- Arabian Horse Heart Defects
- Dave Palone, Hal Jones Honored
- Foal Milk Replacer Guidelines Issued
- Starting Gate for Standardbreds
- Baze: Jockeys Share Family Name
- China's Corn Harvest Behind Predictions
Out of 18 foals referred to the University of California-Davis equine clinic because of heart defects, almost 40% were Arabians, a number seen as an overrepresentation for that breed. Signs of a cardiac defect in a newborn or young foal include blue gums or membranes, rapid breathing, loud heart murmurs, and an elevated heart rate.
Dave Palone, Hal Jones Honored
The U.S. Trotting Association Hall of Fame has inducted two new members. Dave Palone, one of the youngest inductees in USTA history, was the leading driver at The Meadows for over 20 years while driving to 13,681 wins. Hal Jones, founder of Cameo Hills Farms, is a leading breeder and innovator.
Foal Milk Replacer Guidelines Issued
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued a brief article on animal milk replacers and how to use them. The American Feed Industry Association has stated that it feels there are some inaccuracies in the FDA's article. View the article by the FDA.
Starting Gate for Standardbreds
The mobile gate used to bring Standardbred horses to the starting line was designed by Stephen Phillips, an official harness race starter. A prototype was developed in 1936 and the first use in a race was in 1946. The device, which solved a problem with repeated recalls and restarts, led to a surge in spectator popularity for harness racing.
Baze: Jockeys Share Family Name
Joe Baze, a former jockey who earned race meet titles at Bay Meadows Race Course, Golden Gate Fields, and Longacres, has been elected to the Washington Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame. Baze's son Russell, North America's all-time leading jockey by wins, and nephew Gary Baze, Washington's all-time leading rider by victories, are previous inductees. Baze is also the grandfather of jockeys Michael and Tyler Baze.
China's Corn Harvest Behind Predictions
Dry weather in July was expected to decrease China's corn crop yield for the second year in a row. Without significant precipitation, the harvest could fall far short of predictions, making China a net corn importer as it was in 2009. Limited harvests help to keep global corn prices high in a year when the U.S. inventory of corn is expected to drop to its lowest level since the 2006-2007 period.
