Meanwhile, Out West
– The new Pro-Ride surface at Santa Anita is nearing completion and almost ready to test, reports Blood-Horse, and president Ron Charles is (surprise, surprise) feeling positive. “I couldn’t be more optimistic,” said Charles. “Time will tell.” Anything has to be better than the disastrous Cushion Track installation that led to several lost race days last winter when the surface couldn’t drain following heavy rain, a situation for which Santa Anita is suing Cushion Track and affiliates for at least $8.4 million in damages. The defendants filed motions earlier this week seeking dismissal of the lawsuit for a variety of legal reasons:
Defendants Philip Bond and Paul Harper, who admit they are directors of Cushion Track Footing, claim they are residents of the United Kingdom, but merely acted as “agents” in the original Santa Anita deal, and should be dismissed for jurisdictional reasons. Equestrian Surfaces International and Equestrian Surfaces USA, which are described by the plaintiff as “alter ego” companies of Cushion Track Footing, claim in part they were not party to the contract signed for the surface.
Reading that adds some credence to NYRA president Charlie Hayward’s concerns about the thinly-capitalized start-up companies currently selling synthetics, expressed during last month’s forum on all weather surfaces …
– Magnificience worked four furlongs in :46.40 at Del Mar on Wednesday in preparation for the G2 Rancho Bernardo, in which the 4-year-old filly will attempt to redeem her first career loss, suffered in June when she finished second in the A Gleam Handicap at Hollywood. “We got killed with that start,” said assistant trainer Karen Headley. “Hopefully, she comes back.” Sunday will be a big day for the Headleys, win or lose, as the barn is also starting Surf Cat in the Pacific Classic and Arson Squad in the Pat O’Brien. “We’re going into this with high hopes,” said Headley, “[but] by 6 o’clock that night some could be shot down” (Daily Bulletin).
– “The rumor is true,” the NTRA has created a marketing task force comprising a dozen “superfans” and horseplayers (including me) and given us the assignment of developing a plan “to market the sport to a new generation of fans“; a few of the task force members will be going to Vegas to present at the NTRA Marketing Summit next month. Discussion has so far been lively and many ideas have been thrown out to the group, but more are welcome, from everyone. [8/22 Update: There’s a particularly interesting comment thread over on Green but Game, including takeout, racetrack attendance, and fun things to do with technology.]
Sticking With Synthethic
Although Santa Anita president Ron Charles was careful to say no decision had been made to renovate the track’s synthetic surface or install dirt in time for the Breeders’ Cup, owner Frank Stronach strongly hinted the track would keep its synthetic surface for now after meeting with trainers and owners on Sunday, reports the LA Times:
“I personally prefer dirt, but the majority of the horsemen I met with like synthetic. So I figure if we are this far into it, we should give a synthetic track another year or two, then make a change if we need to.”
So, I guess Pyro won’t be running out west this fall.
Addendum: Thanks to fellow blogger David for mentioning Stronach’s Sunday HRTV interview in which he spoke as a breeder and seemed to be leaning towards a new dirt track. More about those comments on View From the Quarter Pole.
Saturday, Fleetheart
Update: Or, Fleetheart might make her 5-year-old debut at Santa Anita on Sunday in the Honest Lady Stakes, a race that comes up considerably tougher with Coco Belle, Unspoken Word, and Salvatica among the entries.
Take note, Fleetheart fans: The mare will make her 5-year-old debut on Saturday in the Bay Meadows Distaff Sprint, her first start since finishing eighth in the Osunitas Handicap last August. That race — won by Kris’ Sis, who finished third by 1 1/4-length in the G2 Buena Vista handicap on Sunday — was Fleetheart’s first defeat, a loss excused by a muscle injury that kept her out of training through the fall. On Saturday, she’ll face six other starters, with A. V. Flynn — equally lightly-raced, fast, and drawn to Fleetheart’s inside — looking like her main competition.
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Jessica Chapel writes and edits in Massachusetts. Railbird is a Thoroughbred horse racing blog published from June 2004 to July 2019. More / Contact
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