in January that will take tax revenue paid by the large race tracks (Keeneland and Churchill) and use that money to fund the commission. Commission officials have told KHHA that if that happens this proposal will be withdrawn.

RED MILE SUMMER MEET SET TO OPEN ON JULY 27TH.

Opening day is also the day for the Mercer County Fair. Depending on the number of overnight entries the two could be combined. Stall applicants are said to be about 1200. Bill Perilli says that it will take a couple of days to clean up after the quarter horse meet so horsemen can begin moving in on Monday, July 21st.. The first qualifier is set for Friday July 25th.

HALL OF FAME 2008

Dr. Luel Overstreet and the Goatley brothers (David and Chester) will be inducted into the KHHA Hall of Fame for the year 2008. Ceremonies will take place at the round barn on September 22nd. at 6:00 P.M.

OWNER'S BONUS AT THE RED MILE

The owner's bonus program will be in effect at the Red Mile. The bonus funds are paid directly to the owner of the horse. You must sign up for this program prior to the horse racing. All owners and trainers must be current members of KHHA. To be eligible you must be: a Ky. resident, an out of state owner who raced in Ky. in 2007 and had a Ky. trainer. Out of state owners with out of state trainers must have raced on a regular basis at two of the four venues in 2007( two of the race tracks or one of the race tracks and the fair circuit). Questions about eligiblity contact Bill Napier at 800 729-2026.