Lucinda Lovitt

Chanel Minnifield is not typically one for tempered expectations. She moved to Los Angeles from Kentucky with actorly aspirations, and last year appeared in the Oscar-nominated movie, "Rustin." Minnifield started riding when she was a child and now, as a professional showjumper, has her sights set on competing at the 2028 Olympic Games. She has a book coming out; produces a podcast. But when earlier this year Minnifield applied to the California Retirement Management Account's (CARMA) Messineo Makeover Scholarship, she hoped it would help pay for a trip to the...

Back in March, a pre-race exam at Turf Paradise led to Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Bernie "Chip" Woolley accusing a regulatory veterinarian who had scratched his 10-year-old mare of furnishing him with the name of a horse trader who he suspected of being a "kill-buyer." This is someone who purchases horses for export into the slaughter pipeline. The incident triggered formal investigations by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) and the Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG). HISA shared its findings with the ADG, which ultimately cleared the state veterinarian, Victoria...

Seven months after learning they were one of a handful of racehorse rehoming and animal rescue organizations bequeathed a large sum of money by owner Nancy Messineo, the California Retirement Management Account (CARMA) have received the "significant gift" and are in the process of figuring out how to best use it. "We received this gift the end of last year right before Christmas," said Lucinda Lovitt, executive director of the non-profit founded 15 years ago to raise money for the state's fleet of retired racehorses. "It's timely in the sense...

Nearly seventy years ago, Sports Illustrated turf writer, Jim Murray, penned a love-letter to Santa Anita, and its opening day sonata of sun and sport unmatched by any East Coast oval stunned into icy retreat by the "fierce howlings of blue northers spun across finish lines." Santa Anita, Murray wrote, was an "extravagance of beauty." It was also a well-oiled money-spinner. Huge purses lured the best horses to Los Angeles, and the best horses lured the biggest crowds, their pockets brimming with the spoils of a post-war industrial boom transforming...

Some wear their philanthropic largesse as visibly as the Great Wall of China from outer space. Others prefer a more discreet badge. "I only found out about this three days ago," said Lucinda Lovitt early Tuesday morning. Lovitt is the executive director of the California Retirement Management Account (CARMA), the non-profit founded 15 years ago to raise money for the state's fleet of retired racehorses. Lovitt's weekend discovery? That CARMA was one of a handful of racehorse rehoming and animal rescue organizations bequeathed--and bequeathed without their prior knowledge--a sizeable sum...

Santa Anita Park's Senior Vice President Amy Zimmerman and multiple Eclipse Award-winning journalist Jay Privman have been elected to the board of directors for the the California Retirement Management Account (CARMA). The horse racing veterans fill vacancies left by the resignation of Candace Coder-Chew and the untimely passing of Howard Zucker late last year. "We are thrilled to welcome Amy and Jay to the CARMA Board of Directors," Billy Koch, President of CARMA, said. "Their vast knowledge and experience in the horse racing industry will be invaluable to our organization...

The California Retirement Management Account's summer fundraiser CARMAthon raised over $300,000 at Del Mar Saturday. The non-profit, which is dedicated to Thoroughbred aftercare in the state, joined with TVG, whose on-air commentators promoted the event throughout the day and played videos showcasing Thoroughbreds who retired through CARMA's Placement Program in their second careers as sport horses. The fundraiser was on pace to meet its goal of $150,000 when an anonymous donor put forth a dollar-for-dollar matching fund up to $150,000. This was met by the end of the day, bringing...

The summer fundraiser for California Retirement Management Account raised more than $125,000 to help fund its retirement and aftercare programs. CARMAthon was promoted throughout Saturday's GI TVG Pacific Classic day card at Del Mar by TVG, which created and played videos showcasing Thoroughbreds who retired through CARMA's Placement Program in their second careers as sport horses and whose on-air commentators highlighted the importance of aftercare for the sport. "The success of CARMAthon means so much to us and the horses," said Billy Koch, CARMA's Treasurer and Little Red Feather Racing...

Last year when facing a massive budget shortfall, the umbrella organization overseeing the fate of California's retired racehorses dodged a metaphorical projectile. "We were just so overwhelmed by the support we got for CARMAthon by the racing community," Lucinda Lovitt, executive director of the California Retirement Management Account (CARMA), said of a fundraising event held last year at Del Mar on Pacific Classic day. "Everybody on the board--especially those on the event committee--was blown away." Due to the fact that CARMA is primarily funded from purse contributions by owners, trainers...