I have a couple of updates today about the futures of two state agencies that have drawn unfavorable scrutiny during the sunset review process that leads to potential legislative overhauls.
For differing reasons, the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission staff, which does close scrutiny of agencies up for the periodic sunset review by lawmakers, had recommended major changes at the Texas Racing Commission (TRC) and the Texas Holocaust and Genocide Commission.
At TRC, the problems stemmed largely from the problems faced by the state’s struggling pari-mutuel racing industry. Once projected to be a big moneymaker for the state, horse and dog racing have disappointed. In fact, the last greyhound track in Texas closed last year.
Things You Might Have Missed - January 11 Star Missile (obscured in view) in the greys race at Flemington Image: Getty
Here s a few things you might have missed in the wide world of racing over the past week.
QUIRKY (from abroad)
Big last to first win (Japan)
There s nothing more visually impressive than one going around the entire field and leaving them in their dust.
This case in Urawa, Japan was particularly notable for the fact it was an extreme case, in every sense.
Seven-year-old entire Extreme came into his first run of 2021 with a career record of 59 starts for one win, that success coming in June 2019 at a muddy Oi.
McMahon Summarily Suspended, Off All Mounts At Sam Houston Sponsored by:
Jockey C.J. McMahon
Jockey Charles “C.J.” McMahon, arrested on Jan. 2 in Lafayette, La., and charged with attempted murder, illegal use of weapons and possession of schedule 1 drugs, has been summarily suspended by Texas Racing Commission stewards and taken off all mounts at Sam Houston Race Park, which kicks off its 2021 meeting on Friday evening.
The ruling states that McMahon “admitted to recent use of Marijuana and tested positive for Marijuana on a field test kit on Jan. 5, 2021. Jockey Charles McMahon is hereby summarily suspended starting on Jan. 5, 2021, pending a hearing.”