Delta, Evangeline donate to new aftercare program

The National Thoroughbred Welfare Organization founded by prominent owner Rick Porter has announced both Delta Downs and Evangeline Downs, the sister tracks in Louisiana operated by Boyd Gaming, have committed funds to assist with the “rehoming” of horses in Louisiana.

The tracks are the first in the nation to commit financial support to the NTWO, which has a mission of “intercepting retired Thoroughbred horses from being sold into the slaughter pipeline,” according to a press release. The NTWO will have a representative at tracks and training centers to work with owners and their trainers to find new homes for horses whose racing careers have ended.

“While improvements have been made in the aftercare of racing’s horses, there is still much to be done,” Victoria Keith, president of NTWO, said in the release. “We have a lot of work in front of us, but we’re excited to get started and make a difference in the lives of horses in Louisiana. We are grateful to Delta Downs and Evangeline Downs for taking the lead in working with us to fight the indefensible practice of horse slaughter – and we encourage others to follow their lead.”

Delta, in Vinton, La., is currently conducting a meet for Quarter Horses, and Evangeline, in Opelousas, La., is in the midst of a meet for Thoroughbreds.

Porter is a longtime owner who races as Fox Hill Farm. He has campaigned a number of top-class runners including Havre de Grace, the 2011 Horse of the Year, and champion Songbird.

◗ Richard Eramia, the third-leading rider at Louisiana Downs and first in the standings at Lone Star Park, on Sunday began serving a seven-day suspension for a Lone Star riding infraction. It runs through Saturday, according to the stewards at Lone Star. Eramia was cited for his ride in the fifth race June 1.

◗ Bionic Butterfly, a half-sister to multiple stakes winner Four Leaf Chief, is part of a 10-horse field for the eighth race Wednesday night at Evangeline. The first-level allowance over 6 1/2 furlongs is restricted to fillies and mares bred in Louisiana. Bionic Butterfly is by Custom for Carlos and from the Grade 3-winning mare Pentatonic, an earner of $601,861.