Sixteen-Year Old Jockey Wins First Race on First Mount

Today I'm going to feature some good news. Shocking, I know, but this is supposed to be the highs and lows of the horse industry. And most of what I find is low.

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/55729/apprentice-jockey-16-wins-with-first-mount

Tyler Kaplan, a 16-year-old apprentice jockey, won with the very first mount of his career March 4 at Santa Anita, guiding 5-year-old mare Soldier Betty home in a claiming race.

Kaplan came from off the pace with his mount, getting her up by a half-length as the second choice in a field of nine. Vladimir Cerin trains Soldier Betty for owners Blau, Pellman and Weiss.

“One of my goals was to win a race at Santa Anita and I’ve accomplished that,” said Kaplan. “When we hit the wire, it was amazing.”

Cerin's advice to the youngster before the race: “I told him if he gets beat, don’t come back," he joked.

A native of Norco, Calif., Kaplan attended former jockey Frank Garza’s jockey school in Tehachapi and is currently interning at Chris McCarron’s North American Riding Academy in Lexington.

“Jerry Truman taught me how to gallop horses at Frank’s school when I was 13 years old,” said Kaplan. “I’ve been working horses here at Santa Anita since Dec. 18. I can’t describe the way I feel. There’s no other feeling like this. I used to come to the races when I was real young and I’d try to imagine how it would feel—standing up after the wire and winning.”

Kaplan, who took online classes and graduated high school at age 14, has his sights set high. “My three goals were to win a race at Santa Anita, become a successful jockey, and win the Kentucky Derby,” he said.

Wild, huh? It make me feel so...lazy. :D Best of luck to Kaplan as he chases his dreams!

Another Sentenced Case

http://www.wrcbtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=12081347 [No pictures on this one]

HAMILTON, Mont. (AP) - Two men from Woodstock, Ga., who were convicted of abusing their horses during an extended pack trip in western Montana have been sentenced to six months in jail.

A District Court jury last week convicted 72-year-old Craig Heydon and his 38-year-old son, Curtis Heydon. The elder Heydon was found guilty of 9 counts of animal cruelty to three different horses. His son was convicted of 10 counts - the additional charge coming for abandoning a dying horse tied up without water on a trail.

The Heydons used the horses on a two-month pack trip into the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness in the summer of 2008. The case came to light when they left 1 of the emaciated horses lying collapsed along a trail.

The men were ordered Wednesday to pay $11,544 in restitution for care of the horses. They also must pay almost $10,000 each for the cost of confinement and close to $3,000 each for the cost of the trial.

I have a better idea. Let's drive them out into the mountains and tie THEM to trees without food or water.

Paragallo is Sentenced

Justice! It's a good day for me. Not so good for Paragallo and his lawyer.

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/55796/paragallo-convicted-of-33-misdemeanors?utm_source=BreakingNews&utm_medium=email

Ernie Paragallo, a prominent New York Thoroughbred breeder and trainer has been convicted of mistreating dozens of malnourished horses. Paragallo was convicted March 10 of 33 of 34 misdemeanor animal cruelty counts in a non-jury trial.

The 52-year-old Long Island resident was charged after authorities raided his 500-acre farm in Coxsackie in April and seized 177 malnourished horses.

Paragallo could face up to two years in jail and $35,000 in fines. His lawyer says he'll appeal the convictions announced by a judge March 10. The owner/breeder testified the week of March 1 that he didn't know the horses weren't being fed enough.

“Race horses--whether they are in training, retired from racing, or in active competition at our tracks--must be properly cared for in accordance with the laws of the State of New York,” said John Sabini, chairman of the New York Racing and Wagering Board and the state’s Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund, in a statement. “The verdict issued today by Greene County Judge George Pulver Jr. sends a message that serious consequences await those who fail to provide proper care and sustenance to horses.

“All of us involved in the regulation of pari-mutuel wagering have a duty to ensure that the horrendous conditions found at Center Brook Farm in April 2009 never again manifest themselves in the barns and pastures of New York State.

“This is why the Racing and Wagering Board acted swiftly last year in revoking Ernest Paragallo’s right to participate in New York racing. It is also why I urged my colleagues on the New York State Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund to craft a new inspection program and institute other reforms designed to further safeguard horses from neglect and abuse.”

Paragallo had no comment as he left court.

Michael Howard, Paragallo's lawyer, called the verdict disappointing and surprising and said he would appeal the convictions.

"This requires a horse owner to take on a very high level of burden,'' he said.

Ron Perez, director of the Hudson Greene Humane Society, said he was pleased with the verdict.

"This is going to set a precedent for animal cruelty cases across the country," said Perez, who took part in the raid that uncovered underfed and parasite-infested horses on Paragallo's 500-acre Center Brook Farm, about 20 miles south of Albany.

Paragallo has started more than 4,500 horses and earned more than $20 million in purses. After his arrest, the state Racing and Wagering Board suspended him from racing at New York tracks.

"This case was a shocker to the racing community," board spokesman Joe Mahoney said March 10. "People involved in racing love their horses. It's a rare exception that a farm owner would fall down on his responsibilities like this."

It's not over yet and I'll keep watching, but for now, we're finally getting closer to having justice in this world. Of COURSE his lawyer's disappointed. He LOST. If his paycheck requires him to win, that's even more disappointing for him, now isn't it? Now if only we could have some justice for Whisk and Suzi, I'd be a lot happier.

And you know, I may vouch that a lot of people aren't in racing just for the money, but I know that for every one that isn't in it for the money, there's another that IS.

Paragallo is Sentenced

Justice! It's a good day for me. Not so good for Paragallo and his lawyer.

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/55796/paragallo-convicted-of-33-misdemeanors?utm_source=BreakingNews&utm_medium=email

Ernie Paragallo, a prominent New York Thoroughbred breeder and trainer has been convicted of mistreating dozens of malnourished horses. Paragallo was convicted March 10 of 33 of 34 misdemeanor animal cruelty counts in a non-jury trial.

The 52-year-old Long Island resident was charged after authorities raided his 500-acre farm in Coxsackie in April and seized 177 malnourished horses.

Paragallo could face up to two years in jail and $35,000 in fines. His lawyer says he'll appeal the convictions announced by a judge March 10. The owner/breeder testified the week of March 1 that he didn't know the horses weren't being fed enough.

“Race horses--whether they are in training, retired from racing, or in active competition at our tracks--must be properly cared for in accordance with the laws of the State of New York,” said John Sabini, chairman of the New York Racing and Wagering Board and the state’s Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund, in a statement. “The verdict issued today by Greene County Judge George Pulver Jr. sends a message that serious consequences await those who fail to provide proper care and sustenance to horses.

“All of us involved in the regulation of pari-mutuel wagering have a duty to ensure that the horrendous conditions found at Center Brook Farm in April 2009 never again manifest themselves in the barns and pastures of New York State.

“This is why the Racing and Wagering Board acted swiftly last year in revoking Ernest Paragallo’s right to participate in New York racing. It is also why I urged my colleagues on the New York State Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund to craft a new inspection program and institute other reforms designed to further safeguard horses from neglect and abuse.”

Paragallo had no comment as he left court.

Michael Howard, Paragallo's lawyer, called the verdict disappointing and surprising and said he would appeal the convictions.

"This requires a horse owner to take on a very high level of burden,'' he said.

Ron Perez, director of the Hudson Greene Humane Society, said he was pleased with the verdict.

"This is going to set a precedent for animal cruelty cases across the country," said Perez, who took part in the raid that uncovered underfed and parasite-infested horses on Paragallo's 500-acre Center Brook Farm, about 20 miles south of Albany.

Paragallo has started more than 4,500 horses and earned more than $20 million in purses. After his arrest, the state Racing and Wagering Board suspended him from racing at New York tracks.

"This case was a shocker to the racing community," board spokesman Joe Mahoney said March 10. "People involved in racing love their horses. It's a rare exception that a farm owner would fall down on his responsibilities like this."

It's not over yet and I'll keep watching, but for now, we're finally getting closer to having justice in this world. Of COURSE his lawyer's disappointed. He LOST. If his paycheck requires him to win, that's even more disappointing for him, now isn't it? Now if only we could have some justice for Whisk and Suzi, I'd be a lot happier.

And you know, I may vouch that a lot of people aren't in racing just for the money, but I know that for every one that isn't in it for the money, there's another that IS.

One Case is Sentenced

http://www.examiner.com/x-15114-Cincinnati-Pet-News-Examiner~y2010m3d3-Clermont-County-man-pleads-guilty-in-horse-abuse-case [NOTE: there is a slideshow of pictures of the horses]

A local horse trainer will spend six months in jail, and is forbidden to have any contact with animals ever again, as part of a plea deal in a horse abuse case.

29 year old Chad Moore pled guilty on Tuesday, March 2, 2010 to six counts of abandonment. Prosecutors then dropped six counts of animal cruelty against Moore. Besides the jail time and the order to stay away from animals, Moore will have to pay $2000 in fines and restitution.

Moore, a former horse trainer, was arrested in January after a raid on a farm in Tate Township. Animal control officers found ten horses dead and six more animals alive, but starving. Moore spent several days on the run before he was arrested.

The surviving animals were taken to a nearby farm in Bethel. Two have since died. The rest, it appears, are on the road to recovery.

That's IT?? Six months in jail, no contact with animals ever again (as if they can really enforce that), and $2,000 in fees for starving sixteen horses, ten to death?! I will never be able to understand how you can look out a window, see horses dead that you have starved to death, and then go eat dinner and go to bed. NEVER.

On Wednesday We Will Know...

whether justice is going to be served.

http://wnyt.com/article/stories/S1450747.shtml?cat=300

"A skinny horse is not a starved horse," Paragallo's defense attorney said during his closing remarks.

Even hard keepers shouldn't be that skinny! One or two in the entire herd maybe, but all 177??? Anyone that says differently doesn't know how to take care of a horse. Plus there's a HUGE difference between emaciated and "a little thin."

I mean seriously, LOOK at these: [Note: links contain pictures and news stories of some of the horses]
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/more_sports/2009/04/12/2009-04-12_spca_releases_images_of_neglected_animals_at_center_brook_farm.html
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/more_sports/2009/04/12/2009-04-12_spca_releases_images_of_neglected_animals_at_center_brook_farm.html [That's a YEARLING]
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/05/sports/othersports/05horses.html [Before and after pic of one of the horses]

Look at those pictures and tell me to my face there's nothing wrong with those horses.

Paragallo took the stand in his own defense Thurday. He said he expected the manager of the farm, Eddie Salazar, to keep him informed and take care of day-to-day operations.

He says, he told Salazar, "Whatever we need, just order it."

But under cross examination, Wilhelm asked Paragallo if he was in charge.

"No question. My responsibility is to manage that farm," Paragallo answered. "I have to rely on the people working for me."

I have a solution. We'll throw them BOTH in jail for thirty years or so. It was Paragallo's responsibility as owner to make sure his orders were carried out and whoever cared for the horses to actually DO their job.

Paragallo is facing a bench trial. There is no jury. The verdict will be up to the judge. His decision is expected on Wednesday.

I just hope the judge is a good one. I'll leave Wednesday's post open so I can look for updates as soon as I get home.

And the story that got me even more ticked off at our justice system (if that's possible)...http://www.thedailymail.net/articles/2010/03/06/news/doc4b91d49121672099560753.txt

“They were not undernourished, they were ugly,” he said.

My head just exploded. I can't even comprehend how someone could say that. I'm sure there are ugly horses out there, but there's a HUGE DIFFERENCE between ugly and starving.

Paragallo has insisted that his feeding methods were meant to slim down the horses before the breeding season, modeled after techniques in “Joe Taylor’s Complete Guide to Breeding & Raising Racehorses.” Paragallo said he knew Joe Taylor personally before Taylor died several years ago.

Excuse me while I run out and get this book. I'm pretty sure STARVING horses doesn't do you any good. Because starving horses don't have the nutrients they need to probably nourish a growing foal.

“They are using this case to get donations and charitable contributions for the Columbia-Greene Humane Society,” Howard said, noting newspaper clippings which quoted Bilinski about a benefit drive for the Center Brook Farm thoroughbreds at the Saratoga Race Course.

Do you have ANY idea how much it costs to care for 200 horses??? That's not even counting the medical bills those poor horses are going to have! Animal rescues are overflowing and BROKE! Do you expect them to take on 177 more horses and NOT have to raise money somehow??

Salazar did not testify during the trial because last month, Paragallo said, he left for Guatemala due to family illness. Paragallo purchased Salazar’s plane ticket and he has not been heard from since. Salazar’s testimony was required to charge Paragallo with the 35th count, which was withdrawn on Thursday.

Of COURSE he did. I wonder why...

But he said Friday afternoon that he made those statements before seeing the horses first-hand — having admittedly not been on the farm from August 2008 to April 2009 — and was judging the situation on media accounts of the April 8, 2009 raid. He said he later had independent evaluations of the horses done, which showed they were healthy.

They're not independent if YOU had them done. And how MUCH later?

On Wednesday We Will Know...

whether justice is going to be served.

http://wnyt.com/article/stories/S1450747.shtml?cat=300

"A skinny horse is not a starved horse," Paragallo's defense attorney said during his closing remarks.

Even hard keepers shouldn't be that skinny! One or two in the entire herd maybe, but all 177??? Anyone that says differently doesn't know how to take care of a horse. Plus there's a HUGE difference between emaciated and "a little thin."

I mean seriously, LOOK at these: [Note: links contain pictures and news stories of some of the horses]
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/more_sports/2009/04/12/2009-04-12_spca_releases_images_of_neglected_animals_at_center_brook_farm.html
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/more_sports/2009/04/12/2009-04-12_spca_releases_images_of_neglected_animals_at_center_brook_farm.html [That's a YEARLING]
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/05/sports/othersports/05horses.html [Before and after pic of one of the horses]

Look at those pictures and tell me to my face there's nothing wrong with those horses.

Paragallo took the stand in his own defense Thurday. He said he expected the manager of the farm, Eddie Salazar, to keep him informed and take care of day-to-day operations.

He says, he told Salazar, "Whatever we need, just order it."

But under cross examination, Wilhelm asked Paragallo if he was in charge.

"No question. My responsibility is to manage that farm," Paragallo answered. "I have to rely on the people working for me."

I have a solution. We'll throw them BOTH in jail for thirty years or so. It was Paragallo's responsibility as owner to make sure his orders were carried out and whoever cared for the horses to actually DO their job.

Paragallo is facing a bench trial. There is no jury. The verdict will be up to the judge. His decision is expected on Wednesday.

I just hope the judge is a good one. I'll leave Wednesday's post open so I can look for updates as soon as I get home.

And the story that got me even more ticked off at our justice system (if that's possible)...http://www.thedailymail.net/articles/2010/03/06/news/doc4b91d49121672099560753.txt

“They were not undernourished, they were ugly,” he said.

My head just exploded. I can't even comprehend how someone could say that. I'm sure there are ugly horses out there, but there's a HUGE DIFFERENCE between ugly and starving.

Paragallo has insisted that his feeding methods were meant to slim down the horses before the breeding season, modeled after techniques in “Joe Taylor’s Complete Guide to Breeding & Raising Racehorses.” Paragallo said he knew Joe Taylor personally before Taylor died several years ago.

Excuse me while I run out and get this book. I'm pretty sure STARVING horses doesn't do you any good. Because starving horses don't have the nutrients they need to probably nourish a growing foal.

“They are using this case to get donations and charitable contributions for the Columbia-Greene Humane Society,” Howard said, noting newspaper clippings which quoted Bilinski about a benefit drive for the Center Brook Farm thoroughbreds at the Saratoga Race Course.

Do you have ANY idea how much it costs to care for 200 horses??? That's not even counting the medical bills those poor horses are going to have! Animal rescues are overflowing and BROKE! Do you expect them to take on 177 more horses and NOT have to raise money somehow??

Salazar did not testify during the trial because last month, Paragallo said, he left for Guatemala due to family illness. Paragallo purchased Salazar’s plane ticket and he has not been heard from since. Salazar’s testimony was required to charge Paragallo with the 35th count, which was withdrawn on Thursday.

Of COURSE he did. I wonder why...

But he said Friday afternoon that he made those statements before seeing the horses first-hand — having admittedly not been on the farm from August 2008 to April 2009 — and was judging the situation on media accounts of the April 8, 2009 raid. He said he later had independent evaluations of the horses done, which showed they were healthy.

They're not independent if YOU had them done. And how MUCH later?