NY Horsemen critical of racing surfaces

[Riot]

from blood-horse.com (edited):

Members of the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association voiced their displeasure with the racing surfaces at Saratoga, Belmont Park, and Aqueduct during a meeting Aug. 31, but the New York Racing Association track superintendent later said he stands by the surfaces.

Violette said there has been dissatisfaction among horsemen concerning the job being done by track superintendent John Passero, who has held the position since December 2004. The situation came to a head during the Saratoga meet after numerous complaints by horsemen that the main track, in particular, has been sealed on too many occasions when it wasn’t necessary.

“There are a lot of people who are not happy with the track,” Violette said. “It’s not just here, but at Belmont and Aqueduct. We need to make the track safer. We can’t be treated like children that will go away, and I say this not about Charlie (Hayward) and P.J. (Campo), but frankly, there is a big, big resentment toward John Passero.

Violette said the constant and unnecessary sealing of the track, combined with not enough preparation before training hours to get the surface back to normal, have resulted in numerous injuries to horses during the meet.

“There are a bunch of 2-year-olds you can’t walk for three days after they work because they might have a problem,” he said. “The end result is that we need a safe surface to train on and race on in the afternoon.”

After the meeting, trainer Tom Bush commented that the main track has been dangerously fast.

“Horses are running way too fast; we’ve got track records being broken,” Bush said. “The track is hard because there isn’t enough preparation after repetitive sealing. Horses are suffering from more foot issues--shedding frogs and bruises--and it is because they are being concussed. After all, the message on John Passero’s cell phone is, ‘John Fast Track Passero.’”

[fpsoxfan]

Originally Posted by Riot

from blood-horse.com (edited):

Members of the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association voiced their displeasure with the racing surfaces at Saratoga, Belmont Park, and Aqueduct during a meeting Aug. 31, but the New York Racing Association track superintendent later said he stands by the surfaces.

Violette said there has been dissatisfaction among horsemen concerning the job being done by track superintendent John Passero, who has held the position since December 2004. The situation came to a head during the Saratoga meet after numerous complaints by horsemen that the main track, in particular, has been sealed on too many occasions when it wasn’t necessary.

“There are a lot of people who are not happy with the track,” Violette said. “It’s not just here, but at Belmont and Aqueduct. We need to make the track safer. We can’t be treated like children that will go away, and I say this not about Charlie (Hayward) and P.J. (Campo), but frankly, there is a big, big resentment toward John Passero.

Violette said the constant and unnecessary sealing of the track, combined with not enough preparation before training hours to get the surface back to normal, have resulted in numerous injuries to horses during the meet.

“There are a bunch of 2-year-olds you can’t walk for three days after they work because they might have a problem,” he said. “The end result is that we need a safe surface to train on and race on in the afternoon.”

After the meeting, trainer Tom Bush commented that the main track has been dangerously fast.

“Horses are running way too fast; we’ve got track records being broken,” Bush said. “The track is hard because there isn’t enough preparation after repetitive sealing. Horses are suffering from more foot issues--shedding frogs and bruises--and it is because they are being concussed. After all, the message on John Passero’s cell phone is, ‘John Fast Track Passero.’”

Gee...What a strange thing we are seeing here. This is not a polytrack issue, this is strictly a "let's knock NYRA issue". Timing is everything. With a few days to go before the prick, weasal, rat, governor makes his decision on the future of NY racing, we get this fart stink.

[SniperSB23]

Unreal, isn't Indian Flare (RIP) the only one to break down on the main track all meet? And her issues started in the gate. What a joke for them to make an issue of this. The Del Mar Poly has as many breakdowns as the Saratoga dirt but God forbid they sealed it a couple times when they had a big racing day the next day and the forecast called for rain.

[Kasept]

This isn't a knocking of NYRA. It's a serious problem with Passero who is a hazard that needs to be dispatched. These are legitimate complaints, and some of it came to a head yesterday with the track having been sealed Thursday in anticipation of heavy rain that never arrived. The resultant surface for Friday's racing was a paved highway.

Passero is a farce who is constantly tinkering with the track.. gleefully harrowing the wrong way; scraping and depositing dirt wherever he wants; sealing unnecessarily; watering indiscriminately, etc..

[NoChanceToDance]

Originally Posted by Riot

from blood-horse.com (edited):

Members of the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association voiced their displeasure with the racing surfaces at Saratoga, Belmont Park, and Aqueduct during a meeting Aug. 31, but the New York Racing Association track superintendent later said he stands by the surfaces.

Violette said there has been dissatisfaction among horsemen concerning the job being done by track superintendent John Passero, who has held the position since December 2004. The situation came to a head during the Saratoga meet after numerous complaints by horsemen that the main track, in particular, has been sealed on too many occasions when it wasn’t necessary.

“There are a lot of people who are not happy with the track,” Violette said. “It’s not just here, but at Belmont and Aqueduct. We need to make the track safer. We can’t be treated like children that will go away, and I say this not about Charlie (Hayward) and P.J. (Campo), but frankly, there is a big, big resentment toward John Passero.

Violette said the constant and unnecessary sealing of the track, combined with not enough preparation before training hours to get the surface back to normal, have resulted in numerous injuries to horses during the meet.

“There are a bunch of 2-year-olds you can’t walk for three days after they work because they might have a problem,” he said. “The end result is that we need a safe surface to train on and race on in the afternoon.”

After the meeting, trainer Tom Bush commented that the main track has been dangerously fast.

“Horses are running way too fast; we’ve got track records being broken,” Bush said. “The track is hard because there isn’t enough preparation after repetitive sealing. Horses are suffering from more foot issues--shedding frogs and bruises--and it is because they are being concussed. After all, the message on John Passero’s cell phone is, ‘John Fast Track Passero.’”

This says it all about racing surfaces in America both dirt and synthetic racing surfaces. Not enough work is done with them.

[Antitrust32]

I think it is funny that the trainers do not want to security, aka, the officials looking for cheaters in the barns. He said "there are very few cheaters back there".

Lol I was talking to a groom friend the other day, he said "there are probably only 5 or 6 guys that dont cheat".

[Riot]

How's the Oklahoma? Do the horsemen have the same concerns about the training track?

Syth. training surfaces will if anything, make it more probable that the tracks will eventually go synth. NY holds the key. If NY tracks go synth., the pressure will be on for the rest of the country.

Next few years will be very interesting.

[AeWingnut]

Originally Posted by Kasept

This isn't a knocking of NYRA. It's a serious problem with Passero who is a hazard that needs to be dispatched. These are legitimate complaints, and some of it came to a head yesterday with the track having been sealed Thursday in anticipation of heavy rain that never arrived. The resultant surface for Friday's racing was a paved highway.

Passero is a farce who is constantly tinkering with the track.. gleefully harrowing the wrong way; scraping and depositing dirt wherever he wants; sealing unnecessarily; watering indiscriminately, etc..

almost makes you wonder if he is setting the track up for a horse that he wants to bet with a certain runnng style.

His competition is on the rail.. turn it to quick sand
The competition has an early turn of foot.. groom the surface for a closer...

or if you're clueless seal it every chance you get.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by Antitrust32

I think it is funny that the trainers do not want to security, aka, the officials looking for cheaters in the barns. He said "there are very few cheaters back there".

Lol I was talking to a groom friend the other day, he said "there are probably only 5 or 6 guys that dont cheat".

That's like hearing the Warden is corrupt from the prisoners.

The detention bans are a waste of time and money. They accomplish nothing but to give a false sense of security for those who worry about such things.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by AeWingnut

almost makes you wonder if he is setting the track up for a horse that he wants to bet with a certain runnng style.

His competition is on the rail.. turn it to quick sand
The competition has an early turn of foot.. groom the surface for a closer...

or if you're clueless seal it every chance you get.

Dont give him that much credit. He is just an egotistical jerk.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by Riot

How's the Oklahoma? Do the horsemen have the same concerns about the training track?

It was fine unless they were parking cars on it.

[sumitas]

Originally Posted by Kasept

This isn't a knocking of NYRA. It's a serious problem with Passero who is a hazard that needs to be dispatched. These are legitimate complaints, and some of it came to a head yesterday with the track having been sealed Thursday in anticipation of heavy rain that never arrived. The resultant surface for Friday's racing was a paved highway.

Passero is a farce who is constantly tinkering with the track.. gleefully harrowing the wrong way; scraping and depositing dirt wherever he wants; sealing unnecessarily; watering indiscriminately, etc..

Some serious points from the horsemen and I support DT Stable for their position.

[ddthetide]

Dee Tee Stables saw the track change aug. 5-6. saturday aug 5th, the last 1/8 mile on the rail was quicksand. the feature 8th & 9th races, the rail was paved highway.
sunday morning for Sumwon's race back to quicksand.

[Swale84]

NYRA made a needed change at the starting gate, maybe Passero will go next

[SniperSB23]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

It was fine unless they were parking cars on it.

It boggles my mind that they actually do that. At least two days the entire training track was filled with cars.

[Linny]

Originally Posted by AeWingnut

almost makes you wonder if he is setting the track up for a horse that he wants to bet with a certain runnng style.

His competition is on the rail.. turn it to quick sand
The competition has an early turn of foot.. groom the surface for a closer...

or if you're clueless seal it every chance you get.

A former NYRA trackman was once seen on TV discussing his handicapping and betting. Sorry, the track super should not be permitted to BET.

[docicu3]

Originally Posted by Linny

A former NYRA trackman was once seen on TV discussing his handicapping and betting. Sorry, the track super should not be permitted to BET.

This is a no brainer and in the category of a trainer betting publically against the horse he has in a race.