The New York Task Force on Retired Horses assembled a forum that met in Saratoga Springs today.
A panel of horse racing officials and experts discussed the pros and cons of possibly removing the dirt racing surfaces at horse racing tracks in New York and replacing them with polytrack, which just so happens to be the exact mission/vision of this platform.
Funny Cide partner at Sackatoga Stable, Jack Knowlton, is questioning the move with concerns about the potential effects of a polytrack racing surface on the soft tissue in the ankles of horses. He added that trainer Barclay Tagg is also opposed to polytrack on many levels.
I respectfully and strongly disagree.
Last week or so, the California Horse Racing Board banned the use of steroids in thoroughbred racing.
California was already pioneering racing reform efforts from a statewide level when it mandated its tracks to remove all dirt racing surfaces and replace them with polytrack.
I am in absolute support of the exact same effort in New York State. California is a model for making horse racing safer by making safety a top priority. What a concept.
Back to Jack Knowlton. He owns one of the most famous horses ever from New York. Stewart's, the upstate chain of general food and ice cream stores, has a flavor called Funny Cide Pride.
But, to me, it seemed Mr. Knowlton's overall point was that the alleged damage that polytrack can incur would cause a higher number of horses to be retired earlier than usual.
Let's say that NYRA moves to install polytrack and as a result, more horses go into early retirement due to the damaging effects.
Wouldn't that be better than the horses potentially dieing from being injured on dirt surfaces?
My understanding, shared with the state of California Horse Racing Board, is that polytrack is safer than dirt.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Horse Racing Reforms
Kudos, props and fist bumps in the house for the California Horse Racing Board, which has unanimously approved a statewide ban on using steroids in horses. That's what I'm talkin' about. That's how you make it more humane and safer for the athletes. And that should be a top priority if it isn't.
I figure, thoroughbreds are the only athletes in the world that are using steroids without their own consent. The obvious problem is that none of them speak English and therefore they can't object to being injected with performance enhancers.
We all know that athletes don't physically require steroids, but it's all about getting an edge so the people that ride, own, train and care for the horses can make more money.
So, in a time where there's not a unified vision for the safer treatment of the athletes that represent the fiscal livelihood of a beautiful sport, I just want to say thanks to California for leading the way on an obvious choice to finally do the right thing.
Besides, is Big Brown gonna care if he loses half a second going six furlongs because he's not roided up anymore? No. Are horse fans going to become increasingly concerned that their favorite thoroughbreds will gain too much body fat if they get off the juice? Probably not. Are the owners, trainers and jockeys going to miss anything if their horses go clean? Not if all of their competitors are required (thank you CA Racing Board) to do the same thing.
And finally, will the horse racing gamblers of the world be emotionally scarred if steroids are banned in horse racing? The reason the answer is 'no' is because the only thing the gamblers want is to hold the winning tickets.
Trust me on this, I'm one of them.
I figure, thoroughbreds are the only athletes in the world that are using steroids without their own consent. The obvious problem is that none of them speak English and therefore they can't object to being injected with performance enhancers.
We all know that athletes don't physically require steroids, but it's all about getting an edge so the people that ride, own, train and care for the horses can make more money.
So, in a time where there's not a unified vision for the safer treatment of the athletes that represent the fiscal livelihood of a beautiful sport, I just want to say thanks to California for leading the way on an obvious choice to finally do the right thing.
Besides, is Big Brown gonna care if he loses half a second going six furlongs because he's not roided up anymore? No. Are horse fans going to become increasingly concerned that their favorite thoroughbreds will gain too much body fat if they get off the juice? Probably not. Are the owners, trainers and jockeys going to miss anything if their horses go clean? Not if all of their competitors are required (thank you CA Racing Board) to do the same thing.
And finally, will the horse racing gamblers of the world be emotionally scarred if steroids are banned in horse racing? The reason the answer is 'no' is because the only thing the gamblers want is to hold the winning tickets.
Trust me on this, I'm one of them.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Saratoga, Humidity and Steroids
Horse racing in New York will shift from the beautiful Belmont park on Long Island to "the summer place to be" in a land called Saratoga.
Big Brown won't visit 'Toga this summer, but there's sure to be a steady flow of some of the classiest dirt and turf horses out there.
Opening day is 10 days out and the weather in the Capital Region has been improving as it always does this time of year. And as a quasi-native to the area, it's not as humid in upstate New York during August as Rick Dutrow and others are indicating. I recall it typically being mid 80s, sunny and cloudless with low humidity in August, but I only live here so my argument may not be "credible."
Slowly, there seems to be a shift inside the horse racing industry to outlaw or voluntarily discontinue the use of steroids and other performance enhancers. I say this is the best thing going on for the sport right now.
But it's all talk until clearer standards with appropriate penalties are established for the cheaters.
I'll say it: Let's even out the field of play. For real. Actually do it. Come on. Why not?
Is that why Curlin finished 2nd yesterday in the Grade I Man O' War Stakes? Especially amidst this article claiming Curlin, the reigning horse of the year, was given anabolic steroids?
If a champion like this is found to have won his title by using a performance enhancer, what exactly is the makeup of a champion?
Come on, this is the only sport where we should be able to know for sure if the athletes are doping because we're higher on the food chain and we can test their blood without being sued.
Polytrack is a highly visible way to show strides for improving the safety of the sport. Stricter blood testing can improve the morale for everyone.
Mandatory blood tests can not only prevent doping, but they can exonerate trainers from accusations of using illegal methods and/or substances.
Big Brown won't visit 'Toga this summer, but there's sure to be a steady flow of some of the classiest dirt and turf horses out there.
Opening day is 10 days out and the weather in the Capital Region has been improving as it always does this time of year. And as a quasi-native to the area, it's not as humid in upstate New York during August as Rick Dutrow and others are indicating. I recall it typically being mid 80s, sunny and cloudless with low humidity in August, but I only live here so my argument may not be "credible."
Slowly, there seems to be a shift inside the horse racing industry to outlaw or voluntarily discontinue the use of steroids and other performance enhancers. I say this is the best thing going on for the sport right now.
But it's all talk until clearer standards with appropriate penalties are established for the cheaters.
I'll say it: Let's even out the field of play. For real. Actually do it. Come on. Why not?
Is that why Curlin finished 2nd yesterday in the Grade I Man O' War Stakes? Especially amidst this article claiming Curlin, the reigning horse of the year, was given anabolic steroids?
If a champion like this is found to have won his title by using a performance enhancer, what exactly is the makeup of a champion?
Come on, this is the only sport where we should be able to know for sure if the athletes are doping because we're higher on the food chain and we can test their blood without being sued.
Polytrack is a highly visible way to show strides for improving the safety of the sport. Stricter blood testing can improve the morale for everyone.
Mandatory blood tests can not only prevent doping, but they can exonerate trainers from accusations of using illegal methods and/or substances.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Feelin' Saratoga
I don't know how many Saratogas there are in the U.S., but there's only one to me and it's 25 miles north of my house. A straight shot up I-87 to the best horse racing track in North America...and that's coming from someone who's never been to another track, so there.
I think I'll roll up to 'Toga' for opening day on July 23rd blasting Coldplay's "Viva La Vida" because that's exactly what I'll be doing.
For those who haven't been to Saratoga, a lot of what makes it special is its suburban feel, tucked back in a neighborhood where the local residents repurpose their lawns as parking lots for a fee.
Personally, I like to get on Wright Street where it originates because it flows right into the nicest entrance of the park.
I park my car inches from the last person to park there and pay the attendant who wishes my wife and me good luck. She carries her purse and the Times Union while I cart the rolling cooler with lawn chairs resting on its top.
Cars roll by slowly, drivers avoiding the flow of human traffic, contemplating parking prices. You can tell it's going to be hot as you walk down the street, bubbling with hope, knowing that although you have 100 bucks now, there's no way you're going home with that much because it's boom or bust, just like always.
A block from the entrance is where it all starts. You've already noticed women a plenty bearing skin, flashing giant sunglasses, fashionable hats and jewelry while the men puff cigars and project successfulness.
A traffic guard motions us to cross the street. Kids run in between adults up the sidewalk while vendors push kids handicapping picks, ice cold beverages, newspapers and professional handicapper picks, all for a fee of course.
To the right behind a fence are dozens of televisions trucks with satellite dishes. In front is a garden of jockeys holding banners of famous winning horses from various races. You usually see a familiar face or two while waiting to enter, or if nothing else, a few characters. You get tickets for general admission or the clubhouse (for a slightly greater fee) and proceed through the gates.
What makes Saratoga unique is that the horses wait before the race in a paddock that's just 100 feet away from where a large portion of the patrons are seated. And the horses and jockeys access the paddock by walking along a fenced path that cuts through the middle of the grounds, giving fans ample opportunities to get the jockey's autographs.
There's alcohol, pizza, hot dogs, barbeque, ice cream, pretzels and lemonade to be consumed. If you want a great view of the final stretch of a dirt race, go to the rail a few minutes before it starts and claim your territory. It's a rush to see your hourses dueling it out in the final furlong from 10 feet away.
I always profess that upstate New York is an awesome place to be in July and August. The fact that this timetable conincides with the track season is by no means a coincidence.
I think I'll roll up to 'Toga' for opening day on July 23rd blasting Coldplay's "Viva La Vida" because that's exactly what I'll be doing.
For those who haven't been to Saratoga, a lot of what makes it special is its suburban feel, tucked back in a neighborhood where the local residents repurpose their lawns as parking lots for a fee.
Personally, I like to get on Wright Street where it originates because it flows right into the nicest entrance of the park.
I park my car inches from the last person to park there and pay the attendant who wishes my wife and me good luck. She carries her purse and the Times Union while I cart the rolling cooler with lawn chairs resting on its top.
Cars roll by slowly, drivers avoiding the flow of human traffic, contemplating parking prices. You can tell it's going to be hot as you walk down the street, bubbling with hope, knowing that although you have 100 bucks now, there's no way you're going home with that much because it's boom or bust, just like always.
A block from the entrance is where it all starts. You've already noticed women a plenty bearing skin, flashing giant sunglasses, fashionable hats and jewelry while the men puff cigars and project successfulness.
A traffic guard motions us to cross the street. Kids run in between adults up the sidewalk while vendors push kids handicapping picks, ice cold beverages, newspapers and professional handicapper picks, all for a fee of course.
To the right behind a fence are dozens of televisions trucks with satellite dishes. In front is a garden of jockeys holding banners of famous winning horses from various races. You usually see a familiar face or two while waiting to enter, or if nothing else, a few characters. You get tickets for general admission or the clubhouse (for a slightly greater fee) and proceed through the gates.
What makes Saratoga unique is that the horses wait before the race in a paddock that's just 100 feet away from where a large portion of the patrons are seated. And the horses and jockeys access the paddock by walking along a fenced path that cuts through the middle of the grounds, giving fans ample opportunities to get the jockey's autographs.
There's alcohol, pizza, hot dogs, barbeque, ice cream, pretzels and lemonade to be consumed. If you want a great view of the final stretch of a dirt race, go to the rail a few minutes before it starts and claim your territory. It's a rush to see your hourses dueling it out in the final furlong from 10 feet away.
I always profess that upstate New York is an awesome place to be in July and August. The fact that this timetable conincides with the track season is by no means a coincidence.
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