The University of Arizona Race Track Industry Program provides a Leg Up in the Racing Industry

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents shut down all entrances and exits to Delta Downs Racetrack in Vinton, Louisiana, on Tuesday as part of a raid targeting undocumented backstretch workers, according to sources familiar with the operation.

Agents arrived mid-morning and quickly sealed off the area. Several workers were reportedly apprehended, according to Eric Hamelback, CEO of the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association.

Though Tuesday is a dark day at the track—currently hosting a live Quarter Horse meet—the raid has heightened concerns among horsemen and industry officials. Over the past two weeks, ICE has conducted similar operations in other states, targeting industries reliant on immigrant labor.

Ed Fenasci, executive director of the Louisiana HBPA, said he had only received second-hand reports and was seeking more details. “With the feds involved, there’s not much we can do or say,” he noted.

Friday saw President Trump appear to scale back some workplace enforcement efforts following industry pushback, though fears remain widespread. On Monday, the National HBPA urged members to contact lawmakers to advocate for protecting immigrant-reliant industries such as racing, agriculture, and hospitality.

Hamelback said he was in discussions with the American Business Immigration Coalition to better understand if horse racing will remain under federal scrutiny. “This is very concerning,” he said.

While many backstretch workers are employed through the H-2B visa program, its high costs and bureaucratic hurdles mean that undocumented labor remains common, especially at smaller tracks.

Dickey Bob, the richest Minnesota bred quarter horse of all time, will make what is likely his final start at Canterbury Park on Wednesday in race eight. Trainer Jason Olmstead refers to this as the 10-year-old Dickey Bob’s retirement tour. “They got this race to go for him,” he said of the racing office. “I don’t think there will be anything else for him here this season. I hope he puts on a show and wins.”

Dickey Bob was bred in Minnesota by Bruce and Judy Lunderborg who run as Lunderborg LLC. He is by the sire Apollitical Jess out of a mare the couple raced named Paint Or More. Dickey Bob has 14 wins from 22 starts at Canterbury, missing the top three just four times while amassing earnings of $260,695. He has at least one win and at least one stakes win each season at Canterbury from 2017 through 2023. There were no races for Dickey Bob in Shakopee last year but he ran nine times between Remington Park, Will Rogers Downs and Prairie Meadows, winning twice. “Last year as a 9-year-old he got out nodded in a Grade 2 at Remington by a hell of a horse,” Olmstead said. 

In all Dickey Bob has started 68 times with 31 wins, nine seconds and eight thirds with earnings of $512,719. He has won at distances from 110 yards to 400 yards.

“When they don’t lose a step at his age it’s just sheer dumb luck,” Olmstead said. “I pride myself in our program and having older horses still running. To have a horse at 10 stay at the same level as when they were 2 and 3 is an accomplishment.

“He takes care of himself around the barn. Doesn’t matter where we took him he always competes.”

Paint Or More has produced several full brothers to Dickey Bobincluding PYC Jess Bite Mydust who had a stellar career of his own winning seven times and earning $274,662. For several years the brothers, PYC Jess Bite Mydust is a year older, had epic battles in state bred stakes often taking turns beating each other while running one-two.

Jess Rocket Man, another full brother, was foaled in 2018. He also faced Dickey Bob at Canterbury beating him in the 2022 Bob Morehouse only to have Dickey Bob get the better of him in the Skip Zimmerman later that summer.

When his career does end this year, Dickey Bob will be retired to Olmstead’s Oklahoma farm. 

“I’ve got BiteMydust and Rocket Man already,” Olmstead said. “There is room in the pasture with them.” There is also room in the Canterbury Park Hall of Fame, where Dickey Bob is destined to join his trainer.

Racing begins at 5 p.m. central on Wednesday.

The final night of the 2025 Sam Houston Race Park Quarter Horse live racing season offered quality racing and thrilling finishes throughout the 11-race program. In addition to the two graded stakes on the final program, seven additional features, at a variety of distances, showcased plenty of talented sprinters and distance specialists.

Master Reigns Upsets in the  $54,000 Jesse Yoakum Memorial  870 Stakes

A very exciting finish by Master Reigns resulted in an upset in the $54,000 Jesse Yoakum Memorial 870 Stakes.  The six-year-old son of Dash Master Jess, owned and bred by Richard A. Hawkins and trained by Marc Jungers, crossed the wire on :45.851 under jockey Raul Hernandez, Jr.

“We gave him a little vacation after Sunland Park and brought him back to our farm in New Mexico,” said Jungers. “He had a couple of solid works; I can’t say we were confident about our chances, but we are awfully proud of him!”

Last year’s winner, Bryon Gardner’s homebred Eye Will Decide, was second, followed by  Gjr Rooster, owned by Richard Young, Joe David Yates and Zack Stinebaugh, ran third with Determined completing the superfecta.

Master Reigns was overlooked at 18-1 in the wagering and rewarded his supporters with a $38.60 win ticket.

His record now stands at five wins from 31 starts and earnings of $116,083.

This was the third running of the stakes, named in honor of Quarter Horse trainer Jesse Yoakum,  who ran horses at Sam Houston Race Park from 1994 through his death in 2019. Yoakum’s wife Sharon, son Jerry Lee along with his wife, Rosslyn and their daughter Jaycee were on hand to make the trophy presentation.

Hollywoode Takes the $54,000 Willie Hickman Memorial in Front Running Fashion

Sam Houston Race Park also honored Willie Hickman, a longtime member of the Sam Houston Racing office in the $54,000 Willie Hickman Memorial Stakes.

The winner of the 400-yard features was Hollywoode ($9.80), a 4-year-old colt by Hawkeye, who bested eight rivals from  gate-to wire in :19,961 seconds with Louisiana-based rider Yaidel Rodriguez in the saddle. Leobersi Perez purchased the Bobby D. Cox homebred for $33,000 at the 2022 TQHA Yearling Sale. 

Trainer Fernando Lopez was on hand for the colt’s fourth career victory.

“We are very happy with the win,” said Lopez. “I am thankful to all the people who made this happen: the owner, jockey and my team. We came from Louisiana and are very proud of this horse!”

Prominent Texas breeder Pete Scarmardo won the first two editions of the Willie Hickman Memorial but had to settle for second on Saturday night with Hes A Jet One. Sent off as the post time favorite, the 5-year-old son of Ec Jet One, trained by John Stinebaugh, finished second by a neck under rider Ali Rivera.

Top Cowboy, a 4-year-old son of Flying Cowboy 123, was third, followed by Deagree.

Family members including Shyrl O’Banan Hopkins made the presentation to the winner.

Driving Finish By Ladys Gotta Jet in the $54,750 Miss Sam Houston  Stakes

It was another solid finish by Pete Scarmardo’s homebred Ladys Gotta Jet in the $54,750 Miss Sam Houston Stakes, for accredited Texas-bred fillies and mares.

The 4-year-old daughter of Ec Jet One out Lady Lilia, also bred by Scarmardo, won her second race of the 2025 Sam Houston meet, covering 330 yards in  :16.865 seconds under rider Ali Rivera. Trainer John Stinebaugh and his son, Zackary, who also trained several runners on the card, joined Scarmardo for the trophy presentation. Ladys Gotta Jet ($7.00) won $ 32,850 for the victory, increasing her career earnings to $147,336.

“Always glad as a breeder and owner when your horse gives a good effort and wins a stakes race,” said Scarmardo.

The favorite on the tote board, Jess Louisiana Girl finished second by a neck with Claudio Aguilar in the saddle. The filly by Chilitos returned off a second-place finish in the John Buchanan Memorial Stakes here on May 17. Embers Time winner of that stakes, completed the superfecta.

OnthRocks Wins Another Edition of the $54,000 Sam Houston 550 Stakes 

A very solid group of nine older accredited Texas-breds competed in the $54,500 Sam Houston 550 Stakes. 

Onthrocks, the 2023 champion returned in fine form to get the job done once again for owner Sarah Huskey and trainer Esteban Rubio.

Luis Vivanco rode the 6-year-old gelding by A Revenant, to victory in a final time of :27.538 seconds over the fast track, besting another quality Texas-bred Dm Preacher Man by a half-length. 

Donna Mushinski’s Dm Preacher Man, also sired by A Revenant,  trained by her husband Kie, was ridden by Eliazar Vera. The handsome gray ran fourth in last year’s edition of the Sam Houston 550 Stakes. Lz King Of The Kings, an 8-year-old son of Ethics Aside, completed the trifecta under jockey Oscar Andrade, with Thrill And Fury finishing fourth.

Ima Chili Zooms to Victory in the $55,000 Sam Houston 250 Stakes

The $55,000 Sam Houston 250 Stakes always provides an exciting finish and this year’s edition was no exception! In his second start of the meet Darrell L. Hooper’s Ima Chili emerged victorious in a speedy :13.031 seconds under jockey Oscar Andrade, Jr. 

“That’s a fast little horse,” said Hooper. “I believe in his ability, especially at 250 yards.”

Bred in by Sarah Huskey, the son of Chilitos is trained by Zackery Rios. Sent off as the third betting choice in the field, Ima Chili paid $10.20 for the win.

Goodtime In Texas, a 4-year-old filly by Duponte ran a game second with Jose Herbert in the saddle followed by Cowgurl Up, a  P & J Racing Ltd homebred and You Look Famous.