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No Lasix for Most Santa Anita, Del Mar, Golden Gate Stakes in 2021

Lasix will now be barred through at least 2021 in the vast majority of stakes races at California’s three major commercial tracks–Santa Anita Park, Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, and Golden Gate Fields.

The Lasix ban was part of a revised race-day medication agreement between the Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC) and the managements of those three tracks.

The California Horse Racing Board voted unanimously Dec. 17 to approve the terms of that medication agreement for the upcoming Santa Anita and Golden Gate meets. The Del Mar-specific commission approval will presumably come up for a vote closer to the start of that meet in July.

The agreement also includes language mandating a stand-down period for intra-articular injections, a rule that has been agreed to among the parties and approved by the CHRB since March 2019.

An exception to the no-Lasix rule was written into the agreement that will allow the drug’s usage in California-bred stakes races for 4-year-olds and up, so long as that provision is agreed to in writing by the TOC and the track hosting the stakes race.

In a separate vote, the CHRB unanimously advanced a set of proposed rule amendments that deal with the requirements for horses being on and getting removed from the state veterinarian’s restricted list.

The changes were largely administrative and were proposed for the purpose of bringing the CHRB’s rules into alignment with Assembly Bill 1974, which was signed into law Sept. 29 to “protect and advance the health, safety, welfare, and aftercare of racehorses.”

That new law takes effect Jan. 1, 2021.

Pending a final vote after the public commentary period, one of the key provisions that will be changed in CHRB’s related Rule 1688 will be that, “The official veterinarian may require any horse on the Veterinarian’s List to undergo diagnostic procedures, including, but not limited to, diagnostic imaging, endoscopy, and biological sample analysis as part of their veterinary examination prior to being allowed to train or race…”

The revised version of Rule 1866 goes on to state that the owners of the horse desiring to get off the vet’s list shall “pay all costs associated with the administration of diagnostic imaging.”

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Northern California Icon, Trainer Bob Hess Sr., 86, Dies After Contracting COVID-19

An iconic figure at Golden Gate Fields in Albany, Calif., for five decades, trainer Bob Hess Sr. succumbed to the effects of COVID-19 early Saturday morning at age 86. Consistently among the leaders in Northern California dating back to the 1970s, Hess, who was the father of trainer Bob Hess, Jr., began his training career at Playfair in Spokane, Wash., in the late 1950s, then moved south to Agua Caliente in Tijuana, Mex., in the 1960s and to Bay Meadows and Golden Gate in 1971. He was a highly respected horseman throughout his career.

Initially hospitalized in mid-November with COVID-19 following a test administered by track officials, Hess was subsequently released and then re-admitted when symptoms returned. This heartbreaking news comes just one day after Golden Gate officials announced the continued suspension of live racing through Dec. 25.

“Our hearts and prayers are with the entire Hess family at this time,” said David Duggan, general manager at Golden Gate Fields. “To lose a longtime trainer and friend is simply heartbreaking to our entire horse racing family.”

Hess was born in the Lancaster County, Pa., town of Lititz on Oct. 10, 1934, and moved west to the Pasadena, Calif., area after high school. After serving in the U.S. Army while stationed in Washington state, he found his way to the racetrack, first at Playfair in Spokane and then at Longacres near Seattle. It was when he migrated to Agua Caliente that he met the love of his life, Maria Elena, at a bowling alley across from the racetrack. The two were married for 56 years and had four children, Bob Jr., Howie, Erica and Anna.

Bob Hess Sr. in the Golden Gate winner's circle with No Name Fred and jockey Kent Desormeaux on March 8, 2020

When advised Hess, who spoke fluent Spanish, had passed away Saturday morning, jockey Abel Cedillo was moved to tears.

“When I was riding up north, he was like a second father to me,” said Cedillo, a Guatemalan native who was the leading rider at Del Mar's recently concluded Bing Crosby Meeting. “I had so much respect for him. I'm shocked. I'm going to really miss him.”

Golden Gate Fields' Director of Racing, Patrick Mackey, echoed the sentiments of many in the California racing industry.

“Bob was a wonderful horseman who was always there for his fellow race tracker,” he said. “His stories were legendary. He was a wealth of knowledge and imparted that knowledge to many over the years. He was a great man and his presence here at Golden Gate Fields will be sorely missed.”

Over a distinguished career that saw him saddle 1,592 winners from 10,448 starters, Hess's runners earned more than $17.2 million. His last winner came on Oct. 29 at Golden Gate with the Thoroughbred Just Like Fred and his final starter ran there on Nov. 8. He won with 11 of 80 starters in 2020, with 11 seconds and 15 thirds.

Bob Hess Jr. said his father had a very simple philosophy about life.

“Everything he did was honest,” Hess Jr. said. “He never allowed anyone to make him do what he knew wasn't right. He could look in the mirror and be proud. He would say to me, 'Son, if you don't tell lies, you never have to remember them. Just always tell the truth.'”

Services for Bob Hess, Sr. are pending.

Paulick Report staff contributed to this article.

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No Racing At Golden Gate Fields Until Dec. 26

For the “safety and well-being” of those living or working on site at Golden Gate Fields, the facility will continue its temporary suspension of live racing until the scheduled start of the impending winter meet on Dec. 26, according to a Golden Gate Fields press release Thursday.

Towards the end of last month, racing was suspended at Golden Gate after more than 200 people living or working on-site had tested positive for the virus. The current fall meet was scheduled to end on Dec. 13.

In a separate press release Thursday, the Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC) stated that there has been a “significant improvement in test results” at the facility. David Duggan, Golden Gate general manager and vice president,told the TDN that he was unable to provide a number as to how many positive cases there currently are at the facility.

According to Thursday’s Golden Gate press release, “The track will continue testing until all tests are returned negative and will continue to collaborate and share all testing data with the Berkeley Public Health Division (BPHD).

“All positive cases are overseen by the BPHD or the neighboring public health departments, as appropriate, through their respective case managers. Positive cases are required to isolate as per local health protocols and are not able to return to Golden Gate Fields until health clearance has been provided by the BPHD or the corresponding public health department.”

When asked what the threshold is for the resumption of live racing, Duggan said that “we would like to see very clear evidence via testing that we are in a situation where we’re almost exclusively negative.”

Representatives from the local public health department visited the facility earlier this week, Duggan confirmed. “They’re learning quite a bit about the mechanics of the whole place,” he said. “We’re working very closely with them and talking to them every single day.”

The TOC press release is as follows:

“Golden Gate Fields has been conducting COVID-19 testing of all backstretch workers as required by the health department. Testing to date has shown a significant improvement in test results. There will be continued testing of employees, and resumption of racing will be dependent upon success in the continued reduction or elimination of positive tests. Track management is continuing to work with local health authorities to insure a safe backstretch environment and a safe return to live racing.

“Morning training continues as usual. With regard to backstretch workers, the vast majority of those testing positive have returned to work, and most barns are working with full staffs. Owners with concerns about barn personnel are encouraged to reach out to their trainers for information about their particular situation. In your conversations with your trainers please stress the importance of every barn being 100% COVID compliant at all times,” the statement read.

“Until further notice, owners are not allowed to attend the morning workouts or afternoon racing. We will keep you updated as pertinent information becomes available.”

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COVID-19: Golden Gate Fields To Remain Closed Until Dec. 26

With the continued regard for the safety and well-being of 1/ST RACING employees, those working on the backstretch and the community at large, and in following the best guidance from local health authorities, Golden Gate Fields' leadership has decided to continue its temporary suspension of live racing at the Albany, Calif. track until the scheduled opening day of the winter meet on Dec. 26.

Since the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Golden Gate Fields has implemented stringent health and safety measures including, strict social distancing, masking policies and regular COVID-19 testing with isolation requirements for any positive cases or identified close contacts.

On Nov. 13, Golden Gate Fields announced a one-week temporary closure to address a COVID-19 outbreak that was then extended until Dec. 4. Since then, all track facilities have undergone thorough cleaning and track-wide COVID-19 testing has been administered to all 1/ST RACING employees and to all those who work on the backstretch. The track will continue testing until all tests are returned negative and will continue to collaborate and share all testing data with the Berkeley Public Health Division (BPHD).

All positive cases are overseen by the BPHD or the neighboring public health departments, as appropriate, through their respective case managers. Positive cases are required to isolate as per local health protocols and are not able to return to Golden Gate Fields until health clearance has been provided by the BPHD or the corresponding public health department.

The 1,300 horses stabled onsite will continue to receive the daily care and exercise they require.

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