Turf Paradise management and the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority have signed an agreement laying out plans to get the track up-to-date with existing national safety regulations. In an order dated Feb. 24, the Authority outlined timelines for needed inspections and repairs, as well as a fee payment schedule by the track.
In January, the Authority had cited the track for non-compliance on Rules 2153 (racing facilities), 2154 (racetrack surface monitoring), 2168 (equine ambulance), 2262 (void claim), 2276 (horseshoes), 2282 (riding crop violations and penalties), and 8520 (non-payment).
The citation alleged that the track was not adhering to the national void claim policy, that there were possible deficiencies in the safety of its track rail and equine ambulance, was not enforcing riding crop violations, and was not checking horseshoes for rule compliance. It also stated that though the track had negotiated a payment plan for its portion of HISA costs in Arizona, it had failed to pay invoices that were sent as requested.
In the Feb. 24 order, the two sides agree that HISA steward Jorge Estrada, along with representatives of the track and The Jockeys' Guild will inspect the rails at the track no later than March 1, identifying areas where panels may have sharp edges and repairing those areas by March 12. Estrada will also inspect the equine ambulance to determine whether it functions safely.
The track acknowledged that it had not been enforcing void claim, riding crop, or horseshoe rules “claiming a lack of authority or contrary instructions from its licensing agency.”
Further, it acknowledged that the federal regulation “shall preempt any provision of state law or regulation with respect to matters within the jurisdiction of the Authority under this chapter. Accordingly, Turf Paradise acknowledges that state laws are preempted with respect to matters on which the FTC has approved and promulgated a final rule.”
Both owner Jerry Simms and general manager Vincent Francia signed the order agreeing to “make reasonable and good faith efforts to advocate to and persuade the state of Arizona to participate in HISA, and to advocate to and persuade the Arizona Division of Racing to allow the enforcement of all the Authority's rules, including but not limited to the Void Claim rule.”
The track was assessed a $5,000 penalty for its prior non-enforcement of the rules, which is due within a week of the order. It also received a new schedule for payment of its 2022 fees, with equal amounts of $51,870.34 due each month, beginning in March.
The full order is available here.
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