Jockey Akifumi Kato notched career Thoroughbred winner 2,000 at Turf Paradise on April 23 when he guided She's a Hit to capture the day's eighth race. The three-year-old filly, an Arizona-bred daughter of Top Hit, who is trained by Kaylyn Kato, won the about 7 1/2-furlong turf $30,000 maiden claimer in the final strides as the two-to-one favorite.

  Kato, 60, was born in Japan and began riding in 1976. He spent the bulk of his career riding in the Pacific Northwest at Portland Meadows, Yakima Downs, Emerald Downs, Hastings Park and Playfair.

  Washington Thoroughbred is once again among the finalists for the annual American Horse Publication Awards. A total of 90 AHP members submitted 686 entries for work done in 2011 with a total of 167 awards to be presented to the finalists on June 2, 2012, during the AHP "Ride Into History" event held this year in Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia. This is the sixth time in the past seven years in which Washington Thoroughbred has been among the honored finalists, with four wins.

  Twenty-two professional judges placed the classes and provided constructive criticism for all entries at this the 38th AHP Annual Awards Contest.

  Other Thoroughbred publications among the finalists are: Keeneland Magazine, Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred, The Blood-Horse, The Florida Horse and Thoroughbred Times.

  It was announced in April that U S National and Washington Hall of Fame rider Russell Baze has been elected into the Canadian Racing Hall of Fame in the jockey-trainer category.

  Three-year-old Late Night Sky, a 2011 Pegasus Thoroughbreds sale graduate, won a $75,000 maiden claiming race at Santa Anita on April 12 for Al and Saundra Kirkwood and Mark Dedomenico LLC. The Kentucky-bred gelding by North Light (Ire)-Bernhardt, by Out of Place is trained by Kathy Walsh.

  On April 14, Edward and Theresa DeNike's Bailouttheminister, a four-year-old California-bred son of Ministers Wild Cat-T. G.'s Girl, won a six-panel allowance at Golden Gate by 3 1/2-lengths, improving his record to 4-2-2 from 13 starts and earnings to $127,774.

  Pam Thomas and Steve Koler's homebred Step Aside Clyde, a Washington-bred son of Trail City-Trial by Judge, by Acquitted, won an about 7 1/2-furlong turf allowance at Turf Paradise by 51/2 lengths on April 13. The four-year-old's next trip to the winner's circle was on April 21 when he scored a one-length victory in an about one-mile turf race at the Arizona meet. Koler also trains the three-time winning gelding who has earned $26,340.

  Three-year-old Hardbody, a Kentucky-bred daughter of Hard Spun, won a $32,000 maiden claiming race at Golden Gate for trainer Tim McCanna. The new winner is owned in partnership by Emerald Downs' Joe Withee, Dean Mazzuca, et. al.

  Parker's Storm Cat's stakes-winning son Sloane Ranger, a six-year-old Pennsylvania-bred gelding out of Toppenish -a daughter of former leading Washington sire You and I - finished second in the seven-furlong Lyman Handicap at Parx Racing on April 14, pushing his earnings to $319,272. 2011 Washington leading sire Parker's Storm Cat, who currently ranks first on the 2012 sire list, stands at Gibson Thoroughbred Farm in Thorp.

  Longshot All Squared Away, a three-year-old gelded son of Bellamy Road scored an upset 1 1/2-length win for trainer and Washington native Wesley Ward in the $200,000 Coolmore Lexington Stakes (G3) at Keeneland on April 21. The new graded stakes winner's granddam, Second Degree, is a half-sister to the dam of Washington champion two-year-old Schoolin You and to Char Clark Thoroughbreds' young broodmare Striking Scholar.

  Europa Point (Ire), who won the L Jaffee Empress Club Stakes (SAf-G1) at Turffontein in South Africa on April 10, is another in the long line of Grade and Group 1 runners descending form Change Water, who is also the third dam of Woodstead Farm's successful Seattle Slew-sired stallion He's Tops.

New Rescue Horse Info Site Launches

  In late April the Equine Network launched Ahomeforeveryhorse.com, a new online source for content about America's horses in need of care and shelter. The site is part of A Home For Every Horse on Equine.com, a collaboration of The Equine Network and The American Horse Council's Unwanted Horse Coalition designed to place, foster and sponsor America's homeless horses.

  Purina Mills, Tractor Supply Company and Weatherbeeeta USA and W.F. Young Inc. are leading sponsors of the program.

  Efforts began earlier this year to solicit and post free listings for horses available for placement through nonprofit rescue organizations on Equine.com, the industry's largest website for buying and selling horses, trailers and farms. To date, more than 450 equines in shelters across the country are listed on the site. The Equine Network is using its connection with more than 1.5-million horse owners each month to promote the program through its online and print outlets, including this new rescue information online resource.

  Ahomeforeveryhorse.com includes articles about: rescue horse success stories, caring for adopted rescue horses, training adopted rescue horses, things to keep in mind if considering adopting a rescue horse and how to help make life better for America's unwanted horses. The site links directly to the horses available for adoption through A Home for Every Horse on Equine.com.

  The articles come straight from the editors of America's leading equine publications, such as EQUUS, Practical Horseman and Horse & Rider.

  "We're excited to be able to offer people who want to learn more about this critical issue one, user-friendly access point for information from trusted sources," said Cathy Laws, Equine Network Editorial Director. "Whether they're looking for step-by-step guidance on nourishing a rescued horse back to health from veterinary experts or simply curious about what types of volunteer opportunities may be available at a local rescue, they can learn about it at Ahomeforeveryhorse.com."

Department of Labor Finalizes Changes to H-2B Visa Program

  On February 21, 2012, the Department of Labor (DOL) issued a final rule concerning the H-2B temporary guest worker program. This new rule went into effect on April 23, 2012, and will make significant changes to the way the H-2B program operates for all employers including those in the horse industry. 

  "Anyone in the horse industry who uses the H-2B program needs to be aware of this new rule. It makes major changes to the responsibilities of employers using the program and if the new guidelines aren't followed employers could be fined and barred from using the program," said American Horse Council President Jay Hickey.

  The H-2B program is used by members of the horse industry, principally horse trainers and owners who cannot find American workers to fill semi-skilled jobs at racetracks, horse shows, fairs and in similar non-agricultural activities.

  The AHC believes the new rule will make the H-2B program more costly and burdensome for employers who are forced to use the program and has opposed the new rule. "It is unfortunate the DOL decided to finalize this rule," said AHC legislative director Ben Pendergrass. "This rule will make it difficult for trainers and others in the horse industry to use the program and could impact American jobs. The current rule was working well for the industry and included many protections for foreign and American workers."

  The final rule, among other things, will:

• Require an employer to pay most inbound and outbound travel expenses for H-2B workers.
• Extend H-2B program benefits, such as reimbursement of transportation cost, to American "corresponding workers" that work alongside H-2B workers and perform substantially the same work.
• Require employers to provide documentation that they have taken appropriate steps to recruit U S workers, rather than permitting employers to attest to such compliance.
• Increase the amount of time employers must try to recruit U S workers.
• Prohibit job contractors from using the program.
• Define temporary need as nine months, previously it was ten months.
• Define full time employment as 35 hours a week, previously it was 30 hours.

  "This final rule is complex and has many new provisions and changes. If you are an employer who uses the program you should review the new guidelines and contact the lawyer or agent you use to process H-2B applications to ensure you are in compliance with the new rule when it goes into effect on April 23," said Pendergrass.  

  DOL guidance and the complete rule can be found on the Department of Labor's website at http://www.dol.gov/whd/immigration/H2BFinalRule/index.htm.  

  "Many Members of Congress are also displeased with this new rule and believe it could hurt industries in their states. The AHC is going to continue to work with those Members to try and roll back this new rule. Unfortunately, gridlock in Washington will prevent any quick action by Congress and the horse industry will have to comply with the new rule for the foreseeable future," said Hickey. 

  The AHC encourages members of the equestrian community to visit its website www.horsecouncil.org  to see the full article and to learn how federal legislation and regulations impact them and how they can get involved. 

The Jockey Club and NTRA Launch America's Best Racing Website

  The Jockey Club and the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) have launched a new fan-oriented website: America's Best Racing at followhorseracing.com.

  The new site, jointly managed by The Jockey Club and NTRA Communications, includes information about horses, jockeys, trainers, owners, and races; various tools to explore and learn about wagering; and the latest news, videos and photographs surrounding the Triple Crown and Breeders' Cup seasons. There are profiles of the top 50 Triple Crown contenders and their connections, features provided by The Blood-Horse, and contributions from more than a dozen of the sport's leading bloggers and reporters.

  "America's Best Racing is a key component in The Jockey Club's multi-pronged marketing and fan development campaign, which includes the Road to the Kentucky Derby television series and the development of other digital content," said James L. Gagliano, president and chief operating officer of The Jockey Club.

  "Following its initial launch, America's Best Racing will grow and unfold through a series of phased roll-outs as Thoroughbred racing transitions from the Triple Crown season to the Road to the Breeders' Cup," Gagliano added. "Additional content relating to the older horses will be added and new features will include behind-the-scenes access, exclusive videos, interactive functionalities and social media games."

  "We are pleased to collaborate with The Jockey Club to expand the sport's digital platform," said Alex Waldrop, president and chief executive officer of the NTRA. "At a future date, many of the fan-centric components of NTRA.com will be transitioned to America's Best Racing."

    The America's Best Racing website was designed by Lightmaker, an international digital strategy company whose brand portfolio includes Disney, EA Sports, The Open Championship, World Anti-Doping Agency, Professional Bull Riders, Sony Play Station, JK Rowling, Manchester United and Chelsea Football Club. Lightmaker maintains offices in the United Kingdom, Netherlands, Canada and the United States.

  In August 2011, following a comprehensive study of the sport by McKinsey & Company, The Jockey Club announced a series of new fan development initiatives entitled, "Driving Sustainable Growth for Thoroughbred Racing and Breeding." Additional information is available at jockeyclub.com.