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Still Awaiting Green Light From Government, Woodbine Targets June 5 For Opening Day

While the Ontario government has yet to lift the COVID-19 stay-at-home order issued on April 8, officials at Woodbine have begun to take the necessary steps to kick off their 2021 live race meeting, targeting June 5 as its anticipated opening day. The 2020 meet began on June 6 after being delayed by the coronavirus pandemic.

The meet was scheduled to begin on April 17 but was delayed due to a spike in COVID-19 cases and the government's lockdown order that shut down virtually all indoor and outdoor activities. The shutdown affected racing, even though Woodbine operated safely in 2020 without fans by enforcing strict COVID-19 protocols. Morning training has continued this spring with essential personnel taking care of the horses stabled at Woodbine. The same personnel would make up the bulk of individuals needed to race in the afternoon.

Operating under the assumption that restrictions will be eased in late May or early June as COVID-19 vaccinations rise and new cases decline, preparations for the opening of live racing are under way to help trainers have their horses and staff ready to go. As such, the first condition book and a revised stakes schedule will be released by Woodbine's racing office on Saturday, May 15.

Woodbine Entertainment CEO Jim Lawson, in a message to horse people, said that, while the company has no assurances from government for a June 5 opening, officials “continue to have positive discussions with the public health authorities” and have requested meetings with the Ministry of Health and Premier's Office.

Track officials now estimate that 75% of essential frontline horse people have received at least their first vaccination dose, with many workers taking advance of a Pop-Up Vaccine Clinic at Woodbine last weekend. They are hoping to be close to 100% by May 31.

“As I have mentioned to media and government officials, I am growing tired of offering hope,” Lawson wrote in his message to horse people. “I would like nothing more than to provide you with the certainty you require and deserve. However, right now we need to remain patient while knowing that we continue to do everything we can to resume live racing in Ontario as soon as possible.”

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Raising The Bar? Hore’s Advisory Role With Baffert ‘Did Not Materialize As Intended’

In November of 2020, trainer Bob Baffert announced that he was retaining Dr. Michael Hore of Hagyard Equine Medical Institute to “add an additional layer of protection to ensure the well-being of horses in my care and rule compliance.”

Hore is based in Lexington, Ky., while Baffert's operation is based in Southern California. Hore is not licensed to practice veterinary medicine in the state of California. The state's database also contains data on expired/inactive licenses, and he does not appear to have ever had a veterinary license there. Veterinarians are permitted to consult on cases without being licensed in the state, but cannot do diagnostics or perform any treatment.

In the wake of this week's announcement that Baffert's trainee Medina Spirit tested positive for betamethasone after winning on the sport's biggest stage in the Kentucky Derby, Dr. Hore told bloodhorse.com that the role with Baffert did not materialize.

“Following some initial discussions with Bob and one of my colleagues last fall—and his announcement regarding new procedures to ensure no further medication issues—our role in those procedures did not materialize as intended, because of travel and other restrictions related to COVID-19. He is based in California, we are based in Kentucky,” Baffert's attorney wrote in an email to bloodhorse.com.

Backstretch traffic at Santa Anita has been restricted throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, including in November 2020, although licensed veterinarians have always been permitted access to see clients. Veterinarians requesting a racetrack veterinarian license must first have a state veterinary license.

Also in Baffert's fall announcement to “raise the bar and set the standard for equine safety and rule compliance,” the Hall of Fame trainer pledged to both increase “the training and awareness of all my employees when it comes to proper protocols,” and to increase his own “oversight and commitment to running a tight ship and being careful that protective measures are in place.”

Yet, on Tuesday, 48 hours after his initial press conference announcing the positive test, Baffert claimed that Medina Spirit's betamethasone positive may have stemmed from the use of a topical ointment called Otomax. Baffert claimed the ointment was prescribed by a veterinarian to treat a skin condition called dermatitis on Medina Spirit's hind end; betamethasone is listed on the Otomax label as a primary ingredient.

Baffert had been the subject of public criticism prior to this week's announcement about Medina Spirit's test, following a series of positive post-race tests for therapeutic drugs in his barn during 2020.

Baffert-trained Chalatan and Gamine both tested positive for lidocaine at Oaklawn Park on May 2, 2020, resulting in a 15-day suspension for the trainer and disqualification of both horses (Gamine from an allowance race and Charlatan from the G1 Arkansas Derby) – sanctions that were ultimately reversed by the Arkansas Racing Commission. Baffert was fined $5,000 instead.

Gamine then tested positive for betamethasone after a third-place finish in the G1 Kentucky Oaks on Sept. 4. She was disqualified and placed last and Baffert was fined $1,500. A fourth positive test came when Merneith was found to have dextrorphan in her system after finishing second in a July 25 allowance race at Del Mar. Baffert received a $2,500 fine for that violation.

Hore is a surgeon at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, which is based in Lexington, Ky. According to Hagyard's website, he specializes in digital radiographs, sales work, lameness, and angular limb deformities and practices in Kentucky, Florida, Maryland, New York, and Europe. Hore is credited with being part of the team that shortlisted Charlatan, Authentic, and Justify for SF Bloodstock. He was also among the veterinarians who signed a settlement agreement with the Kentucky Board of Veterinary Examiners last year after self-reporting for misdating radiographs ahead of public auction.

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Canterbury Park Ready To Welcome More Fans For Racing As 2021 Season Begins

Canterbury Park's 65-day horse racing season will begin Tuesday, May 18 with track officials having high hopes for a more traditional season of racing and promotional activities. Following a 2020 season that started later than usual and offered fewer race days with strict spectator capacity limits below 1,000 due to COVID-19, officials at the Shakopee, Minn. racetrack were encouraged by Gov. Tim Walz' announcement last Thursday that lifts spectator capacity restrictions beginning Memorial Day weekend.

Canterbury will race on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 5 PM as well as Sundays beginning May 30 at 1 PM through Sept. 16. In May, capacity will be 2,500 but will increase in June.

“We are thrilled to be racing and to have more fans in the stands,” Canterbury Park President Randy Sampson said. The announcement by Gov. Walz was welcomed but more sudden than most state entertainment venues like Canterbury had expected. Many are now facing the challenge of staffing to the levels needed to be successful. “Our priority is to provide the quality guest experience that we are known for,” Sampson said. “To do that we will start with 2,500 guests and increase capacity in a responsible and safe way as we onboard more employees. I expect to welcome in excess of 7,500 to 10,000 guests as the summer progresses.”

Canterbury's marketing department made the decision this spring to release its promotional schedule and sell admission tickets month by month as guidance from the state regarding capacity became clear. Events such as Corgi Dog races, Extreme Day, and a fireworks display, which complement a day at the horse races and attract thousands of fans, are now possible and will be added to the schedule throughout the summer.

“Many of our most popular race-day events were just not operationally and financially feasible without knowing how many guests would be allowed,” Vice President of Marketing John Groen said. “We can now schedule those events that bring so much enjoyment to our fans.”

Groen plans to push many of the events to the later months of summer.

The horse racing itself will be at full stride from the start if Tuesday's opening night entries are any indication. The nine-race program drew a total of 86 horses in the body of the races and an additional nine on the also- eligible list. Racing officials expect nearly 1,500 horses to be stabled in the barn area.

Wednesday's program features a pair of $50,000 sprint stakes for horses bred in Minnesota, the Lady Slipper and the 10,000 Lakes Stakes. Hot Shot Kid and Mr. Jagermeister, the all-time leaders in purse earnings by a Minnesota-bred thoroughbred, will meet again in the 10,000 Lakes. In 2020, Hot Shot Kid defeated Mr. Jagermeister by 1 1/2 lengths. Hot Shot Kid, trained by Mac Robertson, has earned $617,961 in a 35-race career, while Mr. Jagermeister, who has started 29 times, has earned $615,434. He is trained by Valorie Lund.

More information and a complete schedule can be found at canterburypark.com. Canterbury officials are recommending that guests purchase admission tickets online for a touchless experience. A discount is offered to encourage advance purchases at: tickets.canterburypark.com.

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Saratoga’s Renovation Of Oklahoma Training Track Now Complete

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) today announced the completion of a major renovation of the Oklahoma Training Track at Saratoga Race Course.

Horses and riders, who were welcomed to jog and gallop over the surface beginning Wednesday morning, were met with a completely reconstructed Oklahoma track featuring a limestone base, renovated surface layer and modernized drainage systems. The training track has been widened by 10-to-14 feet in most areas to address the increasing population of horses training over the Oklahoma annually from April to October.

Additionally, to enhance safety for exercise riders and jockeys, the inner rail at the Oklahoma has been replaced with a rider protection system designed by Horsemen's Track and Equipment.

The work at the Oklahoma mirrors the work performed on the Saratoga main track in 2020, which was universally supported by horsemen and riders. As at the Oklahoma, the main track renovation involved general improvements to the base and surface of the track, as well as a complete overhaul of the drainage system and installation of a new rider safety rail.

“The renovation of the Oklahoma Training Track is an investment in the future of Saratoga Race Course that reflects NYRA's ongoing commitment to safety,” said Glen Kozak, NYRA Senior Vice President for Operations and Capital Projects. “Just like the work done to the main track last year, the Oklahoma will now recover quickly from summer storms resulting in a consistent and high-quality training surface for horses and riders.”

Serving as consultants on the Oklahoma renovation were Dr. Mick Peterson and the Racing Surfaces Testing Laboratory (RSTL), which performed regular testing of the quality and composition of the new surface. As a final step before reopening, Dr. Peterson and the RSTL team inspected the surface and base utilizing ground penetrating radar and the Biomechanical Surface Tester, which replicates loads and speed of a thoroughbred's leading forelimb at gallop.

The team assembled by NYRA to contribute expertise to the renovation
included GRW, the architectural and engineering firm based in Lexington, Kentucky, with deep experience in racetrack design. Michael Depew, a soil scientist and agronomist, provided additional consulting services.

Beginning Monday, May 17, a limited number of owners licensed by the New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC) will be permitted in the barn area and to observe morning training at Saratoga. In order to secure access to the Saratoga property, owners must provide NYRA with proof of completed vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 3 days of the request. Licensed owners who satisfy the vaccination or testing requirement must have a horse stabled at Saratoga in order to access the property.

According to current Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidance, individuals are considered fully vaccinated 14 days or more after receiving the second dose in a two-dose series (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna), or 14 days or more after they have received a single-dose vaccine (Johnson & Johnson / Janssen). NYRA will adhere to the current CDC guidance regarding COVID-19 vaccination standards. Testing and vaccination requirements are subject to change, and will be adjusted accordingly as New York State and CDC guidance evolve.

To secure barn area access, owners can obtain updated credentials by reporting to Gate 21 at Saratoga Race Course with their NYSGC license to provide NYRA security with proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test. Gate 21 will receive owners seeking barn area access Tuesday-Friday between 8 a.m. and noon.

Owners approved to enter the Oklahoma barn area will be required to practice social distancing and to wear a facial covering at all times.

The 40-day summer meet at historic Saratoga Race Course, which will feature 76 stakes worth $21.5 million in total purses, will open on Thursday, July 15, and conclude on Monday, September 6. For additional information, visit NYRA.com.

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