Cushion depth eyed, criticized in Indiana incidents

[Kasept]

Indiana Horsemen Question Safety of Surface
by Kelsey Riley

A string of breakdowns at Indiana Downs from April 19 to 21 has left a jockey hospitalized and raised concern over the safety of the Shelbyville track’s racing surface.

Nelson Arroyo was sent to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana after sustaining injuries when his mount, Cause and Effect, broke down in the stretch of Indiana Downs’ eighth race on April 20. According to agent Brinda Robbins, Arroyo, who sustained a shattered vertebrae and several other injuries to his back and neck, is expected to make a full recovery. Cause and Effect suffered a broken shoulder and was euthanized.

Since its 2010 racing season began April 16, Indiana Downs has seen three breakdowns on three consecutive days. On April 19, 9-year-old Avril broke down shortly after the start of the fifth race, a five and a half furlong dirt test for fillies and mares, and was euthanized after suffering a broken pastern bone. Miracleintown, a 5-year-old son of Leestown, was pulled up in the stretch of the eighth race April 21 and, according to Equibase, was walked off the track.

This series of events has caused horsemen to question the safety of the Indiana Downs dirt surface, which doubles as a Standardbred track. “The surface is always a concern, especially because the track is a Standardbred track as well,” said Robbins. “So the versatility of the track, the conditions of the track are more of a concern, because it’s a Standardbred base, so obviously that’s an issue.”

Tom Scherder, the owner and trainer of Cause and Effect, was outspoken with his views against the Indiana Downs surface, noting its depth and inconsistency. Scherder, who operates the equine rehabilitation facility Pegasus Equine Performance Center in Union, Ky., trains his Thoroughbreds from Pegasus and ships them to various tracks to race.