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The Iowa Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (Iowa HBPA) is proud to announce the engagement of two nationally recognized industry leaders—Corey Johnsen, President of CJ Thoroughbreds, and Damon Thayer, President of Thayer Communications & Consulting—for a consultancy focused on securing a vibrant future for horse racing and breeding in Iowa.![]()
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The partnership will focus on crafting a comprehensive roadmap to sustain and grow the state’s equine industry. Both consultants will assist the Iowa HBPA in strategic meetings with stakeholders such as Prairie Meadows, Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission (IRGC), and Iowa Thoroughbred Breeders & Owners Association (ITBOA) promoting policies that support racing, breeding, and economic vitality across Iowa.![]()
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Damon Thayer: From Racetrack Roots to Legislative Triumphs![]()
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Damon Thayer brings unmatched depth in both racetrack operations and public policy. Beginning his career hot-walking and grooming horses at Hazel Park and Detroit Race Course, Thayer’s trajectory includes key roles in track publicity, communications leadership at Turfway Park, Laurel Park, Thistledown, Pimlico and executive management with Breeders’ Cup Ltd. His work included overseeing the Breeders’ Cup event management and helping operate Kentucky Downs.![]()
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A former Kentucky State Senator (2003–2024) and Majority Floor Leader (2013–2024), Thayer spearheaded groundbreaking legislation such as the 2021 bill that protected Historical Horse Racing (HHR), enabling Kentucky to offer the highest overall purses in the nation. He also played a central role in passing sports-wagering legislation, creating breeder incentive funds and modernizing pari-mutuel wagering laws. Thayer is a 2024 recipient of the Warner L. Jones Jr. Horseman of the Year Award and will be inducted into the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame later this year.![]()
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Currently, Thayer advises multiple jurisdictions through his firm, Thayer Communications & Consulting LLC, and remains actively involved as a racehorse owner through partnerships with CJ Thoroughbreds.![]()
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Corey Johnsen: Visionary Track Developer and Racing Advocate![]()
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Corey Johnsen brings over 40 years of multifaceted experience, ranging from groom and horse owner to racetrack president and innovator. Johnsen is best known for transforming Kentucky Downs into one of America’s premier boutique turf tracks during his tenure as president and part-owner from 2007 to 2019. Under his leadership, Kentucky![]()
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Downs pioneered the use of HHR terminals as a game-changer for funding purses and growing the local racing economy.![]()
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Johnsen’s impact extends beyond Kentucky. He has led or been instrumental in launching racetracks in Oklahoma, Texas, Mexico City and Uruguay and helped bring the Breeders’ Cup to Lone Star Park in 2004. He has served as chairman of the Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP), advancing multi-breed education and economic initiatives.![]()
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Now serving as President of CJ Thoroughbreds and a board member of several equine organizations, Johnsen remains dedicated to collaboration with horsemen, civic leaders and racing entities to improve industry economics and regional prosperity.![]()
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A New Vision for Iowa![]()
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“This is a pivotal moment for Iowa racing,” said Iowa HBPA Executive Director Jon Moss. “Damon and Corey bring the expertise, relationships and track record necessary to help us craft and implement a plan that strengthens our industry, protects Iowa-bred interests, and positions us as a leader in the Midwest.”![]()
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The Iowa HBPA looks forward to working closely with these nationally respected consultants to ensure that racing and breeding continue to be a source of pride, opportunity, and economic growth in Iowa for years to come.
The U.S. Supreme Court today issued a decision to grant, vacate, and remand (GVR) Nat’l Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Ass’n, et al. v. Horseracing Integrity and Safety Auth., Inc., et al. back to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, directing the lower court to reconsider the challenge to the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) in light of the Court’s recent ruling in Federal Communications Commission v. Consumers’ Research.![]()
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This action represents a renewed opportunity for the Fifth Circuit to address the fundamental constitutional issues raised by horsemen nationwide—and do so in a manner consistent with the highest Court’s recent guidance and precedent.![]()
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The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals twice declared HISA to be unconstitutional. In November 2022, the court decided that HISA illegally delegated legislative power to a private corporation. In response, Congress made a one-sentence tweak to the law. But in July 2024, the Fifth Circuit again declared that HISA unconstitutionally delegated governmental enforcement powers to a private corporation.![]()
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“We are confident that the Fifth Circuit, once again, will declare HISA to be unconstitutional.” said Eric Hamelback, CEO of the National HBPA. “Our well-founded arguments regarding HISA remain unchanged—it is a deeply flawed, unconstitutionally delegates governmental authority to a private corporation and places unfair burdens on horsemen.”![]()
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The GVR action signals that the Court recognizes a connection between its latest opinion and the legal arguments raised in the HBPA case. It also means that the Fifth Circuit’s prior ruling—critical of the structure of HISA— may be rewritten in a manner that potentially negates further consideration by the Supreme Court.![]()
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“The Supreme Court’s action should not change the prior opinion of the Fifth Circuit holding HISA to be unconstitutional” said Peter Ecabert, General Counsel of the NHBPA. “HISA is fundamentally different from and more flawed than the statute in the Consumers Research case. Under HISA, the FTC cannot appoint or remove Authority board members; plus the Authority was unlawfully granted sweeping enforcement powers that were not at issue in Consumers Research. I am confident the Fifth Circuit will find HISA unconstitutional a third time. Further, a beneficial development with this Supreme Court action is to permit any cases that have been held in abeyance awaiting Supreme Court guidance freedom to proceed.”![]()
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“This is an opportunity to put more legal points on the scoreboard and further clarify that HISA crosses constitutional boundaries,” said Daniel Suhr, lead counsel for the HBPA and president of the Center for American Rights. “The Supreme Court’s guidance ensures that lower courts will now reevaluate HISA in the context of how the Constitution limits federal power and protects against unchecked delegation to private entities.”![]()
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At the same time, the HBPA continues to champion a viable and constitutional alternative: the Racehorse Health and Safety Act (RHSA). The RHSA, introduced by Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) and Representative Clay Higgins (R-LA-03), will create an interstate compact of participating states to develop and enforce uniform, science-based rules on medication and racetrack safety—without unconstitutional federal overreach.![]()
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“RHSA is a common-sense solution—rooted in state cooperation, science, and fairness,” added Hamelback. “We can protect the integrity of the sport without trampling the rights of horsemen. The HBPA will continue to fight for the constitutional rights of horsemen in the Court of Appeals and back at the Supreme Court again if we have to.”
Statements from Eric Hamelback, Dale Romans on D. Wayne Lukas’ passing![]()
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From National HBPA CEO Eric Hamelback:![]()
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“No one will match what D. Wayne Lukas did in horse racing. Others — and a few already have — may win more Triple Crown races, more Breeders’ Cup races, train more champions, win more Grade 1 races or seasonal earnings. But no one is going to surpass The Coach’s intangibles: mentoring not only those who worked for him but many others who didn’t, providing wise counsel for generations of horsemen. It’s unfathomable that anyone will ever match Wayne’s “training tree” for assistants who went on to be nationally prominent horsemen, who in turn are producing assistants who go on to prominence. He made white bridles a fashion statement. He understood that mainstream media might not understand the intricacies of horse racing, but they would understand analogies to other sports and their star athletes. Wayne also did other things we all should try to replicate. He took the time and effort to interact with the fans, turning those who happened to be at the races into committed racing enthusiasts. Wayne is in a better place now, with his beloved son Jeff. We can best honor his memory by trying to do a fraction of what The Coach contributed to horse racing beyond his horses on the racetrack.”![]()
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From trainer Dale Romans, president of the Kentucky HBPA:![]()
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“We are heart-broken but also are tremendously grateful that horse racing had Wayne for as long as we did and were able to benefit from his horsemanship, trend-setting, charismatic way of creating new fans as well as his friendship and mentorship for so many of us.”
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Whoa, Nellie! #Keeneland's 2025 fall stakes meet is out. It pay$ to race in Kentucky - and to have Ky-bred$. #KTDF
@TOBAhorses @nationalhbpa @tharacing @ESPN680 @KYTbred @PaulMiles840 @RadioLouie @CBredar @FanDuel_Racing @BeckerTrackside
SCOTUS's decision in Consumers Research vindicates four years of litigation by the @nationalhbpa against HISA, and it lays a solid foundation for their challenge on remand to the 5th Cir. I explain for @theTDN:
Todd Pletcher discusses plans for Mindframe and Fierceness going forward.
https://www.horseracingnation.com/news/Mindframe_vs_Fierceness_in_the_Whitney_Pletcher_isn_t_sure_123
📸: Casey Laughter / Eclipse Sportswire
This week's #BHinterview spotlights fifth generation horseman Alfred Nuckols Jr. of Hurstland Farm. Read more: @newmanolivia3
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