Posts Tagged ‘california thoroughbred trainers’
Thursday, January 28th, 2010
The California Thoroughbred Trainers took a strong position against synthetic surfaces in a public statement.
This stance came out of the newly formed CTT which was created after an upstart trainers organization agreed to disband. The organization, California Horsemen for Change, came back to the fold after being assured of a special election to replace its board.
Read it at The Thoroughbred Times
Then come back to the Paulick Report and let us know what you think.
- Bradford Cummings
Tags: bradford cummings, california horsemen for change, california thoroughbred trainers, ctt, Paulick Report, thoroughbred times
Posted in California | 13 Comments »
Thursday, January 21st, 2010
By Ray Paulick
Trainers in Northern and Southern California have elected a new board of directors to California Thoroughbred Trainers after the sitting board agreed to resign en masse when confronted by possible decertification last year by a new organization, California Horsemen for Change, started by one-time California Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association leader Darrell Vienna.
Ed Halpern, executive director of the CTT, said the following nine trainers were elected to the new board: Bob Baffert, Jeff Bonde, Gloria Haley, Terry Knight, Doug O’Neill, John Sadler, John Shirreffs, Darrell Vienna, and Kathy Walsh. Bonde, Haley and Knight were elected to represent Northern California, while the remaining six represent Southern California.
Baffert, Bonde, O’Neill, Sadler, Shirreffs, Vienna, and Walsh were listed as supporters of California Horsemen for Change in a letter written to trainers last October. Shirreffs was the only member of the previous CTT board reelected in balloting that took place from early January until Jan. 18.
The new board is scheduled to meet and elect new officers next Wednesday. Jim Cassidy served as the last CTT president.
“I’m hopeful this election will generate a new sense of participation among the membership,” said Halpern.
When the Thoroughbred Owners of California was created 15 years ago, replacing the HBPA in matters such as purse negotiations with racetracks, the CTT was created to deal with backstretch conditions, track safety, and benevolence matters. As California racing’s fortunes have declined in recent years, there has been growing unrest among trainers over a number of issues.
California Horsemen for Change pointed to the following as areas of concern:
- the closing of Fairplex Park to stabling and training due to revenue shortfalls;
- the poor economic state of the racetracks and the uncertainty over the future of Hollywood Park, Santa Anita Park, Golden Gate Fields and Del Mar;
- questions about the safety of synthetic tracks;
- a desire to be more closely engaged with TOC.
(For additional background on the dispute among California trainers, click here to read an earlier Paulick Report article on the issue.)
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Tags: Bob Baffert, california horsemen for change, california thoroughbred trainers, ctt, darrell vienna, doug o'neill, ed halpern, gloria haley, jeff bonde, jim cassidy, john sadler, john shirreffs, Kathy Walsh, Paulick Report, Ray Paulick, terry knight, thoroughbred owners of california, toc
Posted in California, Trainers | 6 Comments »
Wednesday, October 21st, 2009
By Ray Paulick
UPDATED 9 P.M.
(NOTE: Several hours after the following story was published, the Paulick Report received a press release from the group known as California Horsemen for Change in reaction to the email distributed by the California Thoroughbred Trainers to some of its members. Click here to read the press release from California Horsemen for Change.)
The civil war that broke out recently among California trainers has escalated as a result of the following email that warns horseman what could happen if California Thoroughbred Trainers is decertified. A group calling itself California Horsemen for Change is staging a palace revolt to either replace all nine members of the CTT’s current board of directors through a special election or get enough signatures from trainers to have the CTT decertified.
Click here for a previous Paulick Report story providing background on the war between the California trainers and here for a press release from the California Horsemen for Change.
Following is the warning email distributed by the California Thoroughbred Trainers to its members:
WARNING!
An organization has been formed that is attempting to eliminate the CTT. That group plans to ask the CHRB to make it the representative of all the trainers. Be aware that:
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YOUR SUPPORT OF A NEWLY FORMED TRAINER GROUP COULD HAVE SERIOUS NEGATIVE FINANCIAL AND POLITICAL IMPLICATIONS
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WE URGE YOU NOT TO SUPPORT THE ELIMINATION OF THE CTT
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WE URGE YOU NOT TO SIGN ANY PETITION TO DECERTIFY THE CTT
Joining that group or signing a petition to decertify the CTT could have the following consequences:
· IT COULD THREATEN THE CTT / CHSA WORKERS’ COMPENSATION INSURANCE PROGRAM, RESULTING IN HUGE INCREASES IN YOUR PREMIUM
· IT COULD LEAD TO TERMINATION OF THE CURRENT INSURED PENSION PLAN AND REQUIRE THAT YOU BE LIABLE FOR BENEFITS DUE TO YOUR EMPLOYEES UNDER ANY NEW INSURED PLAN
· IT COULD KILL INDUSTRY EFFORTS TO PURCHASE SANTA ANITA AS A HORSEMEN’S NON-PROFIT
· IT COULD PUT AN END TO CURRENT DISCUSSIONS BETWEEN THE CTT AND THE TOC REGARDING UNIFICATION OF THE ORGANIZATIONS
· IT COULD LEAD TO A LOSS OF REPRESENTATION ON THE RACING MEDICATION & TESTING CONSORTIUM (RMTC)
If your desire is to change the management, directors, and direction of the CTT while bringing the industry new leadership, there is a much easier, faster, and sensible way to do so without creating these risks.
WHY COULD A DECERTIFICATION PETITION COST ME MONEY?
Simply put, AIG could refuse to continue with the current workers’ compensation program. This program was built on personal relationships with AIG and trust in the CTT management of the program. The program could not be replaced. There are no other insurers out there that will provide such low-cost coverage. Your only option would be State Fund at three to four times what you are now paying. In the current environment, AIG is being very careful about the way they do business. In July of each year, they are owed $11 million in premiums from the organization. They have faith in the fact that the CTT will make sure they are paid and the program will be managed honestly and efficiently. If they see turmoil and a new group being responsible for the program, they could well decide not to offer coverage. That would cost individual trainers thousands or tens of thousands each month out of their respective pockets.
WHY COULD DECERTIFICATION LEAD TO ME BEING PERSONALLY LIABLE FOR THE PENSION BENEFITS OF MY EMPLOYEES?
When the CTT Backstretch Pension Plan was created, it was allowed to become part of a federal insurance plan that did not require that each employer be individually liable for the benefits due to his/her employees. The rules have since been interpreted to provide that a plan may not obtain federal insurance unless each individual employer is liable for his/her employees’ benefits. Currently, the CTT Plan remains federally insured even though federal administrators have again raised the question of its eligibility. If the CTT were to be disbanded, the regulators could declare the plan ineligible to continue with the individual liability exception that we now enjoy. The Plan would then become uninsured.
By way of information, the Plan under current CTT management has seen its value INCREASE 42% over the past ten years. That increase in value has taken place in spite of the fact that the leading stock market index has actually DECREASED 9.4% in that same period. The current value is approximately $34 million. Approximately 760 people are currently collecting monthly benefitsand there are over 2,400 combined trainers and their employees who are registered to one day collect benefits from the Plan. The success of the CTT Pension fund is due to the dedication of a volunteer management committee that includes three professional money managers. Should a battle break out over decertification of the CTT, those volunteers are unlikely to want to continue to be involved.
WHY WOULD A DECERTIFICATION PROCESS ELIMINATE THE POSSIBILITY OF A HORSEMEN’S NON-PROFIT GROUP OWNING SANTA ANITA?
The people putting together this non-profit group have advised that any turmoil within the industry at this time would make such a project impossible to finance. The investment bankers are not going to put up funds for a project when the industry is involved in a battle over horsemen’s representation.
WHY WOULD THE THREAT OF A NEW TRAINERS GROUP END ANY POSSIBILITY OF CURRENT CTT-TOC UNIFICATION?
One of the major concerns of the TOC in dealing with trainers has always been that certain dissidents would take seats on its Board. The TOC even fashioned rules to prevent that. A takeover movement by the newly formed group would again fuel those fears and cause a breakdown of current talks.
WHY WOULD THE ELIMINATION OF THE CTT AS THE TRAINERS’ REPRESENTATIVE LEAD TO A LOSS OF THE CTT’S DIRECTORS SEAT ON THE RMTC?
The RMTC is the source of almost all new medication rules and penalties in California. The CTT was one of the original members of the RMTC and is on the board of directors of that organization. If a new organization were to become the representative of the California trainers, that seat could be lost. The TOC also holds a seat on that Board and the RMTC Board may feel that no other state has duel seats and, therefore, the TOC is sufficient representation.
THERE ARE SIMPLER, FASTER, AND LESS DEVICIVE WAYS OF MAKING YOUR VOICE HEARD AND CREATING POSITIVE CHANGE IN THE HORSE RACING INDUSTRY.
The CTT is a democratic organization owned equally by YOU and each licensed trainer in California. It has a nine person Board of Directors who are all trainers, with three directors being replaced each year by an election in which each trainer is allowed to vote.
Three directors’ seats will be up for election in less than nine months. Another three directors were elected just 3 months ago, with two of them likely to be appointed by the newly formed group to its board. By electing three new directors of your choice, you can change the make-up and direction of the CTT Board.
Given that option, ask yourself, why would I choose to use a process that requires obtaining signatures from about 1/3 of the membership, approval by the CHRB, followed by a vote of all trainers, and the time and expense of creating and funding a new organization? Why would I choose to risk the resultant damages that are described above? Why would I choose to take sides in such an angry battle that is likely to create acrimony at my workplace for years to come?
Do not support that new organization called the CHC. Do not sign any petition to decertify the CTT. You do have other more effective and less destructive options. To promote change in the industry, become active, call (626-447-2145), email to comments@caltrainers.org, or visit a CTT office and voice your concerns. Volunteer to join or create CTT committees of your choosing.
If you think you might have signed a petition to decertify the CTT and you wish to withdraw your signature, please complete the below and return to the nearest CTT office. You may also fax to the CTT at (626) 446-0270.
I hereby withdraw my name from any petition to decertify the CTT.
__________________________________ _______________
Signature Date
__________________________________
Print Name
WARNING
Tags: california horse racing, California Horse Racing Board, california thoroughbred trainers, ctt, Paulick Report, racing medication and testing consortium, Ray Paulick, thoroughbred owners of california, toc
Posted in California, Industry Organizations | 27 Comments »
Tuesday, October 13th, 2009
By Ray Paulick
The California racing and breeding industry appears to have the stability of a bowl of Jello. Two tracks, Santa Anita Park and Golden Gate Fields, are owned by bankrupt Magna Entertainment and their future is cloudy. Hollywood Park is in the hands of a land developer that already bulldozed Bay Meadows and has similar plans for the Inglewood facility, though when he gets the money to develop the property is anyone’s guess. Del Mar is run by a non-profit association whose contract will soon expire. Training centers are being shut down, farms are closing and the foal crop is sinking. The former head of the California Horse Racing Board pleaded guilty to a crime most often committed by juvenile delinquents. The Thoroughbred Owners of California has been without an executive director for the last several months. And now the state’s Thoroughbred trainers are forming a circle, pulling out their weapons and getting ready to fire.
In a word, it’s a mess.
It’s been more than 15 years since the late Ed Friendly—the Emmy-winning television producer of such shows as “Laugh In” and “Little House on the Prairie”–led a revolt that ejected the Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association from its traditional role representing the state’s owners and trainers and created the Thoroughbred Owners of California. TOC would be responsible for negotiating purse and simulcast contracts with racetracks and represent owners in front of the CHRB and state lawmakers. At the same time, a new group called California Thoroughbred Trainers was formed and certified, and their role was to deal with track management and the CHRB on issues related to backstretch conditions, track safety and benevolence.
Owners in other states have tried similar maneuvers but failed, in part because they lacked a leader with the tenacity and commitment of Ed Friendly and also because they didn’t have a focal point to rally around. For Friendly and his fellow owners, that focal point was a trainer-led boycott of Friday night racing at Hollywood Park in 1992. The trainers didn’t want to race at night, and Friendly said it wasn’t up to them to decide when to race his and his fellow owners’ horses. Friendly persevered and won the fight, getting legislation passed that created TOC and neutered the HBPA.
The two groups have pretty much stuck to the script since then, with TOC representing owners not only in California but on national organizations like the National Thoroughbred Racing Association. CTT has focused mainly on backstretch issues. How well has the arrangement worked? It depends on who you ask.
A group of prominent trainers have become increasingly unhappy with the situation and with the representation they were getting from the CTT. When an general election was held in June for three of the CTT’s board seats, trainer Jim Cassidy, who had served as president for the previous year, was voted off the board. The following month, when the newly seated board met (John Shirreffs, Clifford Sise and Ed Moger were elected in June, joining incumbents Dan Hendricks, Jack Carava, Bill Anton, Gloria Haley and Tim Bellasis), their first order of business was to appoint a replacement for Eoin Harty, who had resigned from the board with one year left on his term. Harty said he was spending an increasing amount of time out of state.
The board voted to replace Harty with Cassidy, who had the fourth-highest number of votes for the three board positions in the June election. After being put back on the board, Cassidy was then re-elected president on the second ballot (three individuals nominated on the first ballot each received three votes, and one of the candidates withdrew his name from consideration prior to the second ballot).
That sequence of events didn’t sit well with the trainers who voted to keep Cassidy off the board in June. Much like the Friday night boycotts motivated owners to form the TOC, the appointment of Cassidy and his subsequent reelection as president galvanized CTT’s critics. They formed an ad hoc group called California Horsemen for Change, and began laying the groundwork in an effort to replace CTT as the organization representing trainers. Members of the California Horsemen for Change and others met with the CTT last Friday (click here for a press release from the California Horsemen for Change), and urged the CTT’s board to vote for a new election to fill all nine board seats. The CTT board agreed, by a 5-4 vote according to a source, but additional changes in the bylaws will be required before they can wipe the slate clean and elect a new board of directors. According to a published report, one CTT member has challenged the legality of the board’s decision to hold a new election.
Interestingly, the trainer said to be behind this new organization is Darrell Vienna, one of the leaders of the Friday night boycott at Hollywood Park in 1992 that led to the HBPA being ousted and the trainers losing much of their clout. According to a source, Vienna, who is one of a number of trainers unhappy with the CHRB’s synthetic surface mandate at California racetracks, spoke up against the synthetic tracks at a CTT meeting earlier this year where the CHRB’s equine medical director, Dr. Rick Arthur, presented statistics comparing equine fatalities on dirt versus synthetics. Vienna “got into it” with Arthur, the source said, demanding to see the data of the study. At that point, Gloria Haley, a CTT board member from Northern California, was said to have reprimanded Vienna, reminding him that he was “guest” at the meeting. The comment apparently infuriated Vienna.
“When we had the vote three months ago I asked Vienna personally to run for the board,” Cassidy told the Paulick Report. “He refused. He said ‘I’m not getting involved.’” It looks as though he’s changed his mind.
Vienna didn’t answer questions when contacted by the Paulick Report, instead deferring them to Chris Knight, a recent law school graduate and son of trainers Chay and Mary Knight who has been brought on as interim executive director of the California Horsemen for Change. Knight downplayed any discord between any individuals within the two organizations or anger with the recent election, instead saying the “CTT and California trainers in general are dissatisfied with California racing. We’ve capitalized on the momentum and will be holding a new general election, having everyone involved.”
Knight said there are a number of critical issues, including:
- the pending closing of Fairplex Park to stabling and training due to revenue shortfalls;
- the poor economic state of the racetracks and the uncertainty over the future of Hollywood Park, Santa Anita Park, Golden Gate Fields and Del Mar;
- questions about the safety of the synthetic tracks;
- a desire to be more closely engaged with TOC (according to sources, there have been recent talks between CTT and TOC to bring the groups closer together).
Cassidy said the individuals within the two groups share common ground in many areas, including a desire for higher purses and greater stability in track ownership. “A lot of them have their own agendas including a change in surfaces, and I understand all that,” he said. ”I tell them we work on what we can. I’m at so many of these meetings that my head spins. I hate to see what’s happening, because people are desperate and angry, but those are the times we are in right now. I feel like the Lone Ranger.
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Tags: california horsemen for change, california thoroughbred trainers, chris knight, ctt, darrell vienna, ed friendly, eoin harty, gloria haley, hbpa, hollywood park boycott, horsemen's benevolent and protective association, jim cassidy, Paulick Report, Ray Paulick, rick arthur, thoroughbred owners of california, toc
Posted in California, Industry Organizations, Synthetic surfaces | 20 Comments »
Thursday, March 5th, 2009
By Ray Paulick
Southern California horsemen who failed to withdraw funds from the paymaster at Santa Anita Park by 1 p.m. (Pacific) Wednesday will be unable to access their money for the next three days while the funds are transferred to a new account managed by the Thoroughbred Owners of California.
Horsemen were notified of that development Wednesday by the California Thoroughbred Trainers organization, as Santa Anita’s parent company, Magna Entertainment, appeared to be preparing to file for federal bankruptcy protection.
“The three day delay is so that new checks can be printed and paperwork can be completed,” the memo from CTT said. “Beginning next week, things will return to normal and you will be able to withdraw funds at your request.”
The memo went on to say the funds will continue to be handled through the paymaster’s office but that the account will be managed by TOC instead of Magna.
Any horsemen with questions should call the CTT office at (626) 447-2145 or the TOC at (626) 574-6620.
UPDATE: TOC also communicated the news to its membership on Wednesday concerning the paymaster account. Following is the text of a memo sent from the TOC to its members:
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"Over the past several days, news reports have circulated suggesting that MEC’s continuing financial difficulties leave open the possibility of an imminent bankruptcy filing.
In order to protect the interests of California Thoroughbred horsemen and women in the event such a filing were to occur, TOC began negotiating with MEC representatives last week for the transfer of horsemen’s funds held in paymaster accounts at Santa Anita and Golden Gate Fields.
We are pleased to advise that appropriate arrangements have been concluded by the parties. Under this agreement, the balance of funds existing in these accounts at the close of business today (2:00 p.m. PST) will be transferred to two segregated accounts, to be held in trust by TOC. This means that checks issued prior to that time will be processed using horsemen’s funds that will remain with MEC until those checks are cashed and clear. As for the balance of funds in horsemen’s accounts at the close of business tomorrow, these funds will be transferred to and held in trust by TOC for the benefit of account holders, subject to audit by the CHRB.
Given the change in custody and control of these two paymaster accounts, TOC anticipates – and therefore apologizes in advance to accountholders for – what could be a 72-hour delay in accessing account funds. The delay is the result of contractual and process changes, the issuance of new checks, and coordination with the paymaster account software vendor. TOC expects all customary paymaster services to be resumed thereafter. In the interim, other than the disbursement of funds, Santa Anita, Golden Gate Fields, and TOC expect all other paymaster services and functions to continue uninterrupted, including the ability to deposit funds and/or the ability to make claims.
We thank you for your understanding and patience while this transition occurs. Please be assured that TOC believes horsemen’s interests will be better served and protected by this effort.
TOC wishes to thank the CHRB for its assistance in this matter, and the management and staff of Golden Gate Fields and Santa Anita, without whose cooperation this prudent and necessary transition would not have occurred."
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Tags: california thoroughbred trainers, ctt, magna bankruptcy, Magna Entertainment, Paulick Report, Ray Paulick, santa anita park, thoroughbred owners of california, toc
Posted in California, Magna Entertainment, santa anita park | 1 Comment »
Monday, September 8th, 2008
By Ray Paulick
John Sadler, the leading trainer at the recent Del Mar meeting whose barn was raided Aug. 18 by California Horse Racing Board investigators amidst allegations of multiple postive tests for anabolic steroids in horses he trains, has taken a "voluntary leave of absence" from his position as president and as a member of the board of directors of the California Thoroughbred Trainers.
In a Sept. 8 email to the Paulick Report, Ed Halpern, executive director of the CTT, confirmed that both Sadler, who in July was elected by the organization’s board of directors as president, "and the board agreed" on the action at an August meeting "because of the controversy surrounding recent revelations by the CHRB."
In addition, Halpern said, Jeff Mullins, a member of the CTT’s board, also agreed to take a voluntary leave of absence
"while current CHRB charges against him are litigated." Jack Carava and Clifford Sise were named as interim directors by the board. Jim Cassidy was named to replace Sadler as president of the organization.
During a phased-in ban on anabolic steroids, the CHRB began testing July 1 without treating positive tests as violations but informing trainers and owners if a horse tested positive. From Aug. 1-Sept. 3, positive tests were to be reported as violations but but penalized. Beginning Sept. 4, penalities are to be meted out on steroid positives. According to Thoroughbred Times, Sadler accounted for 18 of 38 positive tests after testing began.
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Tags: anabolic steroids, California Horse Racing Board, california thoroughbred trainers, CHRB, clifford sise, ctt, Del Mar, ed halpern, Horse Racing, jack carava, jeff mullins, john sadler, Medication, Paulick Report, Ray Paulick
Posted in California, California Horse Racing Board, Medication | 3 Comments »
Friday, August 22nd, 2008
By Ray Paulick
California racing fans who are curious why Del Mar’s leading trainer, John Sadler, reportedly has had 18 horses test positive for steroids since July 1 will have the opportunity to quiz him on the subject during a “Donut Days” promotion at the Southern California seaside racetrack Saturday morning from 8-10 a.m. The program, emceed by track announcer Trevor Denman, promises a “behind-the-scenes look into the world of Thoroughbred racing.” If medication issues come up with questions from the audience, however, it may not be the behind-the-scenes examination the track’s marketing department was looking to promote.
(UPDATE: Sadler scratched from Donuts Days)
 Sadler, with 25 winners from 83 starters at the current meet for a 30% win percentage, will saddle Zappa in Sunday’s Pacific Classic. But he’s been in the news this week following a search of his Del Mar barn by California Horse Racing Board investigators and the disclosure by CHRB executive director Kirk Breed that Sadler’s horses have accounted for 18 of the 38 positive tests among all trainers for anabolics since July 1. Mike Mitchell, who is second behind Sadler in the Del Mar trainer standings, has had 10 horses test positive for anabolic steroids, according to Breed. Those figures were first reported by Thoroughbred Times. A total of 418 tests have been conducted.
Jeff Mullins, third in the trainer standings, is facing a possible suspension and fine after one of his horses exceeded the permitted level for TCO2 (bicarbonates, or milkshaking). The positive occurred while Mullins was on probation for an earlier violation. Doug O’Neill, who is fourth in the trainer standings, was forced to have his horses stabled in a detention barn at the outset of the Del Mar meeting because of an earlier medication charge by the CHRB.
Sadler currently is president of California Thoroughbred Trainers and Mullins is on the organization’s board of directors.
The CHRB’s ban on anabolic steroids was phased in after testing began July 1, with warning letters issued for positive tests during the month of July. Starting Aug. 1, a positive test was to be considered an official violation, with a notation on the trainer’s record and public notification, but no penalties were to be assessed until Sept. 4, when steroids are reclassified from Class 4 to Class 3 drugs. Beginning with races on Sept. 4, steroid positives could result in a fine, suspension and redistribution of the purse.
The CHRB’s chairman, Richard Shapiro, and executive director Breed have admitted with the benefit of hindsight that the phased-in approach was a mistake. On Thursday, the CHRB took an additional step of announcing that any horse administered anabolic steroids on or after Aug. 22 will be placed on the vet’s list for a minimum of 30 days.
A Thursday press release from the CHRB quoted an “obviously angry” Shapiro saying, “We mean business!” after the board’s medical director, Rick Arthur, reported at a Medication Committee meeting that some trainers were still using steroids. The press release also quoted CHRB vice chairman John Harris saying: “We will have no sympathy for any owners or trainers who flaunt our rules.” The meeting occurred the day after the search of Sadler’s barn.
The “Donut Days” promotion takes place at the west end of the grandstand. Other scheduled guests are retired Hall of Fame jockey Eddie Delahoussaye and Jockeys’ Guild representative Darrell Haire.
Donuts are being provided by Yum Yum Donuts.
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Tags: anabolic steroids, California Horse Racing Board, california thoroughbred trainers, CHRB, ctt, darrell haire, Del Mar, donut days, doug o'neill, eddie delahoussaye, jeff mullins, john harris, john sadler, mike mitchell, milkshaking, Paulick Report, Ray Paulick, richard shapiro, rick arthur, steroids ban, tco2, trevor denman
Posted in California, California Horse Racing Board, Medication, Regulatory Issues | 5 Comments »
Tuesday, June 24th, 2008
After all the problems Santa Anita experienced with its Cushion Track synthetic surface this past season, why did track management decide not to go back to a conventional dirt track and instead commit to installing a synthetic surface manufactured by the Australian company Pro-Ride? Aside from the fact the California Horse Racing Board has mandated all major California racetracks use synthetics instead of dirt for their main surface, Santa Anita was merely following the wishes of horsemen who were asked which type of surface they preferred.
The decision by Santa Anita management took on added significance because the Breeders’ Cup world championships will be contested there in both 2008 and 2009, marking the first time the former dirt races will be held over a synthetic racetrack.
In March of this year, Ed Halpern, the executive director of the California Thoroughbred Trainers, sent a letter to Magna executive Frank Stronach and Ron Charles detailing the results of a survey conducted among Santa Anita-based trainers. The Paulick Report obtained a copy of that letter.
The letter begins: “The board of directors of the California Thoroughbred Trainers has asked that I write to request that you take whatever action may be necessary to retain a synthetic surface at Santa Anita. One only needs to look at the facts to support this conclusion. Since the introduction of synthetic surfaces in California, barn areas are now filled, trainers have moved to California from across the country, field size has grown dramatically, injuries are down, and horses are racing more often. Those facts speak loudly and are irrefutable.”
Halpern then outlined the survey, which asked trainers to rate their surface preference five different ways:
-Strongly favor dirt
-Favor dirt
-Neutral
-Favor synthetics
-Strongly favor synthetics
Trainers were contacted personally and could sign their name or respond anonymously. Ninety-two of 115 trainers with horses in training at Santa Anita responded.
To quote further from Halpern’s letter:
“Of all those responding who strongly favored dirt or strongly favored synthetics, 70% strongly favored synthetics.
“Of all those responding who indicated that they either strong favored or just favored dirt or synthetics, 70% favored synthetics.”
Eleven trainers were neutral.
Trainers representing 90% of the horses in training at Santa Anita favor synthetics, according to Halpern. “Hence, there is is overwhelming support for synthetics from trainers who have trained at Santa Anita,” Halpern wrote. “That support exists in spite of the problems that were encountered due to the failure of the Cushion Track product. Trainers favoring synthetics cited numerous reasons for their support. They indicated that their support was based on a significant decrease in injuries, the ability to continue to train and run on a safe and non-sealed surface, even during periods of rain, and the ability to train horses through minor injuries. The latter benefit means significant and substantial savings for owners who no longer need to turn out horses for months before resuming training.”
One month later, the CTT sent a second letter to Stronach and Charles with the results of a survey of trainers based at the Northern California racetrack, Golden Gate Fields, also owned by Magna Entertainment. Golden Gate has a Tapeta Footings synthetic surface.
Here is how those 53 trainers responded:
-Strongly prefer dirt…2
-Prefer dirt…3
-No preference…3
-Favor synthetic…17
-Strongly favor synthetic…28
The opinions of California trainers seem to be supported by statistics obtained by the Paulick Report. At every California track where synthetic surfaces have been installed, the number of fatalities per 1,000 has declined, as follows:
Hollywood Park
Before synthetics, 2.87 per 1,000; after synthetics, 0.97 per 1,000
Del Mar
Before synthetics, 2.47 per 1,000; after synthetics, 0.81
Santa Anita
Before synthetics, 2.81; after synthetics, 1.71
Golden Gate Fields
Before synthetics, 3.90; after synthetics, 2.50
Bay Meadows (did not convert to synthetics)
Conventional dirt, 3.19
Aggregate
Before synthetics, 3.19; after synthetics, 1.37
A national survey of races charting horses that did not finish (DNF) a race due to various factors shows the following percentages on different surfaces:
-Dirt DNFs, 1.10%
-Turf DNFs, 0.94%
-Synthetic DNFs, 0.61%
Numerous training centers have now added synthetic surfaces, as has the OBS sale company in Ocala, Fla.
By Ray Paulick
Copyright ©2008, The Paulick Report
Tags: Breeders' Cup, California Horse Racing Board, california thoroughbred trainers, ed halpern, Frank Stronach, Horse Racing, Magna, Magna Entertainment, obs, Paulick Report, racehorse safety, racing injuries, Ray Paulick, ron charles, Synthetic surfaces
Posted in Breeders' Cup, Horse Welfare, Magna Entertainment, Synthetic surfaces | 1 Comment »
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