Diamond Harness Alliance Formed
Wednesday,
May 22, 2006 - from David Siegel,
CHHA Director
The California Harness Horsemen’s
Association (CHHA) has “opened its
doors”, so to speak, to three other
western states in the spirit of
cooperation and has formed an
alliance that is aimed to strengthen
the industry for all four
participants. Wisconsin, Iowa and
Minnesota through their respective
horsemen’s associations have all
agreed to participate in this
creative program called the Diamond
Harness Alliance (DHA).
At its core, “Alliance” horses
shipping to California will be
eligible for some incentives, which
aim to increase the value of these
equines. Such horses will be
eligible for a shipping
reimbursement program and those that
are foals from registered sires in
alliance states will qualify for all
special “Cal-Sired” allowances which
are currently only afforded only to
horses officially registered as
California-sired. Of course, these
horses will not be eligible to race
in California Sires Stakes races.
In addition to these benefits, the
CHHA along with the Sacramento
Harness Association (SHA) plan to
offer four divisions of late closers
this fall (filly pace, filly trot,
colt pace and colt trot) with final
purses estimated at $25,000, for
three-year old alliance horses.
CHHA President Ben Kenney commented,
“The pari-mutuel and fair racing in
Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin comes
to a grinding halt in the late fall.
Here in California, now with
year-round racing, we face the
challenge of giving our horses some
time off, while still maintaining a
solid product for our fans. Finally,
with no tracks within shipping
distance, our racing product is a
little less varied than we would
like. The alliance concept addresses
all of these concerns and
effectively improves the programs in
all four states.”
SHA General Manager Chris Schick
echoed Kenney’s sentiments. “More
than ever, with the eastern racing
programs being subsidized more and
more with slot revenues, we have to
find creative ways to attract more
horses to the Golden State. We have
an attractive purse program already
in place. That, coupled with the
shipping reimbursement program and
the DHA late closers we are planning
this fall, and a
soon-to-be-announced new horse
incentive program, I think we can be
an attractive late fall and winter
alternative for these horses and
some horsemen.”
The topic will be discussed at the
upcoming CHHA meeting on Saturday,
May 27th, to be held at Cal-Expo at
12:30pm.
