Stronach Wants Dirt Back At Santa Anita

[David-LV]

Stronach Wants Dirt Back

http://www.horseraceinsider.com/blog...y-do/#comments (http://www.horseraceinsider.com/blog.php/lines-in-the-sand/comments/they-know-not-what-they-do/#comments)

Frank Stronach, who signs the checks, has reportedly told Charles that he wants dirt redux at Santa Anita. Still on the books is the racing board's mandate that all major thoroughbred tracks in California must use synthetic surfaces as part of their licensing requirements, but the racing board might owe Stronach one. He's already spent more than $10 million--the outlay is probably well north of that by now--trying to do what they forced him to do. Can the racing board now ask struggling Magna--with losses of $350 million in the last three-plus years, and in jeopardy of being deep-sixed from the NASDAQ stock exchange--to spend $10 million more on Pro-Ride, or Tapeta, or Jiffy Lube? I say that they'll have to put a gun to Stronach's head before that happens. And then Stronach would take a chance that it's a gun that isn't loaded.

_________
David

[Spectacular Sid]

Stronach Wants Dirt Back

http://www.horseraceinsider.com/blog...y-do/#comments (http://www.horseraceinsider.com/blog.php/lines-in-the-sand/comments/they-know-not-what-they-do/#comments)

Frank Stronach, who signs the checks, has reportedly told Charles that he wants dirt redux at Santa Anita. Still on the books is the racing board's mandate that all major thoroughbred tracks in California must use synthetic surfaces as part of their licensing requirements, but the racing board might owe Stronach one. He's already spent more than $10 million--the outlay is probably well north of that by now--trying to do what they forced him to do. Can the racing board now ask struggling Magna--with losses of $350 million in the last three-plus years, and in jeopardy of being deep-sixed from the NASDAQ stock exchange--to spend $10 million more on Pro-Ride, or Tapeta, or Jiffy Lube? I say that they'll have to put a gun to Stronach's head before that happens. And then Stronach would take a chance that it's a gun that isn't loaded.

_________
David


Rumor is that Andy Stronach is planning to have female mud wrestling next winter on days when it rains, and none of the synthetic surfaces works very well for that kind of a sideshow.

[toetoe]

Let me applaud Stronach for all his positions I support:

1) Calling for real dirt. :ThmbUp:

2) Um, well ... moron this later. :blush:

[onefast99]

Breeders cup 2 years in a row, put back the dirt its well worth it!

[cj]

Let me applaud Stronach for all his positions I support:

1) Calling for real dirt. :ThmbUp:

2) Um, well ... moron this later. :blush:

Umm...Freudian slip?

[BillW]

Most conspiracy theories are moronic, BUT Did Stronach botch this job because he was throwing a temper tantrum about being told to install an artificial surface (and not given a casino)? :eek:

[cnollfan]

Let me applaud Stronach for all his positions I support:

1) Calling for real dirt. :ThmbUp:

2) Um, well ... moron this later. :blush:

I'm with you, toetoe.

[toetoe]

However it happened, more power to him. (Now, THERE is a Freudian slip.)

[Indulto]

Interesting dilemma for the CHRB. If he has to go to court to get the real dirt on his opponents, Stronach seems a likely winner. According to Paul Moran, Harris may be on his way out and maybe Shapiro has had enough aggrevation, already. That might be enough to shift the balance in a waiver vote.

Plus Frank can always pull a NYRA. Don't want to give me a waiver like Bay Meadows, then talk to my state asemblyman/Senator and explain why Arcadia is going to become a ghost town even though the BC wants to run here two years in a row.

My money's on Frank to get down and dirty with a new surface called MAGNAtrak and who's to say it won't be synthetic because the only wax anyone can find will be in the CHRB's board members' ears. :D

[hibiscus]

I heard a rumor that he's pushing for Frank's Energy Surface.

[Steve 'StatMan']

Will they (leder)hose themselves again?

[Indulto]

http://news.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=43736 (http://news.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=43736)
Santa Anita to Replace Surface
by Tracy Gantz February 22, 2008 Experts from all avenues of the racing industry presented statistics and opinions on synthetic surfaces before a standing-room-only crowd during a six-hour special meeting called by the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) Feb. 20. While some horsemen, including trainers Bob Baffert and John Shirreffs, spoke out against the surfaces, the majority of speakers supported the switch away from dirt.

… More than 50 people spoke at the meeting, with one notable absence—Paul Harper of Cushion Track. CHRB chairman Richard Shapiro said that he received an e-mail from Harper, who was a “last-minute scratch.”

Perhaps the most contentious panel came from the trainers, with many supporting the new surfaces and others opposed to it. The trainers primarily discussed whether

… “The natural resources in our area make it difficult for us to get the sandy loam we need to make a good racetrack,” said Mandella, who has horses stabled at both Santa Anita and Hollywood Park. “Tracks little by little got worse and worse, and the injury rate showed it. …

The veterinarian panel discussed many of the injury questions. … injury rates on synthetic surfaces often dropped when horses ran without toe grabs behind. Dr. Isbell … urged the CHRB to allow horses to race barefoot.

… Many of the panelists agreed that synthetic tracks need good maintenance programs and that the components in the surfaces will degrade over time, requiring a re-application of materials.

… the jockey panel all praised the synthetic surfaces, despite the glitches.

“My body has felt tremendously better,” said Gomez. “They really help with the wear and tear on our bodies.”

Stevens said that the majority of his 14 knee surgeries during his career occurred due to jarring on hard, sealed, or inconsistent dirt tracks. ...http://www.latimes.com/sports/horseracing/la-sp-horse21feb21,1,1147714.story (http://www.latimes.com/sports/horseracing/la-sp-horse21feb21,1,1147714.story)
Santa Anita to replace track
By Larry Stewart February 21, 2008… "Our aim is for this track to get us through the next nine weeks of this meet," Charles said. "Then we'll examine all possibilities and proceed from there."

Work on taking out the current track and installing a new one won't begin until after Hollywood Park's spring-summer meet because some horses that run at the Inglewood track train at the Arcadia facility, Charles said.

… Despite outspoken critics, the consensus was synthetic tracks provide a safer surface for horses and jockeys and are generally good for the sport.

… The initial vendor, Paul Harper of England-based Cushion Track, attempted to fix the drainage problem but apparently only made things worse.

Another vendor, Ian Pearse of Australia-based Pro-Ride, was brought in and, working with USC professor Jean-Pierre Bardet, found a solution to the problem.

After an intense 4 1/2 -day repair project, racing resumed Feb. 9, and the first three days went well.

But then came last week's problem. …http://www.latimes.com/sports/printedition/la-spw-horse21feb21,1,157854.story (http://www.latimes.com/sports/printedition/la-spw-horse21feb21,1,157854.story)
Much discussion on synthetic track
New surface is reviewed and debated during a lengthy meeting at Santa Anita.
By Larry Stewart February 21, 2008 Near the end of an all-day meeting at Santa Anita in which nearly 50 of the biggest names in horse racing had been heard, Eual Wyatt, Hollywood Park's general manager and one of six members on the ninth and last panel of the day, grabbed the microphone.

"We've heard some magnificent views here today," he said. "Few things in the world are perfect, and synthetic tracks are not perfect. But they are better than what we had."

Wyatt said he initially wasn't in favor of the California Horse Racing Board mandating that the state's major thoroughbred tracks convert to synthetic surfaces by the end of 2007. But at Wednesday's meeting, he said the CHRB mandate couldn't "have been any more timely."

Looking ahead, Wyatt said the tracks should work together and turn to science to make needed improvements.

… when Baffert and other critics complained about synthetic tracks causing horses to bleed, Ellis said, "Where does it say synthetic tracks cause bleeding?"

… In addition to Ellis, David Hofmans, Richard Mandella, John Sadler and Doug O'Neill were among the trainers on a large panel who voiced positive reviews.

… Jean Pierre Bardet … explained to panelists and a crowd of about 150 how synthetic tracks are made. They are 80% sand, 10-15% fibers and rubber and 5-10% a polymer binder or wax.

The meeting included debates over whether a polymer binder or wax is best without a definitive conclusion reached. …http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/20080221-9999-1s21horses.html (http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/20080221-9999-1s21horses.html)
Polytrack virtues, faults are debated at meeting
By Hank Wesch February 21, 2008 … Seven different panels of experts had their say before the board in a meeting that was carried live on the Internet. And Del Mar 2007, a meeting characterized by fewer injuries, slower times …

… “Whatever happens at Del Mar gets reported,” Harper said. “Everybody pays attention in San Diego. A few years ago (at a meeting that began with a rash of fatalities), the headline on the front page of the San Diego Union-Tribune on Pacific Classic day was 'What's killing horses at Del Mar?' And we were below the national average at the time . .

“When you get coverage like that, it's a short step to a U.S. congressional hearing and a Michael Vick situation.

“The No. 1, 2 and 3 reasons we went to Polytrack was the safety of the horses. If times are slower, I'll live with that. I'll trade that for a 75 percent reduction in injuries any day.”

… Trainer John Shirreffs: “Del Mar was a resounding failure for the horses running on it. When you see these horses running (exceptionally slow times) and finishing with their heads up and struggling. . . . These are performance horses and you're taking that away from them.”

… Doug O'Neill presented pro-synthetic surface arguments, noted the decrease in fatal and nonfatal injuries at Del Mar before saying: “Del Mar was the only track where you (formerly) had animal rights activists outside the gates and they printed a body count in the paper the next day.”

Said trainer Barry Abrams: “I went to Del Mar last year with 26 horses and I left with 29. Any other year I would go with 26 and leave with 18. . . . Two years from today we'll be praising Chairman Shapiro for what he has done in bringing synthetic tracks to California.”

… Del Mar's Tom Robbins said: “In my over 25 years at Del Mar, in terms of the lowest number of catastrophic and noncatastrophic injuries, 2007 was the best year ever. . . . Our average field size increased as the meeting went along, which is almost unheard of, and with the low attrition rate, we sent a lot more horses on to race at the Los Angeles-area tracks later in the year.”Shirreffs trains for Jerry Moss, the CHRB member who abstained from voting on the mandate, and who was recently re-appointed to the board.

[Indulto]

http://www.bloodhorse.com/talkinhorses/RS022208.asp (http://www.bloodhorse.com/talkinhorses/RS022208.asp)
TALKIN HORSES
Richard Shapiro Chairman, California Horse Racing Board
Friday, Feb 22, 2008… Louisville, KY:
… Do you feel a switch back to dirt is the prudent thing for Santa Anita?

Shapiro:
… We have put in place all the regulatory steps necessary to protect all possible situations as a precaution. As you likely know, I have been an advocate for safer surfaces for both horse and rider.. Lets not also forget the investment of Breeders, Owners, Trainers and fans, all who support this industry. We as an industry must do everything we can to provide the best possible surfaces to preserve and protect our most precious commodity, the horse. Honestly, I don’t care what surface horses race on, we need to simply make every surface as safe as we possibly can.

… Baltimore, MD:
I commend the effort the California Horse Racing Board attempting to create safer racing surfaces, but in saying that do you stand behind the deadline that was placed on all tracks in California? All synthetic surfaces put in use in California have experienced issues. It seems the catastrophic injuries are down, but has any data been recorded on non catastrophic career ending injuries. Sources at one track claim they have taken more horses off in the horse ambulance during training than before an artificial surface was installed. Do you have any information, or could you comment on any new injuries being discovered? At Golden Gate there was a rash of breakdowns before maintenance procedures where changed could some of these issues been reduced by having experience in maintaining a product rather than rushing to install a new product?

Shapiro:
You have asked a series of questions here, and they all deserve answers. I hope that you will take the time to watch the web cast of our Special Purpose Meeting held this week which hopefully addressed most of these questions. For me the bottom line is that we as an industry have an obligation to strive for the safest possible surfaces. I am certainly disappointed in some aspects of Synthetics to date, but I still believe they hold promise for both the present and the future. Maintenance is key, as shown at Golden Gate, and it would appear to me that differing climates dictate different protocols. Again, please go to www.chrb.ca.gov (http://www.bloodhorse.com/talkinhorses/www.chrb.ca.gov) and watch the web cast of our meeting on this subject and I hope your answers will be better addressed.

… Arcadia, CA:
If Bay Meadows runs next year will they be required to install a synthetic main track or will you give them another one-year waiver if they request it?

Shapiro:
Ah, I was wondering if this was going to be asked! Honestly, that is a decision that the full Board will have to consider when and if it is raised. I'm not going to speculate.

Lexington, KY:
Do you believe that a properly built, well-maintained dirt track can be a safe surface?

Shapiro:
Absolutely. I also think that the volume of activity is critical to any surface. If the same dirt or synthetic ovals are used day in and day out, and not refreshed, they all will lose their resiliency. The base of every track needs to be good and level, and the cushion needs to provide sufficient protection and bounce for the horses. There are many other factors including composition of the soil, slope, etc, but the answer to your question is yes.

… Portland, OR:
Why not one good state of the art dirt track in California? Say Santa Anita. It seems like it would add something to California racing over the long run.

Shapiro:
I have said repeatedly I am not opposed to a dirt track, so long as it is as safe as possible. The reason our Mandate was a rule, not a law, was to provide flexibility if necessary. We need to keep our minds open always to finding the best possible surfaces for the benefit of everyone.

… Louisville, KY:
… In the best interest of the safety of the horse, if it is determined in the next few years that one form of synthetic track is safer than the others in terms of eliminating more non-catastrophic, race ending injuries, would the CHRB take the next step and mandate that all tracks shift to that particular form of synthetic surface? Why or why not?

Shapiro:
I don’t think we can dictate what vendor should be selected by anyone, that would not be proper for a Governmental agency. However, it there is a component that is found to be unsafe, we could decide, after proper hearings and deliberations, that something should not be permitted. Its kinda like the Jockeys whips, we don’t tell them what brand to buy, but we have lots of rules on how long, fat, and other features they can have.

… Reno, NV:
… Concerning the drainage problem at Santa Anita: Are we to assume that the designers and installers of the cushion were totally unaware of the possible (and now real) drainage problems when you signed on to have it installed?

Shapiro:
This is a difficult question because I am angry over what happened at Santa Anita. Cushion Track assured us the track would be great, they assured us it would drain, and they assured us they would stay on top of the installation and performance of the surface. In my mind, none of that has proven to be true. They are MIA and have been for a long time. It appears they used sand that has silt and clay, which everyone knew was wrong. If they had used the proper sand, I do not believe we would have the problems at Santa Anita.http://www.horseraceinsider.com/blog.php/lines-in-the-sand/comments/they-know-not-what-they-do/#comments (http://www.horseraceinsider.com/blog.php/lines-in-the-sand/comments/they-know-not-what-they-do/#comments)
They Know Not What They Do
By Bill Christine February 22, 2008… The purpose of the meeting was to have an across-the-board discussion of the problematic synthetic racing surfaces in California. Lenny Shulman, an editor at The Blood-Horse who recently spoke on Roger Stein's radio show, referred to the main-track conversions at Hollywood Park, Del Mar, Santa Anita and Golden Gate Fields as a "$40-million boondoggle," but many in the room, including some of the game's most prominent trainers and jockeys, concluded otherwise. There were enough endorsements of Polytrack, Cushion Track and Tapeta to fill a dozen full-page newspaper ads.

Cushion Track at Hollywood Park, that is. Cushion Track at Santa Anita, which has resulted in 11 cancellations this season, has now been whipped into a hybrid of the original stuff and corrections brought in by the Pro-Ride people from Australia. Paul Harper, of beleaguered Cushion Track, sent Richard Shapiro, chairman of the racing board, an e-mail that he would be unable to attend the meeting. Sharpiro, in the tradition of the turf, announced Harper's absence by saying that he was a "late scratch." Late scratch, my eye. I've never met Harper, but he resonates as a smart man. Had he shown up, we would have had the first public hanging in the history of Santa Anita.

… If I were the Breeders' Cup, I would be getting nervous about its scheduled dates at Santa Anita on Oct. 24-25. When the current meet ends, on April 20, Santa Anita is expected to remain open as a training facility for about 2,000 horses while Hollywood Park runs its meet. That could prevent re-doing the main track at Santa Anita until mid-July. The Oak Tree meet at Santa Anita is scheduled to open on Sept. 24. There won't be much of a window for a dry run, and there isn't much margin for error, before the Breeders' Cup is upon Santa Anita. Churchill Downs, I'm told, is standing by.

Frank Stronach, who signs the checks, has reportedly told Charles that he wants dirt redux at Santa Anita. Still on the books is the racing board's mandate that all major thoroughbred tracks in California must use synthetic surfaces as part of their licensing requirements, but the racing board might owe Stronach one. He's already spent more than $10 million--the outlay is probably well north of that by now--trying to do what they forced him to do. Can the racing board now ask struggling Magna--with losses of $350 million in the last three-plus years, and in jeopardy of being deep-sixed from the NASDAQ stock exchange--to spend $10 million more on Pro-Ride, or Tapeta, or Jiffy Lube? I say that they'll have to put a gun to Stronach's head before that happens. And then Stronach would take a chance that it's a gun that isn't loaded.COMMENT
Christine Picavet says:... Synthetic tracks are kinder to horses but how many horsemen are pushing their horses harder because of them? Many horses exhibit visible distress while training to their next race, and with powerful drugs, reckless horsemen, inadequate pre-race exams and too many races to be filled year around, spending millions installing synthetic tracks are akin to buying a new set of tires after running over nails and knowingly running over them again day after day.http://www.californiachronicle.com/articles/52918 (http://www.californiachronicle.com/articles/52918)
YEE: CHRB DISCUSSION ON SYNTHETIC TRACK IS "TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE"
California Political DeskFebruary 19, 2008… A vocal critic of the board´s decision to rush such a mandate prior to careful and full examination, Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) today called the discussion "too little, too late."

… "You don´t conduct a grand experiment at the expense of California taxpayers and the livelihoods of thousands of workers," said Yee. "This discussion at the CHRB is not just a day late and dollar short; it is over a year late and millions of dollars short. Such a special meeting should have happened long before the board mandated the installation of these failing tracks."

… "Unfortunately, the CHRB has not made decisions in the best interests of California horse racing," said Yee. "As a result, 52,000 workers and their families are at risk as this industry flees our state. In addition, our state is losing millions of dollars in necessary revenue at a time when we are forced to slash vital social services for our most vulnerable citizens."

"The country's premiere races, including the Triple Crown and Breeders' Cup, continue to run on dirt tracks," said Yee. "While we are all concerned with the safety of horses, there has been no move to require synthetic surfaces at training centers and fairs where horses train every day in California. The tracks are not holding up to varying weather conditions and the potential health risk on horses and jockeys has not been measured."

… Senator Yee has authored legislation that is pending in the State Assembly for more accountability to the CHRB. Senate Bill 863 will prohibit the seven-member CHRB from being comprised of more than three members who are licensed to participate in the horse racing industry by the board itself. Currently, there are five members of the board who are licensees, all of whom are thoroughbred owners. In recent years, there have been as many as six horse owners on the board.

… The states of New York, New Jersey, Illinois, Texas, and Florida all prohibit their racing board members from having any financial interest in the business. Arizona allows only one member to have a financial interest in the industry and Maryland allows no more than four of its nine board members to own horses. …It's amazing how much Yee sounds like New York politicos Bloomberg and Bruno.

[Murph]

Most conspiracy theories are moronic, BUT Did Stronach botch this job because he was throwing a temper tantrum about being told to install an artificial surface (and not given a casino)? :eek:Hmmm .. insightful comment, Bill

[hibiscus]

I find it interesting that there was apparently no representation by the horse players at the CHRB meeting. Without the wagered dollar there would be no industry however, arguably the most crucial group was no heard.



For a sport that's crying about erosion of public interest, attendance, handle, etc we just continue to shoot ourselves in the foot by making decisions that are not well thought out.



No one seems to mind that championships will be decided two years in a row over a track with a surface which many horses will never have seen before. Any Breeders Cup candidate from the NYRA circuit or the Florida circuit or the Louisiana circuit will likely have run its entire career on dirt. It renders the Breeders Cup, which should be the most prestigious day of North American racing, somewhat insignificant and meaningless. But these important considerations never seem to be acknowledged by the people that run the industry and the media never seems to ask these hard questions.

[Tom]

I vote the none of the poly BC races be used to determine HOY or other awards - dirt only races. This is bush leaque running the so-called championship day on a new, unproved and unreal track surface.

HOY - watch the JCG at Belmont....that's the HOY this year.

[Indulto]

http://www.drf.com/news/article/92541.html (http://www.drf.com/news/article/92541.html)
Return to dirt possible at Santa Anita
By STEVE ANDERSEN 2/25/2008… Charles told the California Horse Racing Board last week that Santa Anita will remove its existing synthetic track later this year, but did not say at the time whether another synthetic track or a dirt surface would be installed. On Sunday, he said the track has not finalized its choice.

… A potential return to dirt racing at Santa Anita has the preliminary support of Richard Shapiro, chairman of the California Horse Racing Board and a major proponent of synthetic tracks.

… Shapiro backed away from that mandate over the weekend, but remained hopeful that Santa Anita would install a different synthetic surface later this year.

"If, at the end of the day, Santa Anita comes forward and said, 'We've looked at the options and we believe for the safety of the horse and rider that we've got a plan to put in a dirt track on top of a good solid base,' and they would put in a track that was safe, personally, I'm not totally opposed to that," he said.

"I think we have to have an open mind. I think what you've seen, the synthetic tracks are successful, but clearly there are bumps in the road. I'm not favoring one or the other. I'm hoping that synthetic tracks are the answers. If there is a better option, I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't listen to everything."

… Shapiro said the installation of a dirt track at Santa Anita would not be approved without input from members of the industry, including trainers and jockeys.

Ed Halpern, executive director of the California Thoroughbred Trainers, said he would be opposed to a move back to a dirt track. …

… "They hold great promise and it would be a shame to turn back now," Halpern said. …http://opinions.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=43804 (http://opinions.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=43804)
Commentary: When Is Diligence Due?
by Dan Liebman February 26, 2008… In hindsight, many of those lost days due to the track’s drainage problems could have been avoided by moving racing to Hollywood Park while Santa Anita figured out its mix of materials that comprise synthetic surfaces.

… Ron Charles stated the Cushion Track will be taken up and replaced by another surface when the meet ends April 20.

“We will be going out and doing a lot more due diligence,” Charles said.

Which makes one wonder about the many months of due diligence done before Cushion Track was installed.

Are the problems at Santa Anita the fault of Cushion Track, …? Or is the mess due to the decision-making process and/or improper maintenance by members of the crew responsible for its day-to-day upkeep?

Perhaps any due diligence should start by trying to answer those questions.

… You can bet representatives of Pro-Ride, Tapeta, and Polytrack are all making their case for being the surface of choice—again. And you can also bet that there are those pushing for another surface—dirt.

… It is Stronach’s belief, as he has said repeatedly, that spending the same dollars on a traditional dirt surface will provide as safe a surface for horses to run on. Looking at the results of the money Santa Anita has spent installing and repairing Cushion Track, Stronach may just be right.

… No one is against improved safety measures, and synthetic surfaces exist because they are believed to be safer for horses and humans.

Perhaps more due diligence is needed, but due diligence is only as good as those performing it.No one has said how much it will cost to re-install sandy loam, if indeed they finally locate sufficient quantities. Who would benefit financially in that case besides transportation companies?

[Spectacular Sid]

I find it interesting that there was apparently no representation by the horse players at the CHRB meeting.

Who the hell do you think YOU are? A paying customer? Who cares what you think?

Just go back under the rock you crawled out from under and wait until post time.

[hibiscus]

http://www.bloodhorse.com/NOW/News/TopNews/43807.aspx
The Bloodhorse

A 13-member New York State Task Force on Retired Race Horses has been appointed to "investigate the feasibility of creating a larger market and alternative employment opportunities for retired race horses, as well as the costs and benefits of installing artificial turf at race courses," according to a release Feb. 25 from state agriculture commissioner Patrick Hooker and New York State Racing and Wagering Board chairman Daniel Hogan.

On the agenda for the task force's first meeting on Friday, Feb. 29 at the Department of Agriculture and Markets’ office in Albany will be a "review the use of retired race horses in alternative fields such as recreational riding, competitive sports other than racing, therapeutic riding and in rehabilitation efforts at correctional and other government facilities" and disucssion of the "feasibility of retraining these horses, work to develop alternative sources of employment for retired race horses, and look into the economics surrounding the installation of artificial turf on race courses to help minimize injuries to both jockeys and horses."


I don't know why we didn't think of this sooner. As a matter of fact, we could just use artificial horses and then there'd be no injuries at all.

[Indulto]

I find it interesting that there was apparently no representation by the horse players at the CHRB meeting. Without the wagered dollar there would be no industry however, arguably the most crucial group was no heard.

For a sport that's crying about erosion of public interest, attendance, handle, etc we just continue to shoot ourselves in the foot by making decisions that are not well thought out.

No one seems to mind that championships will be decided two years in a row over a track with a surface which many horses will never have seen before. Any Breeders Cup candidate from the NYRA circuit or the Florida circuit or the Louisiana circuit will likely have run its entire career on dirt. It renders the Breeders Cup, which should be the most prestigious day of North American racing, somewhat insignificant and meaningless. But these important considerations never seem to be acknowledged by the people that run the industry and the media never seems to ask these hard questions.Did any horseplayers without a press card actually show up?;)

Haven't BC races at CA tracks been dominated by CA horses, anyway? Last time, Mandella had 3 winners by himself!

If the BC goes ahead with its plan and some surface-related complication should occur, it could be Barbaro redux with second-guessing ala the contraversial starting gate reloading.I vote the none of the poly BC races be used to determine HOY or other awards - dirt only races. This is bush leaque running the so-called championship day on a new, unproved and unreal track surface.

HOY - watch the JCG at Belmont....that's the HOY this year.NYRA would be smart to promote the race that way. It would be nice to see national interest focused on days other than the BC and the TC.

Divisional championships are already awarded too often on the strength of a single performance in the BC. The last two years' races were greatly influenced by track conditions; first with the "golden rail" at CD, then with the mud/slop at MTH. Both Classics were won by the deserving HOY, but would Invasor have prevailed without that pre-race "track maintenance?"

The BC is looking a 3rd strike in the eye with an untested surface -- synthetic or dirt.

"Due diligence" should be applied by the BC as well as SA. If the CHRB can modify its position, so can the BC. Bring it back to Belmont, boys. SA will still get it's shot next year. If L.A. money influenced the decision to award successive renewals to the region, then run it at HOL in 2010 as an incentive to keep it open.

[Indulto]

http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/national-news/2008/February/26/CHRB-to-hand-over-necropsy-information.aspx
CHRB to hand over necropsy information
by Pete DenkFebruary 26, 2008The California Horse Racing Board has agreed to pay California horse owner Jerry Jamgotchian $19,440 in attorney’s fees and costs, and a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge has ordered the CHRB to turn over necropsy submission forms for horses that died on California tracks in 2006 and part of '07.

… “I didn’t believe the fatality statistics that were put out by the CHRB website or the new facts [CHRB Equine Medical Director] Rick Arthur [D.V.M.] was stating to be true at recent CHRB board meetings,” Jamgotchian said on Tuesday. “Little did I know the CHRB would fight so hard to keep these reports secret, especially when the CHRB under [Chairman Richard Shapiro] was supposed to be transparent and open. WiWell, they lost in court and have now been ordered to produce them.”

… Arthur defended the data released by the CHRB in its annual report as accurate and consistent. Arthur said necropsy reports should not be made public because in some cases they contain information from private veterinarians.

“[Jamgotchian] should not be getting confidential information that practicing vets have supplied to us. It could give a very chilling effect on our ability to get proper information if people can go out and say, ‘Look what I found,’ ” Arthur said. “These forms may have some implications for breeding decisions, in addition to personal information about how a veterinarian treated a horse.

“Here is a guy who has filed over 100 public records requests against the board and he’s won a couple of cases. He looks for things to find controversy in. It’s really harassment. The fact of the matter is that he has distracted the board, and it’s just a game for him.”

… “It may be there are conflicting statutes on disclosure, but I feel we need to work to be sure these necropsy reports are not precluded from full disclosure, even if it requires a law change,” Harris said. “The board clearly never had an up or down vote on providing the necropsy reports. We relied on the California Attorney General’s office to handle the matter of what to provide.”The guy IS out to get them, but IMO more often than not it's been a good thing when he pulls a "jam-gotcha."