Local Horse Retires from Racing

As 6-year-old Pumped stepped onto the trailer on Christmas Eve to leave Philadelphia Park Racetrack at Parx in Bensalem for the last time, she became a milestone for Turning For Home, the racehorse retirement program of the Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association.

As the 500^th retiree, the gray mare represents the tremendous success of the non-profit program founded in May 2008 whose mission is to prevent non-competitive Thoroughbreds from ending up at slaughter.

"It is very appropriate that a mare like Pumped marks this accomplishment for the PTHA's program," said Barbara Luna, program administrator, in a release. "She is a sweetheart of a mare who raced at 13 different tracks in four years, performing her best with four of her five wins at Philadelphia Park for owner Lou Caccio of Victory Thoroughbreds, and trainer Ramon Preciado. Her efforts are the very reason that retired racehorses deserve second chances after their days at the track are finished."

Pumped joined three other retirees that moved on to the New England Thoroughbred Retirement Center (NETRC) in Deerfield, NH for some vacation and "let-down" time before being retrained, and placed with approved new homes.

Caccio, whose Victory Thoroughbreds was named Leading Owner at Philadelphia Park in 2009, has been a staunch supporter of Turning For Home since its inception.

"She was a good horse for us, was versatile on the dirt and turf, and tried hard in every race," said Caccio. " I spoke to Ramon after her last few races, and we both felt that it was important for her to finish racing with something left, and we were confident that she'd fit into the retirement program. It was the safest place she could go."

According to a story on BloodHorse.com, Pumped is the daughter of Petionville and had five career wins, 12 placings and earnings of $132,610.

Turning For Home works with many retirement and rescue programs such as the New England facility. Before a horse leaves the track, Turning For Home schedules a complete veterinary evaluation, thanks to the cooperation of the trainers and the donated time and efforts of many of the track's private practice veterinarians. The reports, which can include x-rays, or even surgical notes, as well as race records and background information are beneficial to anyone who helps move the horses on to their new careers.

"Pumped, who we've already nicknamed "Noel," is such a sweet mare and is already enjoying the attention from our many volunteers up here," said David Sears, founder of the New England facility. "We have high expectations that she will go on and make some adopter very happy, as many of the horses that we've received from Turning For Home have already done. The retired Thoroughbreds that we have received from Philadelphia Park have all been beautiful, well-represented horses, and we appreciate the efforts the program puts into communicating with us and supporting the horses once they leave the racetrack." 

Turning For Home has established itself as a model program for other racetracks, as it is supported by its horsemen's group, owners, and Parx Racing. Acknowledged by both the Jockey Club and the NTRA, the program has succeeded in "taking care of its own," and securing humane treatment for the many Thoroughbreds that otherwise may have had no place to go when finished racing.