Slots Update August 12, 2010 By Kent H. Stirling, FHBPA Executive Director I recently was told that Calder had already made a $100 million on slots through July 31, 2010, and they were only paying out a small amount to purses. A good story but like most emanating from the backside, not...Read More
Backside Doings August 12, 2010 By Kent H. Stirling, FHBPA Executive Director The Calder Soccer League again has six teams made up of grooms, exercise riders, hot walkers and Calder employees. The teams play every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings on the training track field. As well as the Soccer League,...Read More
“Bute – 5 mcg/ml . . . to be or not to be” By Kent H. Stirling, FHBPA Executive Director August 11, 2010 Some 400 years later, I’m sure Shakespeare’s Prince Hamlet didn’t foresee his famous words being used in the topic of a panel discussion between those who advocate maintaining the...Read More
Gulfstream Park, the Lion of Winter Simulcasting Overcomes a Poor Start to win Handily By Kent H. Stirling, FHBPA Executive Director May 27, 2010 Yes, it’s that time of year again when I analyze the top five winter track’s out-of-state simulcasting numbers. These numbers are harder to get every year as more and...Read More
FINALLY! A Tax Break on Slots . . . May 27, 2010 By Kent H. Stirling, FHBPA Executive Director This year’s Florida Legislative session brought the long awaited tax break on slots to Florida’s beleaguered Pari-mutuel facilities in Broward and Miami-Dade counties. This reduction of the onerous 50% gross tax on slots...Read More
Medication Update By Kent H. Stirling, FHBPA Executive Director May 27, 2010 The week of April 12, 2010 was a very interesting week in Lexington and not just because the 800 lb gorilla, Keeneland, was in action once again. For me it was most interesting because the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium (RMTC)...Read More
Sammy Gordon Unanimous Choice as FHBPA President, Again! March 29, 2010 In its annual election, the FHBPA membership voted for 5 Board Members for its 15 person Board. The 2010 election found owners Phil Combest and William Wright again being re-elected to another three year term. Also elected to a three year term...Read More
The Prolixin Problem February 15, 2010 By Kent H. Stirling, FHBPA Executive Director Uniformity in medication rules still seems a long way off. The RMTC made some great strides and then began to bog down in some areas. Most notable was the promised development of thresholds for some forty plus commonly...Read More
The Calder Herpes Quarantine February 15, 2010 By Kent H. Stirling, FHBPA Executive Director On November 27th, a filly at Calder began showing signs of illness and was immediately shipped to the University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine where she was diagnosed with the Equine Herpes Virus, type 1 (EHV-1). ...Read More
Pure Thoughts and Horse Rescue By Kent H. Stirling, FHBPA Executive Director February 15, 2010 During the last year and a half, the FHBPA’s 501(c)(3), the Florida Horsemen’s Charitable Foundation, Inc, has donated well over $100,000 to horse rescue organizations. Calder Race Course has also contributed a substantial amount, and even with all...Read More
