Thursday Briefs

It's great that the Association of Racing Commissions International (ARCI) is having town hall meetings (they seem to be the rage these days) for industry stakeholders to discuss the policing of racing as well as how to advance uniform regulatory rules but I can't help but notice all these town hall meetings have been held and continue to be held at thoroughbred tracks.  Wouldn't it make sense to have one of these sessions to be held at a standardbred track where harness racing interests are more likely to be present so they may be heard?  Just wondering.  UPDATE: Just learned this afternoon that two sessions are being scheduled at harness tracks shortly and another one will be at a location which should draw attendance from representatives from both breeds.  Also, just to clarify all town hall meetings are open to representatives regardless of where a session is scheduled.


Off his impressive seasonal debut on Monday at Dover Downs, Wiggle It Jiggleit makes his first start on the half mile oval Saturday evening and gets promptly saddled with the seven-hole.  He may very well win Saturday night but with a morning line of 2-1, it may be worth taking a stab in an effort to find someone to beat him if he goes off less than 2-1.


Also, in what may be a boon for breeders. at least north of the border, Standardbred Canada has gotten its foot in the door with China and its fledgling horse racing industry.  It may be hard to believe but there is a small standardbred presence in China with some racing, albeit under saddle.  With the opportunity to upgrade China's breeding program, the potential to open up the Chinese market to North America hopefully will benefit the industry on these shores.  There was a period where standardbreds raced in Macau, so the possibility of harness racing returning to China is a distinct possibility which would be great for the industry world-wide.


A rescue recently managed to save a standardbred from New Holland but at present; the horse is unidentifiable as the horse had his freeze-brand burned off a long time ago.  Clearly, someone decided to unload the horse and feared being tied to the horse.  A good first rule for horse owners is if you feel the need to get rid of the freeze-brand, there is a good chance you are about to do something you shouldn't do.  One only hopes animal welfare laws would now make such actions illegal.  If not, it should be.