After Spike In Fatalities, Racing At Laurel Park Cancelled Through Dec. 5

In the wake of the news that seven horses have died during racing or training at Laurel Park since Nov. 6, the Maryland Jockey Club released the following statement on Thursday, Dec. 2:

“The Maryland Jockey Club today announced the cancellation of racing at Laurel Park through Sunday, December 5, as work continues to complete repairs to the track and to analyze recent equine injuries. While racing is suspended, the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association and the Maryland Jockey Club are working with industry experts to analyze surface composition and maintenance procedures directed at the safest possible racing surface.

“Until now, and through collaborative measures among industry participants, Maryland racing has experienced the lowest fatality rate in its history. The safety, health and welfare of equine athletes is the primary responsibility of all stakeholders in Maryland and must be taken seriously. The Maryland racing industry remains laser focused on this problem and collectively pledges to do whatever is necessary to ensure that Maryland's historic racing industry remains world-class.”

The Laurel Park main track was replaced earlier this year, closing in April after not responding satisfactorily to wintertime cushion repairs. Racing was moved on an emergency basis to Pimlico while a multi-million project replaced the cushion, base and substructure of the main track. It reopened for racing in September.

Stronach Group, which owns Laurel and Pimlico, has brought in California-based track consultant Dennis Moore to examine the surface. Horsemen have hired former Maryland Jockey Club track superintendent John Passero to offer his perspective.

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Tapeta Installation Begins Monday At Gulfstream Park

The installation of a Tapeta racing surface began Monday at Gulfstream Park.

The third racing surface will be positioned over what is currently the outer third of the turf course. To allow for the installation of the new surface, Gulfstream has cut back beginning this week from a four-day race week to a three-day race week. The Silks simulcasting room will remain open seven days a week.

The Tapeta surface is just one of several projects Gulfstream is working on to enhance the racing and customer experience. Along with the installation of a new all-weather surface, Gulfstream is renovating the drainage system on the inside of the turf course and installing a new infield tote board.

Work on the third racing surface is expected to continue through August. Turf racing will continue throughout the project except for races at five furlongs.

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Leading Horseracing Organizations Partner With UK To Support Research Efforts To Improve Surface Safety

While 2020 has largely seen tracks closed for in-person fans, racing has continued. So have the sustained efforts of a group of tracks and industry organizations that formed a partnership early in the year to collectively support the surface safety research efforts at the University of Kentucky.

Churchill Downs, Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, Keeneland, the New York Racing Association, Inc. and The Stronach Group have pledged resources to bolster this unprecedented research initiative as part of their combined efforts to increase safety and transparency in the sport of horseracing.

The aim of this fund is to improve the safety of horseracing by supporting equine surfaces and safety research under the direction of Mick Peterson, director of equine safety and researcher in the Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering in UK's College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. Peterson joined UK's team in 2016 and is nationally and internationally recognized for a career in track surface safety research and testing. The position of director of equine safety was created this year by the college to support the industry through the continued development of technologies to ensure safety of surfaces for racehorses and all performance horses.

“The UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment is committed to our signature equine industry in all ways. In particular, we are dedicated to all aspects of safety in our sport,” said Nancy Cox, UK vice president for land-grant engagement and college dean. “This gift allows us to do important research to assist Thoroughbred racing and to create a pipeline of experts to serve racetrack safety.”

Since Peterson joined the UK team, much progress has been made in supporting surface safety efforts. In 2019, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association committed $100,000 to transform a large industrial research laboratory located on the UK campus. And during The Jockey Club Round Table in 2019, The Jockey Club committed to supporting the efforts of the Racing Surfaces Testing Laboratory, led by Peterson, and its ability to serve the equine industry.

“The selection and maintenance of racing surfaces has the potential to reduce catastrophic injury rates. Providing a consistent surface also helps trainers and owners make sound decisions for the welfare of their horses,” Peterson said.

Under the direction of Peterson, the lab has been particularly effective at reinforcing the welfare and safety commitment through its central testing laboratory for dirt, turf and synthetic surface materials. To date, testing has included more than 70 different racing and training tracks around the world. Equipment development from the lab includes riding crop design assessment, testing maintenance equipment and performance tests of starting gate and rail padding.

In the industry-supported role of director of equine safety, Peterson will develop a discovery research program and provide contemporary testing capabilities. Part of this vision includes establishing a national and international center of excellence for safety of the equine athlete, training the next generation of equine surface safety experts and collaborating extensively with racetracks. This collaboration will foster translational research by identifying the research and technology needs for the UK Racetrack Safety Program.

Through the support of participating tracks and organizations, Peterson's work will help develop innovative technologies to assess track safety, working collaboratively with veterinarians, biologists and others to develop models for track surfaces that promote optimum safety and performance. This will include maintaining the precision, accuracy, integrity and interpretation of all analytical data to support the industry.

Read more here. 

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