We had been very fortunate this past winter, here in the great northeast. For those who do not ski or snowmobile, this was a great winter. The same result was also, downstate in the New York area. With year round winter racing by NYRA, the elements have a big effect on the daily racing cards that are raced on their "Inner-track". Since the beginning of the meet in December, there has been a big rise in the number of thoroughbred breakdowns and at a alarming rate. As I write this column, there have been nearly 20 horses that had to be "put down" or euthanized. This is over a 50% increase from the pervious two winter meets. This statistic has gotten the attention of not only race officials, but the office of the governor of New York State.
On Thursday, the New York State Racing and Wagering board announce they were setting up a task force to look into these recent events on the racetrack and the cause that could be creating it. Governor Andrew Cuomo name a team of prominent horse people to investigate, discuss and go over the possible reasons for this trend. Named to the board was; Jerry Bailey, Hall of Fame jockey; Alan Forman, Chairman and CEO of Thoroughbred Horseman's Association; Dr. Scott E. Palmer, Hospital director and staff surgeon at the New Jersey Equine Clinic and Dr. Mary Scollay, medical director for the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission.
The team will evaluate and exam the physical condition of Aqueduct's Inner-Track. Some are claiming the lack of water and moisture during this year's winter months has made the racing surface very hard and unkind to the thoroughbreds traveling over it. What is considered a "safe" racing surface for decades during the winter in New York , has come into scrutiny with the 20 breakdowns and drawn attention of many, both in the industry and outside of it. Also, the four member panel will look at ; the pre-race examination of thoroughbreds, veterinary procedures, the claiming of horses, Equine drug use, Necropsies (Post-Mortem Exams) and public disclosures.
This group's goal is to look over all these conditions and come up with a report to bring light the recent events this winter. The safety and well being of both horses and humans is paramount and the panel will bring forth ideas on improving the overall well being of racing in New York , especially during the winter months. A full report will be presented by the panel and made available to the public with it's findings.
In recent years, there has been a great push for synthetic races throughout the country. In California , two of their three major tracks are of that surface. Turfway Park and Woodbine in Canada are because of the colder weather climate and racing in the fall and winter months. Also, Keeneland in Kentucky and Presque Isle Downs have a polytrack surface. You could say that, the Aqueduct Inner-Track was the forerunner of the synthetic tracks when opened in the mid 70's. But, even this heated-winter track can have problems without adequate water on and in it's make up. With the low horse population and fragile thoroughbreds of today, the year round racing in New York could also come into question. Racing purses in New York have also increase since the opening of Aqueduct's racino next door. So, there are less horses, bigger purses and unusual weather all playing a factor this winter. Hopefully, some questions to these breakdowns will be answered by this blue ribbon panel. The future of winter racing in New York may rely on it.
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