The Toc just e-mailed me this:
Since October, TOC has been monitoring closely developments at Santa Anita relating to the Cushion Track surface, while those who purchased and built the track undertook extensive efforts to remedy drainage and composition-related problems. Based on all of the research and work undertaken, Cushion Track and MEC, and its consultants, concluded there was a solution that would permit the Santa Anita meet to offer racing on a safe track, suitable for racing and training.
Over the past few days, severe storms have drenched the Santa Anita racing surface and, in the process, rendered unsuitable for racing and training purposes the Cushion Track surface, as presently composed. Efforts to correct these problems are ongoing.
By virtue of California law, the California Thoroughbred Trainers (“CTT”) has primary responsibility to represent horsemen as to track surface and safety issues. So far, they have made a wonderful effort to keep TOC leadership apprised of developments and of their views on these matters, and we appreciate that cooperation! Notwithstanding the law, TOC remains involved in the process, and has continued to express our concern for the health and well being of owners’ horses.
Today, January 8th, the CHRB will hold a special meeting to consider granting the industry flexibility to shift racing temporarily to Hollywood Park should that become necessary. TOC will participate in the hearing, and we will advise membership of any significant resulting developments.
While disappointed by the performance of this one Cushion Track surface, TOC remains encouraged by the performance of California’s other engineered surfaces. By nearly all accounts, Golden Gate Field’s Tapeta surface has handled the inclement weather quite well, as has Hollywood Park’s surface, and, while not having been maintained, Del Mar’s Polytrack is reported to be in excellent shape. Those reports confirm what most understood a few weeks ago; Santa Anita’s Cushion Track has so far not performed like the others.
We ask our members to please keep in mind that engineered surfaces represent a huge leap forward in terms of protecting horse and rider. They are and remain a new technology, and with that comes a learning curve. The racing industry is witnessing part of that learning curve, and must accept that fact. We also ask members to recognize that were Santa Anita still operating a dirt track – and ignoring for the moment the increased risk our horses would be exposed to -- the amount of rain that recently fell would have produced nearly identical problems for us all, and in fact caused the cessation of racing Sunday night at Los Alamitos after its 3rd race, on its dirt surface. It is only the advent of these surfaces that has permitted Golden Gate and Hollywood Park to continue operating in such severe weather.
While some have been quick to claim that the problems associated with this one Cushion Track surface somehow confirms that this technology is flawed, we ask our members to take a good look at the facts, and objectively decide for themselves.
· Racing fatalities have been reduced approximately 50% at those tracks installing engineered surfaces.
· In 2004 and 2005, the fatality rate on all traditional surfaces at major race meetings (Bay Meadows, Golden Gate, Hollywood Park, Oak Tree, Del Mar, Santa Anita) combined was 1 fatality per 445 starts.
· In 2007, the fatality rate on tracks with engineered surfaces was 1 fatality per 913 starts.
· Tracks that have installed engineered surfaces have had a marked increase in registered, timed workouts as a result of larger inventories of racing horses, and more healthy horses. For example:
1. Del Mar installed a Polytrack in 2007. In 2006, it had 7,118 workouts during its meet. In 2007, there were 7,900 workouts. An 11% increase.
2. Oak Tree installed a Cushion Track in 2007. In 2006, it had 3,444 workouts during its meet. In 2007, there were 4,340 workouts. A 26% increase.
3. Hollywood Park installed a Cushion Track prior to its 2006 fall meet. In 2005, it had 3,908 workouts, while in 2006 – during the corresponding fall meeting – there were 6,524 registered workouts; a 67% increase.
4. Comparing 2005, the last non-engineered surface year, to 2007, the first all engineered year, there were a total of 16,841 more workouts in 2007; a 63% increase.
· At every race meeting following the installation of an engineered surface, field sizes have increased. In Northern California field size has increased in excess of one additional horse per race.
· At every race meeting following the installation of an engineered surface, all source handle has increased from the prior period, as have purse revenues.
· Both in Southern California and Northern California, new racing stables with hundreds of horses have come to California as a stated result of installing the engineered surfaces.
· According to Blood Horse Magazine (December 8, 2007, page 6979) every track in the country has averaged fewer racing fatalities as a result of engineered surfaces.
· Prior to adopting the installation of the first of these surfaces, the CHRB held 6 public meetings exclusively to discuss, view, analyze, and meet vendors that manufacture engineered surfaces.
· Numerous studies were undertaken by industry stakeholders including health studies, and many stakeholders visited tracks throughout the country and overseas, both Europe and down under, to study the characteristics of these surfaces, including TOC.
· With substantial increases in inventory, workouts, and increased field sizes, injuries will still occur – for various reasons – but have been demonstrated to occur with far less frequency, given the sizeable increase in racing and training related activities.
Overall, these are all extremely positive developments, and are objectively verifiable! In fact, they represent improvements in all of the traditional metrics for racing!
TOC is concerned with the protection of our horses, and the financial success of the business. Moving to engineered surfaces has helped us in getting closer to achieving both objectives, and we believe that – at this time – the situation is simply a short-term challenge that will be resolved.
We will continue to keep membership advised. In the interim, should you have any questions, members are welcome to contact the TOC office.
