JC / Railbird

Track Notes Archive

Through the Cracks

“Through the cracks, out of sight, out of mind. Not pretty.” That’s how the Lexington Herald-Leader, in a special report, sums up the working conditions backside workers face in Kentucky, where worker’s compensation doesn’t cover every exercise rider, groom, and hotwalker, and where injuries severe enough to warrant an ambulance call occur once a week on average.

Posted in Track Notes on January 23, 2005

Glitches Mar Gulfstream Opening

Gulfstream’s Monday opening ran into problems from the first race (which wasn’t finished) to the last race (which was cancelled). “The Pick 4 turned into a Pick 3, and the Pick 6 was a Pick 5. The jockeys were locked out of their changing room, and officials were trying to unjam the lock on the money room.” Rocks on the racing surface pelted riders, and fans waited in long, long lines to place bets. Monday was the first day of racing at the track since the grandstand was torn down at the end of last year’s meet. The extensive facilities renovations won’t be completed until next year. (Palm Beach Post)
More: “Meet gets off to bumpy start…. Many people were seen heading to the exits after the second race” (Daily Racing Form), and did Mr. Light set a world record in the ninth race? (Thoroughbred Times).
Also: Be sure to check out Gulfstream Park Journal for news and plays.

Posted in Track Notes on January 4, 2005

Union Drive Comes to Naught

“Known as the Fox, [Diego] Sotelo assumed the role of labor agitator in an industry historically unwelcoming to unions. At Santa Anita Park, about 15 miles east of Los Angeles, he threatened a strike by the stable hands — the grooms, hot walkers and exercise riders, known as backstretch workers and hired by the trainers — just before the racing season resumes the morning after Christmas.
“Backstretch workers in California have lived in such squalor that the state, embarrassed by newspaper reports, passed a battery of laws three years ago guaranteeing minimum pay and living standards in an industry to which they did not apply.
“Mr. Sotelo says little has changed.” Unfortunately for him, and California backstretch workers, track security guards put an end to Mr. Sotelo’s union organizing efforts and he has been banned from Santa Anita. (New York Times)

Posted in Track Notes on December 15, 2004

Tampa Transformed

Ten years ago, Tampa Bay Downs was a cheap track without a turf course and little to offer horseplayers. Since then, “The transformation has been remarkable. Someone at Tampa Bay Downs figured out they key to success is to give the horseplayer what he or she wants: grass racing, big fields and competitive races that produce sizeable payoffs. More so than perhaps any track in the country, Tampa Bay Downs offers a nice portion of all three.” The racing at Tampa isn’t the classiest — the track is one of the few places cheap claiming horses from tracks such as Suffolk Downs and Finger Lakes can run during the winter — but players don’t seem to mind. The opening day handle totaled more than $3.1 million. (ESPN)
Related: “Tampa Bay Downs sets records” (St. Petersburg Times)
For Suffolk fans: Those interested in keeping track of Suffolk jockeys and trainers this winter at tracks such as Tampa, Charles Town, and Philadelphia Park should check out the frequently updated Simo-Steam page on the Downs’ web site.

Posted in Track Notes on December 13, 2004