“I think we really, seriously, need to look at more synthetic tracks,” Casse said, triggering yet another cavalcade of commentary on the conceived benefits and blights of synthetic surfaces. “I believe in them. I believe they've got plenty of data to back that up.”

Former TDN writer Lucas Marquardt followed it up with an analysis of race-day fatality data through The Jockey Club's Equine Injury database.

Marquardt calculated how from 2009 through 2022, there were 6,036 fatal injuries from 3,242,505 starts on dirt in North America. That's a rate of 1.86 fatalities per 1000 starts.

On synthetics, there were 534 fatal injuries from 482,169 starts, a rate of 1.11. That's a 68% difference.

“Put another way, had dirt tracks matched the safety of synthetic tracks during that stretch, there would have been 2,437 fewer fatalities,” Marquardt wrote.

The state with arguably the deepest-albeit most contentious-relationship with synthetic surfaces is California, which mandated in 2006 the switch from dirt to synthetic surfaces at its four major tracks.

The state reversed course a few years later in the face of broad dissatisfaction with the decision. It's no easy story to tell, riven by tales of cost-cutting and skirted corners, ill-chosen materials and drainage problems.

Some point the finger, at least in part, at the failure of industry leaders to adequately study the efficacy of different materials before putting the new surfaces down.

Since then, California's relationship with synthetic surfaces has grown even more complicated, thanks to Del Mar's dirt track consistently proving among the most statistically safe nationwide-dirt or synthetic. Nevertheless, Del Mar's experiences haven't been replicated state-wide.

In 2021, California's fatality rate on the dirt (1.51) was more than twice the synthetic rate (0.73), according to Marquardt's calculations. In 2022, it was more than three times larger (1.44 vs. 0.41).

This issue promises to remain a prominent one for the near future. The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority recently announced that it is establishing a blue-ribbon committee to “work toward the study and ultimate introduction of more synthetic surface options in Thoroughbred racing.”

Among a fleet of promises, The Stronach Group (TSG) announced that it intends to replace the dirt training track at Santa Anita with a synthetic alternative.

Given the state's flip-flopping history with different surfaces, the TDN asked several long-time California-based trainers this question: Given the re-ignited debate on synthetics and all its accompanying arguments, should California mandate once again the replacement of its dirt surfaces with synthetics?

Eoin Harty
“Of course. I don't think they should even have to mandate it. I should think that somebody should show some f*&^ing leadership for a change and do the right thing. Instead of looking down, looking up, looking sideways and dancing around the issue, we need to address the elephant in the room: That we're in a position basically brought on by ourselves.”

“I think the time for hand-wringing and regurgitating old cliches about needing more data, more science, blah, blah, blah-that time has come and gone. No more committees, just do the right thing and put down synthetics. It's time to get on the right side of history. There won't be a Mulligan on this one.”

Note: Harty later explained the curse reflected the gravity of the situation.

John Shirreffs
“I like to tell the story of Tiago, who had won the Santa Anita Derby. In his four-year-old year at Del Mar, I had his exercise rider work him a half [mile]. He breaks off the half mile pole, the horse goes a 16th of a mile and pulls himself up, doesn't want to work.”

Trainer John Shirreffs | Benoit

“I tell the rider, 'don't worry, Mike Smith will be here tomorrow. He gets along with him really well.' Break Tiago off again, goes about a 16th of a mile, pulls himself up and refused to work on that synthetic track.”

“After Zenyatta won the G1 Clement Hearst S., she refused to gallop around the [Del Mar] racetrack. She'd go about two thirds of the way around then just stop and refuse to go. The only thing we could do is walk her to the nearest gap and take her off the track.”

“Zenyatta and Tiago were both big, strong horses that really ran hard. Those type of horses really did not like synthetic tracks. I think that if you just look at how long it takes horses to adjust to the synthetic tracks when they first go in, all you do is find horseshoes on the outside of the track because they're all grabbing themselves. Their feet stop so quickly in it. Synthetic tracks only get bearable as they get older. When they first go in, they're really sticky and tough on horses.”

“As you've seen in the statistics in California, our breakdowns are really reduced. So, I don't think synthetics are the answer. Synthetics are a nice alternative. I mean, it'd be great to have a synthetic track here on the training track because you can't use the main track when it's wet. So, maybe they'd let us use a synthetic track when it was wet.”

Richard Mandella
“I think Santa Anita has the right idea to put it on the training track here to learn more about it, and hopefully it will be waterproof to train through the winter. I would take one step at a time.”

Leonard Powell
“I think the option of having a synthetic track to train on is very good. But to mandate to have all racing on synthetic, I don't think that's a necessity.”

“The notion of a bad step has been proven incorrect. We've found out through a lot of studies, when it comes to injuries, it's not a one-day, one-time thing. It's an accumulation of the pounding from the training, day-in, day-out. So, having the option to have a synthetic to train on would help that, and would lessen the number of catastrophic injuries on dirt on race-day. And it could be very useful on rainy days.”

“However, synthetics are always called all-weather tracks. But they're not really all-weather tracks. They're bad-weather tracks-they're good tracks in bad weather. In Europe, they've had problems with them in the summer months, like we had here. When it's hot and sunny, those tracks are not that good.”

John Sadler
“If you put synthetic tracks back in here, you have to have all the tracks in the country on synthetics. You can't go half and half. That doesn't work. You can't train on synthetic and expect to do well on dirt. You can't train on dirt and expect to do well on synthetic.”

John Sadler | Benoit

“If you go back to when we had synthetics in California, I did very well on it. I could live with one surface nationwide. But because I can train on what you give me, it doesn't mean I prefer that. Not necessarily.”

“I would prefer good dirt. I think it's preferable for these horses. Why? Well, for one, they need a lot of upkeep. They need to be replaced. They need to be refreshed. They're expensive to maintain. And anybody that tells you they're not expensive to maintain is–I don't think they're being truthful.”

“There are other arguments. Are there really fewer fatalities [on synthetics]? Stats probably show that. But is that the real number, if you also look at [career ending] injuries? You don't know, right? It's hard for me to just take one study number and say, 'okay, that's all there is.' It doesn't work like that.”

“What I'm trying to say it's very nuanced. You'd have to give time for the breeders to adjust. You'd have to give time for people to purchase the right horses to adjust. A lot of what we did here wasn't well planned out. We did it and then lived with the consequences.”

Carla Gaines
“Let me start by saying I am not that well-educated on the various types of synthetic tracks.  I know there have been improvements on them since they were mandated here in California in 2006.”

“Santa Anita is installing a synthetic surface here on our training track this fall and with the expected increase in rainfall this winter that would give us an alternative place to train the horses when the main track is sealed.  It would also be a nice option for our grass horses as we do not have grass workouts here.”

“But for racing, I would have no interest in it. We as trainers are held responsible for every single injury. The spotlight is on us-rarely the surfaces we train on and race over. Instead of getting rid of dirt tracks, let's keep a closer eye on them, and try very hard to improve them. As one old timer told me once, 'we can put a man on the moon, why can't we figure out dirt?'” 

Doug O'Neill
“I love the fact they're putting it on the training track. At Santa Anita you'll have all three surfaces. And when we get the rainy weather, you can train on a synthetic. If we had weeks of crazy weather, you could potentially run on synthetic.”

“But to replace the main track dirt for synthetic, I would be anti that. Just wouldn't want to replace the dirt.”

“We've had a pretty good sampling with Hollywood Park and Santa Anita and Del Mar all being synthetic at one time. It had its little perks during rainy season. But all in all, not a good experience for me.”

“They're really good in inclement weather, which a lot of the world has, as opposed to Southern California. So, I just don't think they're good for Southern California tracks.”

The post Second Stab At Synthetics In California? The Trainers’ View appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Here's a primer on how each of these jurisdictions adjudicates different offenses, what they make public (or not) and where.

The TDN also posts a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) related rulings from the same week. These include decisions from around the country.

California

Track: Los Alamitos
Date: 09/15/2023
Licensee: Kent Desormeaux, jockey
Penalty: Three-day suspension
Violation: Careless riding
Explainer: Having received notice from the California Horse Racing Board that the appeal of DMTD Ruling #16 (August 3, 2023) has been withdrawn, the original ruling is reinstated. Jockey Kent Desormeaux is suspended for 3 racing days (September 29, 30, and October 1, 2023).

Track: Los Alamitos
Date: 09/15/2023
Licensee: Antonio Fresu, jockey
Penalty: one-day suspension
Violation: Participating in more designated than permitted
Explainer: Jockey Antonio Fresu is suspended for 1 additional suspension day (October 15, 2023) pursuant to California Horse Racing Board rule #1766 (Designated Races – participated in more than one designated race on September 10, 2023).

Track: Los Alamitos
Date: 09/17/2023
Licensee: Armando Aguilar, apprentice jockey
Penalty: Three-day suspension
Violation: Failure to ride mount to the finish
Explainer: Apprentice Jockey Armando Aguilar, who rode Finneus in the ninth race at Los Alamitos Race Course on September 16, 2023, is suspended for 3 racing days (September 30, October 1 & 6, 2023) for violation of California Horse Racing Board rule #1692 (Requirements for Horse, Trainer and Jockey – failure to ride his mount to the finish, costing him a better finish position).

Florida

The following was taken from the ARCI's “recent rulings” webpage.

Track: Gulfstream Park
Date: 09/7/2023
Licensee: Padarath Lutchman, trainer
Penalty: Fifteen-day suspension, $500 fine
Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: Steward's FO # 2023-031317 – F.S. 550.2415 Violation = Clenbuterol. “CORPORATE AFFAIR”

New York

Track: Saratoga
Date: 09/15/2023
Licensee: Robert MacLennan, racing official
Penalty: $2,000 fine
Violation: According to NYRA spokesperson, Pat McKenna, “an inadvertent administrative error during the claims process on September 1 resulted in voided claims.”
Explainer: Racing Official Mr. Robert MacLennan is hereby fined the sum of $2,000 for failing to tend to business in a professional manner necessitating claims to be voided.

Track: Saratoga
Date: 09/17/2023
Licensee: Katherine Davis, jockey
Penalty: Seven-day suspension
Violation: Careless riding
Explainer: For having waived her right to an appeal Jockey Katherine Davis is hereby suspended 7 NYRA racing days inclusive, starting opening day of the Saratoga Race Meet 2024. This for careless riding during the running of the 6th race at Saratoga Racecourse on September 2nd 2023.

Read more on the story here.

NEW HISA/HIWU STEWARDS RULINGS

The following rulings were reported on HISA's “rulings” portal and through the Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit's “pending” and “resolved” cases portals.

This does not include the voided claim rulings which were sent to the TDN directly. Some of these rulings are from prior weeks as they were not reported contemporaneously.

One important note: HISA's whip use limit is restricted to six strikes during a race.

Violations of Crop Rule

Los Alamitos

Adrian Escobedo – violation date Sept 16; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 7 strikes
Hector Berrios – violation date Sept 16; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 7 strikes

Pending ADMC Violations

Date: 08/28/2023
Licensee: Michael Pappada, trainer
Penalty: Provisionally suspended
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Altrenogest—a banned substance—in a sample taken from Runaway Harry, who won at Presque Isle Downs on 8/28/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3212—Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 08/23/2023
Licensee: Dan Blacker, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Acepromazine—Controlled Medications (Class B)—in a sample taken from Miss O'Brien. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 08/20/2023
Licensee: Totaram Rampersaud, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone—Controlled Medications (Class C)—in a sample taken from Jumpster. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 08/16/2023
Licensee: Robert Leaf Jr., trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone—Controlled Medications (Class C)—in a sample taken from Laddie Dance, who won at Delaware Park on 8/16/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 08/16/2023
Licensee: R. McLane Hendricks, trainer
Penalty: Provisionally suspended
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Cocaine—a banned substance—in a sample taken from Princess Javoncia, who won at Penn National on 8/16/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3212—Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers.

Date: 08/14/2023
Licensee: Michael Matz, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: A possible violation of Rule 3314—Use or Attempted Use of a Controlled Medication Substance or a Controlled Medication Method—on the horse, Late Frost. This is also a possible violation of Rule 4222—Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout.

Date: 08/12/2023
Licensee: Joe Toye, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Dexamethasone—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Glimpse of Gold, who won at Emerald Downs on 8/12/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of a Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List Workout).

Date: 08/12/2023
Licensee: Faustino Patino Lopez, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Dexamethasone—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Night to Remember, who finished third at Emerald Downs on 8/12/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of a Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List Workout).

Date: 08/12/2023
Licensee: Leslye Bouchard, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: A possible violation of Rule 3314—Use or Attempted Use of a Controlled Medication Substance or a Controlled Medication Method—on the horse, Tomarie. This is also a possible violation of Rule 4222—Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout.

Date: 07/28/2023
Licensee: John Pimental, trainer
Penalty: Provisionally suspended
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the possible presence or possession of Levothyroxine, a banned substance. This is a possible violation of Rule 3214 (a)—Presence of a Banned Substance or a Banned Method.

Date: 07/18/2023
Licensee: Jason DaCosta, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Gabapentin—Controlled Medications (Class B)—in a sample taken from Poker Partner, who won at Presque Isle Downs on 7/18/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 07/18/2023
Licensee: Jeffrey Englehart, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Methocarbamol—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Mi Tres Por Ciento. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers.

Date: 07/17/2023
Licensee: Jeffrey Englehart, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Graywing, who finished fourth at Finger Lakes on 7/17/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers.

Resolved ADMC Violations

Date: 08/06/2023
Licensee: Cesar De Alba, trainer
Penalty: Disqualification of the Covered Horse's race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points.
Explainer: For the presence of Dexamethasone—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Scary Fast Smile, who finished seventh at Del Mar on 8/6/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of a Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List Workout).

Date: 08/06/2023
Licensee: Antonio Arriaga, trainer
Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points.
Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone—Controlled Medications (Class C)—in a sample taken from Jet Set Juliet. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 08/05/2023
Licensee: Boyd Caster, trainer
Penalty: A fine of $1,500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points.
Explainer: A possible violation of Rule 3314—Use or Attempted Use of a Controlled Medication Substance or a Controlled Medication Method—on the horse, Inside Job. This is also a possible violation of Rule 4222—Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout.

Date: 08/05/2023
Licensee: Boyd Caster, trainer
Penalty: A fine of $1,500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points.
Explainer: A possible violation of Rule 3314—Use or Attempted Use of a Controlled Medication Substance or a Controlled Medication Method—on the horse, Dixieland Quality. This is also a possible violation of Rule 4222—Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout.

Date: 08/04/2023
Licensee: Devarus Douglass, trainer
Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points.
Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone—Controlled Medications (Class C)—in a sample taken from Pickle Feet. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 08/03/2023
Licensee: David Mohan, trainer
Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points.
Explainer: For the presence of Methocarbamol—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Shoot Themessenger. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 08/03/2023
Licensee: Jorge Maravilla, trainer
Penalty: Disqualification of the Covered Horse's race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points.
Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone—Controlled Medications (Class C)—in a sample taken from Brookys Tapit, who finished fifth at Santa Rosa on 8/3/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 07/14/2023
Licensee: Carla Gaines, trainer
Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility, beginning on September 16, 2023; a fine of $1,000; imposition of 2 Penalty Points.
Explainer: For the presence of Acepromazine—Controlled Medications (Class B)—in a sample taken from Summer Lake. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312— Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 07/04/2023
Licensee: Lorenzo Ruiz, trainer
Penalty: 18-month period of Ineligibility, beginning on September 18, 2026; 60-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Horse beginning on August 3, 2023; Disqualification of the Covered Horse's race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $12,500.
Explainer: For the presence of Diisopropylamine—a banned substance—in a sample taken from Kant Beat the Rock, who finished second at Los Alamitos on 7/4/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3212—Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers.

Date: 06/25/2023
Licensee: Brittany Russell, trainer
Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points.
Explainer: For the presence of Dantrolene—Controlled Medications (Class C)—in a sample taken from Late Night Larry. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312— Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 06/25/2023
Licensee: Lorenzo Ruiz, trainer
Penalty: 18-month period of Ineligibility, beginning on March 18, 2025; 60-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Horse beginning on July 13, 2023; Disqualification of the Covered Horse's race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $12,500.
Explainer: For the presence of Diisopropylamine—a banned substance—in a sample taken from American Cat, who finished fifth at Los Alamitos on 6/25/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3212—Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 06/23/2023
Licensee: Lorenzo Ruiz, trainer
Penalty: 18-month period of Ineligibility, beginning on September 18, 2023; 60-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Horse beginning on July 24, 2023; Disqualification of the Covered Horse's race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $12,500.
Explainer: For the presence of Diisopropylamine—a banned substance—in a sample taken from Facts Matter, who won at Los Alamitos on 6/23/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3212—Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers.

Date: 06/19/2023
Licensee: Dick Clark, trainer
Penalty: 18-month period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on January 24, 2031; 60-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Horse, beginning on July 24, 2023; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $12,500.
Explainer: For the presence of Methamphetamine—a banned substance—in a sample taken from My Heart's on Fire, who won at Prairie Meadows on 6/19/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3212—Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers.

Date: 06/18/2023
Licensee: A Ferris Allen III, trainer
Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility, beginning on September 16, 2023; Disqualification of the Covered Horse's race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $1,000; imposition of 2 Penalty Points.
Explainer: For the presence of Acepromazine—Controlled Medications (Class B)—in a sample taken from Musical Cat. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of a Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List Workout).

Date: 06/11/2023
Licensee: Peter Miller, trainer
Penalty: Disqualification of the Covered Horse's race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable).
Explainer: For the presence of Acepromazine—Controlled Medication (Class B)—in samples taken from Forgiving Spirit, who finished second at Santa Anita on 6/11/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List Workout).

Date: 06/04/2023
Licensee: Peter Miller, trainer
Penalty: Disqualification of the Covered Horse's race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable).
Explainer: For the presence of Acepromazine—Controlled Medication (Class B)—in samples taken from Giver Not a Taker, who finished fourth at Santa Anita on 6/4/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List Workout).

Date: 06/04/2023
Licensee: Peter Miller, trainer
Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility, beginning on September 16, 2023; Disqualification of the Covered Horse's race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $1,000; imposition of 2 Penalty Points.
Explainer: For the presence of Acepromazine—Controlled Medication (Class B)—in samples taken from Anmer Hall, who won at Santa Anita on 6/4/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List Workout).

Date: 05/24/2023
Licensee: Mario Dominguez
Penalty: 2-year period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on June 15, 2023; 6-month period of Ineligibility for Covered Horse, beginning on May 24, 2023; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $5,000; and payment of $10,000 in arbitration costs.
Explainer: For the presence of Cobalt Salts—a banned substance—in a sample taken from Petulant Delight, who finished seventh at Parx Racing on 5/24/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3212—Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List Workout).

The post Weekly Stewards and Commissions Rulings, Sept. 12-18 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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“For the safety of everyone involved–our horses, our riders and all the workers, staff and fans–we have made the decision to cancel Sunday's races,” DMTC President and COO Josh Rubinstein said Saturday morning. “Unfortunately, the forecast calls for substantial rain and winds that appear to be headed our way. We are hopeful this will only be a one-day thing for us, but it is a necessary step we feel we have to take.”

It will mark only the second time in the seaside track's 84-year history that a program has been lost to the weather. In 2019, its Thanksgiving Day card was called off ahead of a projected storm.

Many horses at Del Mar are housed in outside pens on the backside, constructed with chain-link fencing and plastic tarps as roofs. These pens are especially susceptible to a heavy rain and wind event.

Trainer John Sadler, who has a couple dozen in outside pens, told the Del Mar notes team that he is planning to move them to empty stalls on the backside or to Los Alamitos. Trainer Carla Gaines also found temporary housing for her dozen or so horses, but George Papaprodromou has several horses he needs to shelter before the arrival of the hurricane Saturday night.

“I'm full, I don't know what to do,” Papaprodromou told the notes team, adding that he was hopeful of finding appropriate accommodations for the horses.

Trainer Dan Blacker also has a dozen or more horses outside, but they are housed in a more sturdy structure, with actual walls not fencing.

“Those roofs, the water runs off of them pretty well,” Blacker says. “It's the more outdoor pens you gotta worry about.”

Sunday's nine-race program was to be highlighted by the Solana Beach S. No word was immediately available on the rescheduling of the race.

Track officials have indicated that no individual make-up day will be scheduled in light of the loss. Instead, the plan is to arrange to work in many of the planned races on different days over the course of coming weeks.

According to a text sent to horsepeople, the main track and training track will be closed both Sunday and Monday, with both ovals expected to re-open to all activity on Tuesday.

Del Mar has a 31-day schedule this year which started Friday, July 21 and goes forward to Sunday, Sept. 10.  Racing is conducted on a Thursday-through-Sunday basis primarily with the addition of an extra card Labor Day Monday, Sept. 4.

Racing will resume at the track next Thursday with a 2 p.m. first post.

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“She's just special,” D'Amato said in the immediate aftermath. “She takes on every challenge we give her and keeps on going.”

This morning, D'Amato said there's no rush to come up with another challenge.

“We don't have any goals in particular in the near future,” D'Amato said. “There's an Oaks at the end of the year, but between now and then, we'll just play it by ear, let her tell us when she's ready to go and then find her a good spot.”

Carla Gaines, trainer of second-place finisher Closing Remarks, said with a laugh that she hoped Going Global's next would be “somewhere else” than against her filly.

“(Closing Remarks') effort was huge, in my opinion, but she got trapped inside and couldn't get out until late,” Gaines said. “We'll see how she comes out of this and go from there. I just wish Going Global would go somewhere else. We can't beat her.”

The Del Mar Oaks was the third runner-up effort behind Going Global for Closing Remarks this year.

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ARCADIA, CA – The Fasig-Tipton Santa Anita 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale returned from its year-long hiatus with a steady, if slimmed down version, Wednesday in Arcadia. A filly by Tiznow brought the auction's top price when selling to Spendthrift Farm for $250,000. The filly was one of eight to sell for six figures during the one-session auction.

“I think we saw today that there is a viable marketplace,” said Fasig-Tipton's President Boyd Browning, Jr. “There were plenty of buyers in attendance at the sale and overall I thought horses sold well and were well received.”

From a catalogue of 115, 68 went through the ring and 53 sold for a gross of $2,981,000. With 15 horses reported not sold, the buy-back rate was 22.1%. The average was $56,245 and the median was $50,000.

With 69 of 108 offered horses sold for a gross of $3,769,500 in 2019, the average was $54,630 and the median was $30,000.

“I'd be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed in the size of the catalogue,” Browning said. “We offered less than 70 horses today and I think, long-term, you have to question the viability of a sale with this number of horses.”

Fasig-Tipton has been stymied by various factors in its attempts to gain traction in the California marketplace. The company conducted its first Santa Anita 2-Year-Olds sale in 2019 against the backdrop of safety concerns and a large number of equine fatalities at the Arcadia track. The 2020 juvenile sale was completely wiped out by the global pandemic.

“We started coming to California in 2019 and obviously the first year we had the racetrack situation at Santa Anita,” Browning said. “They clearly addressed that and made amazing progress on the safety issue, but 2019 was a difficult year to recruit horses under those circumstances. And then you have the COVID year of 2020, so there was no track record to recruit horses, particularly from outside California, to ship here in 2021.”

Browning continued, “I think the California industry has to make a decision whether they want to have a viable sales marketplace or not. We had very little support from the significant California breeders this year. And ultimately, the strength of any sale is based on the quality of product you are able to attract. The local constituents need to make a decision on whether they are going to be supportive of auctions in California or not. We are going to do everything we can in terms of providing customer service and in recruiting buyers and conducting a first-class auction.”

Tiznow Filly to Spendthrift

Trainer Carla Gaines went to $250,000 to acquire a filly by Tiznow on behalf of Spendthrift Farm at the Fasig-Tipton Santa Anita sale Wednesday. Consigned by Pike Racing, the bay juvenile is out of Soot Z (Empire Maker) and is a half-sister to graded winner Amalfi Sunrise (Constitution). She worked a furlong in :10 3/5 during Monday's under-tack show.

“I liked everything about her,” Gaines said after signing the ticket on the youngster. “She is fast. And she has a very strong pedigree, with a good first dam.”

Soot Z, who is a daughter of graded stakes winner Bella Chiarra (Phone Trick), has also produced group placed Gotti (More Than Ready) and stakes placed Senatus (Sky Mesa). The mare, in foal to Into Mischief, sold for $800,000 at the 2019 Fasig-Tipton November sale. Her Tiznow filly, bred by Tolo Thoroughbreds and Art Tanaka, RNA'd for $290,000 as a weanling at that same sale.

Of immediate plans for the filly, Gaines said, “We will probably give her a little time. We are talking about giving her 30 days.”

West Point Strikes for Maclean's Music Filly

A filly by Maclean's Music (hip 65) will be joining the Southern California stable of trainer John Sadler after West Point Thoroughbreds' Terry Finley made a final bid of $155,000 to acquire the youngster at Santa Anita Wednesday.

“She is a beautiful filly,” Finley said. “We liked her when we saw her. And we liked the work [:10 3/5]. Obviously the stallion has gotten very hot–he's probably going to be a top stallion for years to come. We are very excited about her.”

The bay, consigned by McCarthy Bloodstock, is out of the unraced Bauble (Tale of the Cat), who is a half-sister to Grade I winner Persistently (Smoke Glacken). The mare also produced stakes-placed Royal Story (Lemon Drop Kid). Bred by Merriebelle Stable, the juvenile was purchased by Justin Wojczynski for $39,000 at last year's Keeneland September sale.

“She'll go to John Sadler and we will try to get her to the races as soon as possible,” Finley said. “I'll turn that over to John and his team, they do a pretty good job on that. I think there might a shot to make Del Mar, I hope so, if not we'll get her here [at Santa Anita].”

Of the filly's final price, Finley added, “I wasn't quite sure she would bring that kind of money, but she stood out here. We think we have a good prospect, but you have to pay for good prospects.”

West Point, whose California purchases over the years have included Grade I winner Awesome Gem (Awesome Again) and multiple stakes winner and graded placed Galilean (Uncle Mo), bought three horses during Wednesday's auction. The operation acquired a filly by Holy Boss (hip 99) for $110,000 and a colt by Union Jackson (hip 87) for $42,000.

“We are big supporters of Fasig-Tipton and we're big supporters of California racing,” Finley said. “We hope we are here for a long time. It takes time and money to come out here, but to support something you've got to show up.”

Best Pal Could Be on Tap for Bochombo

Bochombo (Street Boss) (hip 20), fresh off a runner-up effort in Sunday's Fasig-Tipton Futurity, could make his next start in graded company after trainer Peter Miller bid $150,000 to acquire the colt on behalf of owner Tom Kagele Wednesday at Santa Anita.

“We will get him down to San Luis Rey and go over him and get a game plan which may include the [Aug. 7 GII] Best Pal S. [at Del Mar],” Miller said.

Miller was taking the 'if you can't beat them, buy them' approach with his bidding Wednesday. Bochombo beat Miller's Bet On Mookie (Uncaptured), who returned with a 5 1/4-length graduation on the turf June 11.

“He beat one of my best 2-year-old who came back to win easily on the garss, so I knew the company that he beat was very solid,” Miller explained of Bochombo's appeal. “That really encouraged me.”

Purchased by Sunset Stables for $15,000 at last year's Keeneland September sale, Bochombo RNA'd for $100,000 at the OBS March sale. He broke his maiden in his second start May 23 for Dan Northrup and trainer Luis Mendez and was second behind the impressive Big City Lights (Mr. Big) in Sunday's Futurity. The colt was consigned to the Santa Anita sale by Havens Bloodstock.

Also Wednesday, Miller purchased a filly by Classic Empire (hip 7) for $35,000.

“I buy the majority of my horses back east, but I think it's important that we have a viable 2-year-old sale in California,” Miller said. “I thought the sale went very well. I thought the quality was up and I thought there were some very nice horses in there.”

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In what shapes up as an outstanding betting race on Kentucky Derby Day, Kaleem Shah's Madone, idle since the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, and Godolphin's graded stakes-placed homebred Javanica also figure prominently in a very deep field.

In a tremendous effort, Closing Remarks, a California-bred filly by Vronsky who is trained by Carla Gaines, saved ground throughout and matched strides with Going Global late to finish second, beaten a neck in the Grade 3 Providencia Stakes at a mile and one eighth on turf at Santa Anita on April 3.  Going Global, who was off as the heavy 3-5 favorite, was free-running turning for home and prevailed in a thriller, after which track announcer Frank Mirahmadi noted, “Closing Remarks could not have run any better.”

The same could have been said regarding Closing Remarks' second place finish in the ungraded China Doll Stakes March 6, a one mile turf affair in which Going Global prevailed by three quarters of a length.

Ridden by Umberto Rispoli in five out of her six starts, Closing Remarks will get the first-time services of Hall of Famer Victor Espinoza on Saturday, as Rispoli has engagements at Churchill Downs.  Out of the Unusual Heat mare Orange Cove, Closing Remarks won the one mile turf California Cup Oaks three starts back on Jan. 16 and she brings an overall mark of 6-2-2-0 to the Senorita party.

Trained by Simon Callaghan, Madone has been idle since running eighth, beaten 5 ½ lengths in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Keeneland Nov. 6.  Perhaps the biggest late threat in the Senorita, Madone was unbeaten in three starts, all at one mile on turf, heading into the Breeders' Cup.

A first-out maiden winner on July 31 at Del Mar, Madone then took the one mile Juvenile Fillies Turf on Sept. 6 and in her final Breeders' Cup prep, rallied powerfully from off the pace to take the ungraded Surfer Girl Stakes at Santa Anita Oct. 4.  Ridden in all four of her starts by Flavien Prat, Madone, a Kentucky-bred filly by the Medaglia d'Oro stallion Vancouver, will be ridden for the first time by Juan Hernandez on Saturday.

Javanica, a one mile maiden turf winner in her second start at Arlington Park on Sept. 18, was a sharp second, beaten a half length, in the Grade 3 Jimmy Durante Stakes at a mile on turf four starts back on Nov. 28 and returns to her preferred surface following a well beaten fourth in the Grade 2 Santa Anita Oaks on dirt April 3.

Trained by Eoin Harty, Javanica was second, beaten a neck two starts back in the El Camino Real Derby on synthetic Tapeta at Golden Gate Fields and rallied to finish second three starts back at Santa Anita in the one mile turf Blue Norther on Dec. 31.

By Medaglia d'Oro, out of Godolphin's Elusive Quality mare Shuruq, Javanica has a win and two seconds from three starts at one mile on turf and is 7-1-4-0 overall.  She'll be ridden for the first time on Saturday by Hall of Famer Kent Desormeaux, who by all accounts, is back to his best in the saddle.

GRADE 3 SENORITA STAKES WITH JOCKEYS & WEIGHTS
IN POST POSITION ORDER

Race 10 of 10   Approximate post time 5:45 p.m. PT

1. Madone—Juan Hernandez—124
2. Jibber Jabber—Geovanni Franco—120
3. Nimbostratus—Tiago Pereira—120
4. Closing Remarks—Victor Espinoza—124
5. Tetragonal—Abel Cedillo—120
6. Golden—Jose Valdivia, Jr.—120
7. Sensible Cat—Tyler Baze—124
8. Stressed—Mario Gutierrez—120
9. Majestic Steps—Ricardo Gonzalez—120
10. Javanica—Kent Desormeaux—120
11. Sweetest Angel—Edwin Maldonado–120

First post time for a 10-race card on Kentucky Derby Day, Saturday is at 12:30 p.m.  Grandstand admission gates open early at 7 a.m. and Infield gates open at 9 a.m.  For additional information, please visit santaanita.com or call (626) 574-RACE.

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Named for the longtime owner/breeder and trainer who passed away this past Sept. 3 at 79, the Leigh Ann Howard Cal Cup Oaks is part of the CTBA's lucrative Golden State Series for eligible California-bred or sired three year old fillies.

Fourth, about two lengths off of longshot leader Super Game at the top of the stretch, Closing Remarks wheeled three-wide and was free-running to the wire as she easily held off the late run of Warrens Candy Girl on the money.

Full of run with nowhere to go turning for home in the Grade 3 Jimmy Durante Stakes going a mile on turf at Del Mar Nov. 28, Closing Remarks, in her fourth career start, was off as the 5-2 second choice in a field of 10 sophomore fillies and paid $7.80, $4.40 and $3.60.

By Vronsky, out of the Unusual Heat mare Orange Cove, Closing Remarks notched her first stakes win and her second win from four overall starts.  With the winner's share of $110,000, she increased her earnings to $149,500.

Far back early, Warrens Candy Girl closed well to prevail by 1 ½ lengths for second over Super Game with Drayden Van Dyke up.  Off at 5-1, Warrens Candy Girl paid $5.60 and $3.80.

Trained by Brian Koriner and ridden by Kent Desormeaux, Super Game made things interesting at 50-1, as she enjoyed a roughly two-length advantage on the winner a furlong out, but tired to finish third by a neck over Dylans Wild Cat and paid $17.60 to show.

Fractions on the race were 22.60, 46.96, 1:11.15 and 1:23.56.

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A little more than five weeks after breaking her maiden at eight furlongs on the Del Mar turf course in her second career start, the 2-year-old daughter of Bluegrass Cat demonstrated Saturday she is equally adept on dirt at the Cypress, Calif., track.

Owned by Irvin Racing Stable and ridden by Juan Hernandez, Sensible Cat, the 9-2 fourth choice in the field of 10 California bred or sired fillies, was reserved off the early pace, rallied outside in the stretch, collared 5-2 favorite Dylans Wild Cat inside the eighth pole and went on to score by 1 ¾ lengths.

Out of the Street Sense mare Sensible Girl, Sensible Cat completed the mile in 1:37.94. She paid $11, $6.20 and $3.60 while increasing her earnings to $89,700.

“I thought it was tremendous,'' said Gaines. “We thought right away she was going to be a horse that wanted two turns. She had some mucus and was coughing this summer at Del Mar, so we missed getting her in a long race there, so we sprinted her once (a sixth-place finish Sept. 7) to get her some experience.

“We couldn't wait to get her going two turns and she responded (a turf victory Nov. 6 at Del Mar). It's nice to know we have the option of grass or dirt with her.''

The stakes success was the second in a span of six days for Hernandez, who used similar off-the-pace tactics to win the Grade 3 Bayakoa with Proud Emma Dec. 6.

“(Gaines) had me watch the replay of her last race and said to ride her that way,'' said Hernandez, the leading rider through the first six days of the meet with eight victories. “She broke well and I wanted to sit off the leaders.

“I wasn't sure if she was going to go by early in the stretch, but when I switched and hit her left-handed, she really responded.''

Governor Goteven, the second choice at 3-1, outfinished Dylans Wild Cat by a half-length for the place. She paid $5.00 and $3.60 while the show price on Dylans Wild Cat was $2.80.

I'm So Anna, Super Game, pacesetter Mucha Woman, Will Take a Kiss, Miss Glorious, Westward Breeze and Love Wins completed the order of finish.

Racing resumes Sunday at Los Alamitos. Post time is 12:30 p.m. Pacific.

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