Esta ley declara la segunda semana de junio de cada año como la "Semana de la Hípica de Puerto Rico" para reconocer la contribución de la industria hípica a la economía y cultura de la isla. La ley instruye al Gobernador a emitir una proclama y a la Administración de la Industria y el Deporte Hípico a organizar actividades.
(H. B. 3575) (Reconsidered) (No. 60) (Approved February 14, 2004)
To declare and establish the second week of June of each year as "Puerto Rico Horse Racing Week."
The people of Puerto Rico have been characterized and known around the world for their tenacity and total dedication by representing their country with dignity through sports in general. Our horse racing is one of the most valued sports on the Island. Horse racing events started to be held in the $16^{ ext {th }}$ Century, in the famous and renowned Fiestas de San Juan. In turn, the legend arose of young Baltasar Montañez, who when he fell into a void with his horse and his life was saved as if by a miracle of God. The Chapel of the Christ, or Capilla del Cristo, was built at the site, in Old San Juan in gratitude for what had happened.
In 1882, the first race track was inaugurated in the city of Ponce. Afterwards, others appeared in various towns on the Island, such as San Germán, Mayagüez and San Juan, which gave rise to rivalries between the towns and to the so-called Syndicates. The syndicates raced horses among themselves to identify the owners of the best race horses. It was truly romantic horse racing. The pride of each owner was to own the race horse that was the swiftest and with most stamina; the prize was secondary. At present, 120 years have elapsed since the first official horse race was held.
That is how the famous feuds began between the racehorses "Majestic" race horse, representing the San Juan Syndicate, and "Perla Fina" of the Ponce Syndicate. By the year 1911, the first imported thoroughbreds, "Meteoro" and "Covadonga," arrived.
On May 13, 1913, the Act that made the Insular Horse Racing Committee official was created, to hold said Committee responsible for the management, administration and supervision of the Horse Racing Sport in Puerto Rico. Horse racing Pool betting, which is originally Puerto Rican, was created by Ernesto Apellaniz and Damián Artau in 1916.
In the 50s, there were three horse racing tracks in Puerto Rico: "Quintana," "Las Monjas" and "Las Casas." The renowned world champion "Camarero," who holds the record for most consecutively won races, for a total of 56, became a legend during these years. "Camarero" instilled such expectations through his feats on the tracks that many of his followers became horse racing fans as he approached the record established by the Hungarian mare, "Kinscem."
In 1957, the Government of Puerto Rico granted an exclusive license to San Juan Racing to operate Hipódromo El Comandante, originally located on 65th Infantry Ave., in Carolina.
The Horse Racing Industry and Sport Administration was created July 22, 1960, which was repealed by Act No. 83 of July 2, 1987. In it, the Horse Racing Administrator is the executive officer in charge of the supervision, administration and implementation of all matters pertaining to the laws and regulations that govern the Horse Racing Industry. The Horse Racing Board contemplated in this Act, is a quasi-juridical entity with the power to review any order issued or decision made by the Horse Racing Administrator or the Horse Racing Jury, which in turn is the Governing Body that directs and
supervises all the operations during official racing days. This Jury is composed of three members designated by the Horse Racing Administrator, one of whom acts as President.
This industry, interestingly, contributes greatly to the public treasury. All funds collected for licenses, and "pool" and "place" bets, are transferred to the General Fund so that they can be appropriated to our Public Education System, including our first center of learning, the University of Puerto Rico.
Official activities shall be held during Puerto Rico Horse Racing Week, in which the contribution of horse racing to the Puerto Rican economy is acknowledged since our horse racing industry produces around ten thousand $(10,000)$ direct and indirect jobs.
Section 1.- To declare and establish the second week of June of each year as "Puerto Rico Horse Racing Week."
Section 2.- The Governor, through a proclamation, shall exhort the People of Puerto Rico to commemorate the second week of June of each year as the "Puerto Rico Horse Racing Week."
Section 3.- The Horse Racing Industry and Sport Administration of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico shall adopt the necessary measures to comply with the purposes of this Act through the organization and holding of horse racing activities.
Section 4.- This Act shall take effect immediately after its approval.
I hereby certify to the Secretary of State that the following Act No. 60 (H.B. 3575) (Reconsidered) of the $7^{ ext {th }}$ Session of the $14^{ ext {th }}$ Legislature of Puerto Rico:
AN ACT to declare and establish the second week of June of each year as "Puerto Rico Horse Racing Week," has been translated from Spanish to English and that the English version is correct.
In San Juan, Puerto Rico, today $2^{ ext {nd }}$ of June of 2005.
Luis E. Fusté-Lacourt Director