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IS THIS THE DEATH OF SYNTHETIC RACING? AND IF SO, WHY? by Lucas Marquardt TWO STEPS BACK? n Memorial Day in 2011, whole grandstand just went quiet,” place since the fall of 2006. And he OThoroughbred owner Bill VDLG&DVQHU³,WZDVDKRUUL¿FLQMXU\´ thought about it when Meydan, built Casner sat in his box at Lone Star with a Tapeta surface, announced Park, enjoying a typically sunny $VFUHHQZDVHUHFWHGDQG,FHODLQ in May that it was going to dirt. Dallas day and awaiting the track’s Diva was euthanized. “As an industry, we’re in desperate signature events, the Lone Star The crowd, said Casner, began to times right now,” he said. “We’re Derby and Lone Star Handicap. WKLQLPPHGLDWHO\³,ZHQWGRZQVWDLUV trying to survive, and public opinion The Derby was just a race away to one of the exits, and despite can change very quickly. We saw when, in a minor stakes on the the fact the two biggest races it a little with the PETA videos, and PDLQ WUDFN D ¿OO\ QDPHG ,FHODLQ were coming up, people were just it hasn’t really gone mainstream. Diva broke down at the eighth pouring out in droves,” he said. When it does, it will be an ugly pole. The tiring 3-year-old had set “People were silent, a few people aftermath.” the pace and was battling to hold were crying. They were just leaving on for show when her left foreleg in disgust.” Casner belongs to a group that has two important questions JDYHRXW,FHODLQ'LYDGLGQ¶WIDOOEXW Three years on, and Casner regarding the synthetic revolution, MRFNH\ /LQGH\ :DGH ZKR DW ¿UVW thinks about that day often. He which swept North American racing tried to stay aboard, was forced to thought about in February, when he in the mid-2000s and which, at jump off and roll under the rail to learned that Del Mar was tearing its high point, saw nine tracks avoid the horses behind him. Wade out its synthetic Polytrack and, after competing on all-weather surfaces. walked away with minor injuries. six years, returning to conventional Why is it viewed as a failure? And ,FHODLQ'LYDZKRFRQWLQXHGOXUFKLQJ dirt. He thought about it when he will the decision to move away toward the wire, wasn’t as lucky. heard in early April that Keeneland from synthetics come back to “She came in on three legs, and the was replacing its Polytrack, too, in haunt racing?

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Is This the Death of Synthetic Racing? August 2014 | 1 Bad Press & the Welfare of Table Conference, representatives the Horse... of the company reported that, from the previous decade, handle was The video Bill Casner referenced, down 37% and attendance down an undercover production released 30%. They projected racing would by the animal-rights group People lose fans at a rate of 4% per year, for the Ethical Treatment of meaning there would be a third Animals, was the latest black eye fewer fans in 2020 than in 2010. for racing. PETA claimed it showed trainer Steve Asmussen and his One of the major causes of the employees, namely assistant decline, according to McKinsey, Scott Blasi, engaging in conduct was brand perception. “Only 22% that was detrimental to horses in of the general public has a positive Asmussen’s care. The video drew impression of racing,” national attention. The New York said McKinsey’s Dan Singer. “What Times, a day after its release, did was even more stark and surprising a feature, and NBC and HBO both Bill Casner p: Horsephotos was only 46% of racing fans would interviewed Asmussen, recommend the sport to who pointed out the video others.” showed no actual rule “The American public violations and that it was Casner, like many edited in such a way as others, believes racing’s to paint a dark a picture is going to hold us s image problem boils as possible of a stable that, he said, stresses accountable on every down to one central equine FDUH¿UVW issue--horse welfare-- and that if the problem Regardless, it was aspect of our business. isn’t adequately another negative story addressed, racing will about racing, which in the Certainly the welfare and only continue to decline past decade has battled in popularity. a steady stream of them. safety of our horses is There were the prominent “The American public breakdowns of Eight is going to hold us Belles in the going to be the accountable on every Derby and Barbaro in aspect of our business,” the Preakness Stakes. number-one thing.” he said. “Certainly the ,Q WKH ODVW  HGLWLRQV welfare and safety of our of the Breeders’ Cup, there have been at least --Bill Casner horses is going to be the number-one thing.” ¿YH IDWDO EUHDNGRZQV “Death and Disarray at America’s )XQIDLU *%  3LQH ,VODQG *HRUJH Racetracks” took aim at what they :DVKLQJWRQ ,UH  5RXJK 6DLOLQJ viewed as racing’s dangerously lax One Step Forward... and Secret Compass, while several oversight of medication use. others, including Centralinteligence, There has been some progress )OHHW ,QGLDQ DQG $ 8 0LQHU During this time, the industry in horse welfare in recent years. suffered fractures in Breeders’ Cup became increasingly aware of its At least 13 states have committed races (the latter two career-ending) image problem, and the effect it WRWKH1DWLRQDO8QLIRUP0HGLFDWLRQ and were vanned off. KDGRQDWWUDFWLQJQHZIDQV,Q Program, and some jurisdictions have shown an increased A spike of on-track deaths at The Jockey Club asked McKinsey Aqueduct led New York Governor & Company to analyze racing’s willingness to take on habitual Andrew Cuomo to personally order an economics for the next 10 years offenders. New York, for instance, investigation of track practices in 2012, and to “recommend initiatives that handed trainer Richard Dutrow, the same year a Times series by Joe could improve the outlook of the Jr. a 10-year suspension for a Drape and Walt Bogdanich entitled sport.” At that summer’s Round series of medication violations.

Is This the Death of Synthetic Racing? August 2014 | 2 Last fall, federal investigators based SODQN RI KRUVH ZHOIDUH RQWUDFN to Bill Finley’s book “Handicapping in Pennsylvania arrested three catastrophic fatalities, and in Synthetic Surfaces,” 24 horses trainers--including David Wells, the particular, their relation to track died in a six-month stretch from conditioner of the record-breaking surfaces. The Jockey Club’s November, 2004 through the spring 5DSLG 5HGX[IRU DWWHPSWLQJ WR ¿[ annual Round Table Conference, meet of 2005. horse races by administering illegal for instance, included segments on raceday medications. Hoping to track safety and equine fatalities ,Q DGGLWLRQ WR WKH ORVV RI HTXLQH life, the economic consequences make it harder for potential rule in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009, but for owners and trainers, and breakers, Frank Stronach’s The received virtually no mention in four of the last f years. Medication the considerable health risks for Stronach Group announced a plan ive regulation has instead received the jockeys, these breakdowns were in mid-April in to institute an in-house lion’s share of attention. a public relations nightmare for pharmacy to dispense medication racing. How could the sport project at Stronach-owned tracks. By contrast, breakdown rates itself as family friendly, or as hip and dominated the conversation in trendy, against such a backdrop? Another component of horse national racing circles in the The deaths of Barbaro and Eight welfare--Thoroughbred aftercare-- mid-2000s. Before switching to Belles, in particular, ensured the has also gained steam in recent Polytrack, Del Mar’s breakdown rate national media would judge racing’s years. Retirement organizations had become such a concern that a response. like the Thoroughbred Aftercare local paper began running a tally Alliance, for instance, help fund of the horses that were euthanized ,Q VZHSW V\QWKHWLF WUDFNV other organizations that retrain there--8 on the main track, 7 Beginning with Turfway Park in ex-racehorses for second careers RQ WKH WXUI LQ  ,Q &KLFDJR 2005, nine tracks in North America or provide them with permanent the same year, Arlington Park converted to synthetic surfaces, retirement. saw 22 horses put down from including four in California--Del Mar, catastrophic injuries, including 11 Hollywood, Santa Anita and Golden But some argue that the industry in one particularly deadly three- Gate--that were mandated by the has lost focus of a third major week stretch. At Turfway, according California Board.

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Is This the Death of Synthetic Racing? August 2014 | 3 Covering the years 2009-13, the These days, many are happy to results show that synthetics were bid adieu to Keeneland’s and Del not only consistently safer than Mar’s surfaces, just as they were dirt, but also safer than turf, with happy to say goodbye to Santa a fatality rate of 1.22 per 1,000 Anita’s synthetic track back in 2010, starts (289 deaths from 236,167 when it converted from its Pro-Ride starts). On turf, the rate was 1.63 VXUIDFHEDFNWRFRQYHQWLRQDOGLUW,Q (411 deaths from 251,665 starts), a Daily Racing Form opinion piece while on dirt, it was 2.08 (2,882 from this spring, Andrew Beyer called the move to install synthetics, 1,383,690 starts). “ill-considered, hasty, and a bit One of the other takeaways from arrogant. A small number of the p: UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine WKH ¿YH\HDU VWXG\ ZDV WKDW ZKLOH sport’s leaders were saying, in the numbers generally trended essence, ‘We are going to change “I’m not sure downward for both synthetics (1.49, the fundamental nature of horse 1.21, 1.09, 1.03, 1.22) and turf racing in America, and we want the change (1.94, 1.60, 1.54, 1.74, 1.38), the dirt HYHU\RQHWRIDOOLQOLQHZLWKXV¶8SRQ seeing what the future would look ¿JXUHV UHPDLQ QHDUO\ XQFKDQJHG like, too many people--the sport’s back from from year to year (2.10, 2.04, 2.07, customers, especially--wanted no 2.10, 2.11). This would appear to part of it.” synthetics to put a dent in the argument that an increased focus on safety in North Some of the arguments against dirt is based America has made all tracks safer, synthetics are valid. Others not just synthetics. aren’t substantiated by the facts. less on sound Regardless, synthetic supporters Despite the reduction in seem to have lost the battle, at information catastrophic breakdowns on least in North America. But the synthetic tracks, not everybody was TXHVWLRQV UHPDLQ LV WKH$PHULFDQ convinced by the new surfaces. Thoroughbred better, or worse off, and more Many trainers said they saw a rise for it? And what will be the long-run in non-fatal, soft-tissue injuries, effect on racing if the current trend on opinion.” particularly in the hind end. Other continues and synthetic tracks --Dr. Sue Stover were vexed by the changes in the continue to revert to dirt? tracks from training hours to post “Are we making decisions based time. At Del Mar, cool seaside So what happened? Did the RQ VFLHQWL¿F HYLGHQFH RU WKLQJV mornings kept the track tighter tracks fail to reduce catastrophic we don’t know much about?” Dr. and faster, but in the afternoons, breakdowns? No. By that measure, Sue Stover, one of the country’s even many detractors of synthetic the hot California sun left the track leading specialists on equine tracks agree the surfaces were a sticky, which yielded slower times. anatomy and biomechanics, asked. success. The numbers are hard to Several prominent handicappers ³,¶PQRWVXUHWKHFKDQJHEDFNIURP DUJXH,Q0DUFKRI7KH-RFNH\ denounced the surfaces, saying synthetics to dirt is based less on &OXEUHOHDVHGWKH¿YH\HDUVWDWLVWLFV they were harder to handicap sound information and more on IURP LWV (TXLQH ,QMXU\ 'DWDEDVH and played to horses with grass RSLQLRQ$QG ,¶P QRW VXUH LW¶V ULJKW which was launched in 2008 to pedigrees. Others said the tracks or wrong—but there’s a lot at stake. collect data and help address the robbed the American Thoroughbred Not only horses lives, but a lot of problem of breakdowns. RILWVPRVWSUL]HGDVVHWVSHHG economic investment.”

Is This the Death of Synthetic Racing? August 2014 | 4 SYNTHETICS & CATASTROPHIC BREAKDOWNS ark Twain said, “There are So horses that have heart attacks MWKUHH NLQGV RI OLHV OLHV or suffer fatal injuries after clipping damned lies and statistics.” That is, heels--causes that have no bearing if you have a point to argue, you can on track surface--are included. Still, probably bend one stat or another WKH(,'KDVEHHQDQLQYDOXDEOHWRRO to serve your purpose. There are in judging the safety of a track, and plenty of statistics about synthetic those tracks that participate should tracks, enough to fuel both sides be applauded for doing so. of the debate, but nearly everyone involved also agrees that hard facts ³,¶YH DOZD\V VDLG WKDW WKH UDFLQJ about all-weather tracks are hard to jurisdictions that don’t even collect ascertain. the numbers are negligent,” said Dr. Tim Parkin, a veterinarian and ,IZH¶UHVWULFWO\WDONLQJFDWDVWURSKLF HSLGHPLRORJLVW IURP WKH 8QLYHUVLW\ EUHDNGRZQV KRZHYHULWLVGLI¿FXOW of Glasgow, who serves as a to argue that synthetic tracks don’t FRQVXOWDQW RQ WKH (,' DQG EUHDNV reduce--sometimes drastically--the down the numbers for The Jockey Dr. Tim Parkin p: Horsephotos rates of those breakdowns. Club. “Anyone who puts racing Cumulative breakdown rates by on should know the risk for the surface varied greatly. On synthetic Much of the information we have horses that come and take part.” tracks, the rate was 1.22/1000. On is from The Jockey Club’s Equine (The database can be viewed here. turf, it was 1.63/1000. On dirt, the ,QMXU\ 'DWDEDVH (,'  ODXQFKHG Note that all listed tracks provide rate was 2.08/1000. in 2008, which calculates racing information to the EID. Those tracks fatality rates (measured in fatalities that are hyperlinked have chosen to “Overall, synthetic racing surfaces per 1000 starts) of participating make their information public.) continued to be associated with tracks. VLJQL¿FDQWO\ IHZHU IDWDO LQMXULHV Recently, The Jockey Club than dirt and turf,” Parkin said in an 7KH (,' KDV LWV OLPLWDWLRQV UHOHDVHG D ¿YH\HDU VWXG\ RI RI¿FLDOUHOHDVH since it covers only those deaths catastrophic breakdown rates from that happen during racing and Jan. 1, 2009 through Jan. 31, 2013. To some, the difference between not training, which historically Stats showed that 3,582 horses 1.00/1000 and 2.00/1000 may not can account for 40% of a track’s died while racing in North America sound like a big deal. But if you catastrophic breakdowns. Further, during that stretch at participating consider a track that sends out WKH¿JXUHVLQFOXGHDOOIDWDOLWLHVWKDW WUDFNV ,Q WKH VDPH WLPHIUDPH 11,000-plus starters each year, occur from the time the gates open horses made 1,871,522 starts, such as Woodbine, 10 fatalities in a given race until 72 hours after equating to a breakdown rate of vs. 20 per 10,000 starts takes on a (if a horse is injured in the race). 1.91 per 1000 starts. different perspective.

Is This the Death of Synthetic Racing? August 2014 | 5 “I’m disappointed the synthetic tracks are starting to be ripped up again. I think there’s clear evidence in what we’ve done that they truly are safer.” -- Dr. Tim Parkin

,W¶VQRVXUSULVHWKHQWKDWDVWKH validity of the statistics, and wonder Wrote Vienna, “Catastrophic industry turns away from synthetic aloud if the reduction of fatalities breakdowns are caused by a tracks, some are left scratching isn’t attributable to other factors. number of factors. Any conclusion their heads as to why advances that fails to consider all variables LV IDWDOO\ ÀDZHG ,Q &DOLIRUQLD made during the synthetic era are One widely held belief was voiced by trainer and attorney Darrell Vienna shortly after the introduction of being ignored. LQ DQ RSLQLRQ SLHFH WLWOHG ³$UWL¿FLDO the synthetic surfaces, pre-race veterinary scrutiny of all starters ³,¶P GLVDSSRLQWHG WKH V\QWKHWLF Promises,” published in the Jan. was enhanced. Any potential 26, 2010 issue of The Blood-Horse. tracks are starting to be ripped up starter with even the hint of a pre- again,” Parkin said in an interview At that point, California racing had existing condition was not allowed with the TDN³,WKLQNWKHUH¶VFOHDU battled maintenance issues at both to compete. Could it be that this evidence in what we’ve done that Del Mar and Santa Anita, but had heightened pre-race inspection WKH\ WUXO\ DUH VDIHU , XQGHUVWDQG DOVR ZLWQHVVHG D VLJQL¿FDQW GURS has contributed to the purported the other pressures out there-- in racing fatalities. Vienna likened reduction of injuries attributed to policy isn’t driven only by science- “[p]urveyors of synthetic racing synthetic surfaces?” surfaces” to “snake oil salesmen,” -but in terms of equine welfare, it’s Other detractors of synthetics and said that the reduced rate of a disappointing move given the said the drop in breakdowns could strength of the evidence.” catastrophic breakdowns could be be tied to the fact that the synthetic tied to another enhanced safety tracks were recently installed, Opponents of synthetic tracks, IDFWRULQ&DOLIRUQLDUDFLQJ³SUHUDFH and by racing jurisdictions with however, have questioned the veterinary scrutiny.” ¿QDQFLDOZKHUHZLWKDO

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Is This the Death of Synthetic Racing? August 2014 | 6 ,Q-DQXDU\RIWKHDaily Racing saw four fatalities from 4,440 starts, Later in the day, Twirling Candy Form’s Steve Crist wrote that a rate of 0.90/1000. A year later, WRRN WKH *, 0DOLEX 6 LQ   wholesale comparisons between all just two racing fatalities occurred which lowered Spectacular Bid’s American dirt tracks and synthetic from 3,395 starts, or 0.59/1000. But 20-year-old track record by .30. tracks “...are specious because drainage problems continued, and every synthetic installation is a new Santa Anita announced it was going Hard, fast tracks are notoriously and expensive, one while many of back to dirt. tough on horses, though, and before the nation’s older dirt tracks are at the week was out, two horses were poorly maintained minor venues, 2I¿FLDOV VDLG WKH\ UHPDLQHG vanned off the main track and a and that investing in improvements committed to safety, and that a third broke down in the stretch and to dirt tracks would yield the same state-of-the-art dirt track would be was euthanized. statistical gains. Truer comparisons, installed that would ensure the safety of horses and riders and provide a That inauspicious 3.45/1000 VXFK DV EHWZHHQ WRSÀLJKW WUDFNV OHYHOSOD\LQJ¿HOGIRUDOOFRPSHWLWRUV catastrophic breakdown rate for the offering simultaneous meetings on ¿UVW ZHHN RI WKH PHHW FDPH IURP the different surfaces, suggest that ,W ZRXOG DOVR LQFLGHQWDOO\ SURYLGH a means of testing Vienna’s and DQ LQVXI¿FLHQW VDPSOH VL]H RI  dirt racing can be just as safe or Crist’s assertions. Same horsemen, starts. But fatality rates remained safer.” same horses, same protocols, just high through the next year. Thirteen horses died while racing at Santa Controlled experiments are a different (and brand new) surface. Anita in 2011, a rate of 2.94/1000. impossible in real-world racing, Santa Anita’s new dirt track was where there are dozens are ,Q FRPSDULVRQ DFURVV WRZQ RQ blistering fast when it opened on Hollywood’s Cushion Track, there variables relating to horse welfare, Dec. 26, 2010. On the fourth race were 7 racing deaths from 3,812 but the closest North America got of the card, The Factor broke his starts (1.84/1000) on the year, a is when Santa Anita reverted from maiden in a six-furlong maiden Pro-Ride to dirt in late 2010. QHDUGLIIHUHQFH,Q6DQWD VSHFLDO LQ D WUDFNUHFRUG   Anita had a fatality rate of 2.89. Four years earlier, the California Horse Racing Board had mandated that all the major tracks in the state install a synthetic surface or risk losing dates, and in 2007, Santa Anita put in a wax-based Cushion Track--the same type of track used by Hollywood Park. Problems soon arose at Santa Anita. Heavy rains in early 2008 revealed drainage issues, reportedly caused by an improper type of sand used during installation (a different, less silt- like type was used successfully at Hollywood). Santa Anita was forced to cancel 11 days of racing, and the Australian-based Pro-Ride was brought in to work out a solution. The stop-gap measure worked. Santa Anita held two successful Breeders’ Cup events over the Pro- Ride and enjoyed a spectacular 7ZLUOLQJ&DQG\ IDUOHIW ZLQQLQJWKH*,0DOLEX6DW6DQWD$QLWDRQ'HF VDIHW\UHFRUG,QWKH3UR5LGH WKH¿UVWGD\WKDW6DQWD$QLWDUHWXUQHGWRUDFLQJRQDGLUWWUDFN S%HQRLW

Is This the Death of Synthetic Racing? August 2014 | 7 Looked at in a slightly different way, LW IURP  WR  IHHW ,W RSHQHG WR These numbers tout Gulfstream Santa Anita sent off 7,825 synthetic rave reviews from horsemen and and Saratoga as some of the safer starters in 2009-10, and six horses jockeys, but the track has a spotty dirt tracks around. But, on a year-in, died while racing. The following two safety record since. According to the year-out basis, they still struggled to years, 8,928 dirt starters left the (,'VLQFHLWVKDVUHFRUGHGD match the rates of North America’s gate, and 26 horses died. rate under 1.90 deaths per 1000 VDIHVW V\QWKHWLF WUDFNV ,Q WKH ODVW starts just once, and suffered its ,Q0D\6DQWD$QLWDZKRVH worst year in 2013, when 23 horses ¿YH\HDUV:RRGELQHKDVDFKLHYHG breakdown rate on dirt was 2.11, died while racing (3.54/1000). rates of 1.03, 0.93, 0.97, 0.64, and announced that it was replacing its $W3UHVTXH,VOH'RZQVLQWKH surface once again, this time with Gulfstream Park, which also same stretch, it’s 1.30, 0.79, 0.45, 20,000-plus yards of El Segundo installed a new dirt track in the mid- DQG$W.HHQHODQG 2000s, has fared better. After a sand excavated from Los Angeles 0.93, 1.27, 1.39, 0.43. ,QWHUQDWLRQDO$LUSRUW sky-high rate of 3.02/1000 in 2009, it has achieved rates of 0.47 (‘10), 3UHVTXH,VOH¶VUDWHLQ The Santa Anita experiment 1.85 (‘11), 1.77 (‘12) and 1.65 (‘13) when the track had three fatalities suggests Vienna’s belief that the last four years. from 6,609 starters, is a high mark dropping fatality rates were due to increased pre-race safety protocols, Some older dirt tracks, by way for a non-boutique meet that hasn’t rather than the track surface, was of comparison, have performed EHHQVXUSDVVHGRQWKH(,'&RPLQJ either incorrect, or that protocol just as good or better. Saratoga close was the 0.58 rate that Turfway VWDQGDUGVZHUHUHOD[HGVLJQL¿FDQWO\ Race Course, a New York Racing DFKLHYHGLQ/LNH3UHVTXH,VOH since their implementation. Association track, hasn’t had an Turfway cards are made up mostly RI¿FLDOUHQRYDWLRQLQGHFDGHVDQG of inexpensive claiming races, and As for Crist’s assertion that KDV D YHU\ VROLG VDIHW\ UHFRUG ,Q for Parkin, the results at places synthetic tracks are safer because 2009, the boutique summer meet- OLNH 3UHVTXH ,VOH DQG 7XUIZD\ DUH they are new and expensive, -which is subject to big swings in consistent with studies he and his evidence suggests the vintage of fatality rates due to its relatively a track doesn’t play a major factor small number of starters--didn’t colleagues have done around the in its safety record. Laurel Park, for KDYHDUDFLQJIDWDOLW\RQGLUW,QWKH world that show that, regardless of instance, replaced its existing dirt years since, rates have checked in racing class, synthetics have better track in 2005, raising it and widening at 1.92, 0.57, 1.23 and 1.29. safety records.

Is This the Death of Synthetic Racing? August 2014 | 8 After changing to synthetics, the rate of main-track deaths dropped to 1.95/1000 (at DMR) or 109 fatalities from 56,031 starts. Šƒ–ϐ‹‰—”‡‘ˆͳǤͻͷƒ›•–‹ŽŽ•‡‡ high, but the roughly 72 horse lives saved represented a huge improvement in safety standards. “People make the argument that A Closer Look at California... you have different populations of horses racing on these surfaces, Not all dirt tracks are the same, 5LFN$UWKXU S+RUVHSKRWRV which we totally accept and not all synthetic tracks are the understand,” he said. “Which is same, and it’s important to note Dr. Rick Arthur, the California Horse why we don’t rely just on these that not all synthetic tracks have Racing Board’s equine medical statistics when we do these studies. stellar safety records. The now- director, did just that in 2010. At that defunct Hollywood Park (Betfair year’s 56th annual convention of We’ve got people look at prediction Hollywood Park in its last two years models, and the models account for of existence) was never able to the American Association of Equine all the variables--quality of horse, achieve the results that some of the Practitioners, Arthur released the class of race, race distance, etc. East Coast-based synthetics did, for results of a retrospective study he And synthetic tracks come out LQVWDQFH ,Q  DFFRUGLQJ WR WKH had undertaken. Arthur compared VLJQL¿FDQWO\ DKHDG :KHQ \RX (TXLQH ,QMXU\ 'DWDEDVH +ROO\ZRRG catastrophic musculoskeletal injury account for all those variables and had nine fatalities from 4,195 starts, rates on turf, dirt and synthetic their effect on the likelihood of a or a rate of 2.15/1000. Over the next surfaces at California’s four major fatality, surfaces certainly play an IRXU\HDUVLWVUDWHVZHUH WUDFNV+ROO\ZRRG'HO0DU6DQWD$QLWD DQG7KHODVW¿JXUHIURP and Golden Gate), from Jan. 1, 2004 important roll.” UHSUHVHQWHGWKH¿UVWWLPHWKDW Santa Anita’s dirt track surpassed WKURXJK'HF,QRQHRIWKH That ties in to another point in the Cushion Track in safety. Del most thorough studies of its kind, Crist’s article, which implies that Mar, which like Saratoga has limited Arthur looked at state-mandated the breakdown rates at “poorly starters and can see vastly differing necropsy reports of horses that died maintained minor venues” pushes rates because of it, has had its ups on track, and omitted the ones those up the national average. For DQGGRZQV,QDQG horses that died from something those tracks that have made their it had fatality rates of 1.78, 2.06 and not related to track surface, such LQIRUPDWLRQ SXEOLF YLD WKH (,' DW  ,Q  DQG  'HO 0DU as heart or respiratory conditions could boast of rates of 0.51 and 0.48, least, the numbers don’t look all that respectively, with one afternoon and accidents. From the remaining different from smaller tracks to the fatality each of those years. ¿JXUHV $UWKXU GHWHUPLQHG WKDW major players. At Suffolk Downs, pre-synthetic, California had a rate the 5-year rates, from 2009-13, ,I VRPH RI WKRVH UDWHV VHHP of 3.09/1000 on its dirt tracks from ZHUH      excessively high, it is important to 2004-07. That’s 181 fatalities from $W 3RUWODQG 0HDGRZV   keep in mind that California, for 58,659 starts.    $W 5HPLQJWRQ reasons no one seems able to put 2.49, 1.49, 1.97, 2.14, 1.64. D ¿QJHU RQ KDV KLVWRULFDOO\ KDG After changing to synthetics, the higher-than-average breakdown rate of main-track deaths dropped At Belmont Park, meanwhile, rates compared to the rest of the to 1.95/1000, said Arthur, or 109 FRXQWU\,W¶VWKHQXVHIXOWRFRPSDUH WKH \HDU UDWHV DUH   California’s breakdown rates on fatalities from 56,031 starts. That 2.29, 1.86, 0.88. Aqueduct’s main synthetics not with other tracks (dirt ¿JXUHRIPD\VWLOOVHHPKLJK WUDFN      or synthetic) around the country, but the roughly 72 horse lives saved $TXHGXFW¶VLQQHU but with the pre-synthetic rate of represented a huge improvement in 4.02, 2.47. catastrophic injuries in California. safety standards.

Is This the Death of Synthetic Racing? August 2014 | 9 SOFT-TISSUE INJURES, SLIDE & SYNTHETICS ³,W¶VDGLIIHUHQWGHDODOOWRJHWKHU´ trainer Mark Frostad told Bill Finley in his excellent Ground Control series for the TDN. “The injuries are back-end related. There’s no slide to the synthetics, so you end XSJHWWLQJDORWRIMDUULQJ,ZRXOGQ¶W say my horses are healthier now. :LWKWKHROGLQMXULHV,ZDVJHWWLQJ IUDFWXUHV DQG FKLSV DQG QRZ ,¶P getting stress fractures and torque injuries.”

7UDLQHU0LNH0LWFKHOODJUHHG³,¶P getting a lot of hind-end injuries that , QHYHU KDG EHIRUH´ KH VDLG ³,¶YH had more injuries on these tracks WKDQ,KDGRQGLUW´

Others had the exact opposite p: Horsephotos opinion. “Training on it day in and GD\ RXW P\ KRUVHV DUH GH¿QLWHO\ “Yes, but...” Some trainers healthier,” said trainer Graham 0RWLRQ³,¶PPXFKPRUHFRPIRUWDEOH ooner or later, the conversation training on it.” Sabout the safety of synthetics said we were comes to this intersection.

Is This the Death of Synthetic Racing? August 2014 | 10 As horses race each other at Prominent upwards of 40 miles per hour, their owner/breeder hooves hit the track approximately Bill Casner is 150 times a minute. Because among those of the speed, our eyes miss the who have studied components of a horse’s stride, the issue. but the white paper described the four-step process. First is impact, “When a horse which introduces concussive forces puts his foot to the hoof and leg. Next comes down, you have the braking portion of the stride, as two basic forces the horse’s hoof slides to a stop. of physics--load For a split second, the horse’s leg and torque,” is completely upright, its pastern Casner said. “On almost parallel to the ground as dirt, you have it supports its own weight--step a longer slide, 3--followed by the rollover phase, and a longer during which the horse pushes off slide equals propels itself forward. Over and more torque, over again, this happens hundreds especially on a of times during a race. horse that has a conformational Naturally, there are changes to fault, which a 0'LFNLQVRQRQ7DSHWDVXUIDFHDW$O4XR]LQ'XEDL this process on different surfaces. vast majority do. p: Horsephotos “For instance, the toe, on a You also have VOLGH LV PLQLPDO ,W¶V LQ WKLV DUHD synthetic track, doesn’t penetrate more drop in the pastern and fetlock that synthetic tracks are more like the surface to the degree it does joint.” turf tracks, as Peterson notes, and on a dirt track,” said Peterson. “By perhaps is one of the main reasons This drop causes hyperextension, contrast, it penetrates more into a that turf horses are able to handle which can be a recipe for disaster. synthetic track than into a turf the switch to synthetics better than track. So in this regard, synthetic “Fetlock injuries account for the switch to dirt. tracks are indeed something of a roughly 50% of fatal injuries halfway point between turf and dirt.” in horses,” said Sue Stover, Michael Dickinson, trainer of who heads up the J.D. Wheat horses like Da Hoss and Tapit and There are other (if related) the inventor and founder of Tapeta differences between the surfaces, Veterinary Orthopedic Research Footings, talked about those including one of the most critical /DERUDWRU\ DW 8& 'DYLV ³7KH similarities. components of the hoof/track more hyperextension the fetlock undergoes, the higher the stresses interaction, and the one that has “Tapeta participated in a study that are put on the structures that are JDUQHUHG WKH PRVW DWWHQWLRQ KRRI conducted by an Olympic scientist IDLOLQJ,IZHFDQVKRZWKDWFHUWDLQ slide. Put simply, slide is how much XVLQJKLJKVSHHG¿OPWRFDSWXUHWKH surfaces minimize hyperextension, forward movement there is once a mechanics of 15 horse puts its foot down. they should minimize catastrophic breezing two furlongs on both turf injuries.” Experts say it is desirable to DQG 7DSHWD´ 'LFNLQVRQ VDLG ³,W have some slide, as this helps How does slide differ on different was done on the same day with decelerate the hoof and lessens surfaces? On a sandy dirt track, the same riders, whereby allowing impact forces that are transferred there may be several inches of examination of the differences in up the leg. But too much slide can slide as the hoof penetrates into how the horses traveled over both. be a serious problem, as it can lead the surface and displaces material. The horses had a slightly longer to the hyperextension of the ankle 2Q D ¿UP WXUI FRXUVH ZKHUH WKH stride on Tapeta, but there was very (fetlock) and knee joints. grass has a healthy root system, little difference in the slide pattern.”

Is This the Death of Synthetic Racing? August 2014 | 11 Experts point to this commonality For decades, trainers have used as a factor in the improved safety “We had always toe grabs--a cleat on the front of a rates of synthetics and turf surfaces used toe grabs horseshoe--to give a horse better when compared to dirt tracks, but traction. Other traction devices, note that problems can arise if a on the dirt, for such as caulks, similarly aim to track offers too little slide--an oft- arrest slide and provide more grip heard complaint about synthetics. instance, and during propulsion. Studies linking toe grab--and toe-grab length--to an Steve Norman is an internationally when people increased rate of injury date back respected farrier whose famous at least two decades. One study by equine clients include two-time used them on Horse of the Year Wise Dan and synthetics, they Sue Stover showed a horse wearing Blame, as well as three front toe grabs was up to 16 times .HQWXFN\'HUE\ZLQQHUV$O\VKHED found out very more likely to suffer a catastrophic Go For Gin and War Emblem. injury while racing than a horse not quickly that that wearing toe grabs. But even as Based in Kentucky, Norman has trainers began to shy away from shod thousands of horses who have was a mistake.” using overly long grabs on a horse’s competed on turf, dirt and synthetic, --Trainer Eoin Harty front feet, they still used them and has studied the biomechanics of behind. That, according to Norman, hoof/track interaction as a member was a big mistake on synthetics. of The Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit’s Shoeing and “Toe grabs are absolutely Hoof Care Committee. detrimental to a horse on synthetic UDFHWUDFNV´ KH VDLG ³,I V\QWKHWLFV Early in the synthetic era, don’t give you a lot of slide, toe Norman, along with Casner and grabs make it so much worse, since Kentucky Horseshoeing School’s there’s a snow-plow effect as the Mitch Taylor, rented a high-speed foot moves forward.” camera to study what happens to the hoof and leg as it interacts with This snow-plow effect builds the track. pressure on the hoof and changes Peterson, at the 2014 Welfare and the angle at which it drives forward, ³,W ZDV D UHDOO\ H\HRSHQLQJ Safety of the Racehorse Summit, experience,” said Norman, who said that some dirt tracks allowed FUHDWLQJ XQGXH VWUHVV RQ WKH FRI¿Q made stops at Keeneland, Turfway for even less slide that synthetics. bone, fetlock, and suspensory and Churchill Downs with the But in general, synthetics meant apparatus, said Norman. camera. “We found that synthetics less slide, and initially at least, ³,WKLQNLQLWLDOO\WKHUHZDVDOHDUQLQJ tend to stop the natural slide of a meant a different type of injury. curve, and one of the big things was horse, and all horses need to slide ³7KHUH ZHUH GH¿QLWHO\ LQMXULHV that really had to adapt your shoeing forward in their momentum strides, there that you didn’t see on dirt,” to the track,” said California-based and synthetics stop that because Norman said. “They weren’t major trainer Eoin Harty. “We had always it sticks.” injuries, but they were there.” used toe grabs on the dirt, for Later research showed that slide Norman and his compatriots soon instance, and when people used on each track was different, and targeted a culprit they felt badly them on synthetics, they found out was dependent on track condition. H[DFHUEDWHGWKHSUREOHPWRHJUDEV very quickly that that was a mistake.”

Is This the Death of Synthetic Racing? August 2014 | 12 Casner, who employs Harty as a trainer, has long advocated for the restriction of toe grabs. Casner led a special committee formed at the 2006 Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit that recommended all front toe grabs be banned, and said that early observations led him to believe that synthetics and toe grabs, front or rear, were a particularly bad combination.

³2QHRIWKH¿UVWWKLQJVZHOHDUQHG is that toe-grabs are a no-no on [synthetics],” he said. “You want about 3, 4 inches of slide, and you don’t want them to stop abruptly. And at the beginning, horsemen were running their horses in rear toe-grabs, and that’s why they were getting the jam-ups in the rear end.”

Tapeta’s Michael Dickinson said his weariness of toe grabs came early. “We’ve always recommended that toe grabs not be used on horses training and running on Trainer Eoin Harty with Colonel John p: Horsephotos Tapeta tracks,” he said. of the surface, and for them safety the horse, and also the danger to a has always been paramount.” fallen jockey being stepped on.” Many tracks took this advice to KHDUW ,Q  .HHQHODQG DQG That, said Dickinson, helped them Not all tracks or horsemen were Turfway together announced that all avoid soft-tissue injuries. “Jon Moss, in favor of toe-grab restrictions, grabs would be banned, front and Assistant Executive Director of the however. The California Horse rear. The same year, Woodbine sent Pennsylvania HPBA, conducted Racing Board passed a rule in a memo to horsemen announcing a survey of the 20 largest trainers February of 2006 prohibiting front that it, too, was banning toe grabs DW3UHVTXH,VOHIRUWZR\HDUVDQG toe grabs with a height greater on all feet. the evidence was overwhelming than four millimeters. But, in a that all injuries, including soft- tight vote, the CHRB opted a year 2WKHUV OLNH 3UHVTXH ,VOH tissue and hind-end injuries, were later to not enforce the rule after UHFRPPHQGHG WKDW RQO\ ÀDW greatly reduced,” said Dickinson. hearing testimony from trainer John Queen’s Plate shoes be worn, but “Some trainers are obsessed with Shirreffs, arguably one of the most didn’t mandate it. Dickinson said toe grabs because they believe he believed most trainers there that they provide a slight edge, respected trainers in the country followed Tapeta’s suggestions. “The even though there is overwhelming and a vocal critic of synthetic horsemen embraced the surface evidence that they increase the risk tracks. Shirreffs said he believed from the beginning and went in of tendons, suspensories and soft- the decision to equip a horse with with an open mind wanting it to tissue injuries. Toe grabs, stickers grabs should be left with the person work,” he said. “They adapted their and caulks are prohibited in most with the most intimate knowledge of training methods to get the best out countries because of the danger to WKDWKRUVHKLVWUDLQHU

Is This the Death of Synthetic Racing? August 2014 | 13 Interestingly, the issue of grabs eventually went a step further, and had some wondering if shoes-- not just those with grabs, but any kind of horseshoe-- were needed at all on synthetics.

Shirreffs wasn’t alone in Some trainers say they still his opposition. A month after suffer a disproportionally that vote, the CHRB reversed high level of non-fatal injures. course and voted in favor of Others, like Wesley Ward, enforcing the ban on front toe maintain injuries of all types grabs, despite the objections have gone down. When it of Charles Dougherty, Jr., was announced this year a representative of the that Keeneland was reverting California Thoroughbred back to a dirt surface, Ward Trainers who stated his RSLQHG ³,¶YH SUREDEO\ KDG organization’s opposition 5,000 workouts with all of my to enforcement of the rule. horses [over the Keeneland Today, rear grabs are allowed 3RO\WUDFN@DQG,KDYHQ¶WKXUW at California tracks, so long one handful of the horses in as they don’t extend more DOO WKRVH ZRUNV , FDQ¶W VD\ than a quarter of an inch. that about any other track ,QWHUHVWLQJO\ WKH LVVXH WKDW ,¶YH HYHU WUDLQHG DW of grabs eventually went a My horses have [shipped] step further, and had some from Keeneland and won all wondering if shoes--not just over the world--it kept them those with grabs, but any kind going and it kept them very, of horseshoe--were needed very sound.” at all on synthetics. p: Horsephotos Harty admits to being in that Experts & Anecdotes... “When we looked at our videos, FDPS ³7KH PRVW LPSRUWDQW WKLQJ , The value of anecdotal they showed that you could IHOW,GLGZDVWRHLWKHUWDNHDOOIRXU possibly get more slide barefoot evidence can be debated. What shoes off them, or certainly the hind happens in one trainer’s barn versus any kind of shoe,” said shoes, and that really made a huge might not representative of the IDUULHU 6WHYH 1RUPDQ ³,W ZDV MXVW difference,” he said of his early KRUVH SRSXODWLRQ DV D ZKROH ,Q a matter of someone being game adaptions to synthetics. “A lot of philosophy, it’s called the fallacy of HQRXJK WR UXQ WKHP EDUHIRRW , GR WLPHVZLWK\HDUROGV,¶GRQO\SXW FRPSRVLWLRQ WKH HUURQHRXV EHOLHI all the shoeing at WinStar Farm, shoes on them the day of the race, that what is true of a part is true of and they have a Poly training track. DQG WKH RQO\ UHDVRQ , GLGQ¶W OHDYH the whole. All the babies that are there are still WKHPRIIHQWLUHO\LVEHFDXVH,GLGQ¶W have the [guts] to do it.” 8QIRUWXQDWHO\ WKRVH ORRNLQJ WR barefoot. We kept them barefoot get the complete picture on non- fatal injuries and surfaces are often as long as we can, until they’re ,I PRVW DJUHH WKHUH ZDV D basically leaving to join another reliant on anecdotal evidence since learning curve as trainers became hard data on non-fatal injuries is, WUDLQHU,¶GORYHWRVHHPRUHJX\VGR accustomed to synthetics, there well, hard to come by. For obvious LW EXW , GRQ¶W WKLQN WKHUH¶V HQRXJK remains a sharp divide on the reasons, catastrophic injuries are VHOIFRQ¿GHQFH DPRQJ WUDLQHUV WR current depth of the problem of easier to account for than a horse [run them barefoot].” soft-tissue injuries on synthetics. that is sidelined with a ligament tear.

Is This the Death of Synthetic Racing? August 2014 | 14 ,Q&DOLIRUQLDHYHU\RQWUDFNIDWDOLW\ must undergo a necropsy. On the other hand, trainers and vets aren’t under any obligation to report a soft-tissue injury, and at this point, who would they report them to?

“Tracking soft-tissue injuries is much trickier,” acknowledged Dr. Tim Parkin, a veterinarian and HSLGHPLRORJLVW IURP WKH 8QLYHUVLW\ of Glasgow who serves as the primary consultant for The Jockey &OXE¶V (TXLQH ,QMXU\ 'DWDEDVH “Accurate and reliable reporting from veterinarians is a challenge. Following up on reported injuries is an even greater challenge. From a quality-insurance standpoint, it is very hard.” p: College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences But that doesn’t mean experts 'U:D\QH0F,OZUDLWK  &68 haven’t formed opinions from data- based observations, nor does DzŠ‡”‡™ƒ•ƒ•‹‰‹ϐ‹ ƒ–Ž‘™‡”‹‰ it mean there haven’t been any of bone injuries and joint injuries, studies on the issue.

,Q  WKH 7KRURXJKEUHG but the absolute number Owners and Breeders Association released a study that indicated [of soft-tissue injuries] was no higher” horses were half as likely to suffer --Dr. Wayne McIlwraith career-ending injuries--regardless of type--on synthetics versus dirt. The study looked at horses that 'U:D\QH0F,OZUDLWKDQG'U-HII “What we found was there was a GLGQRW¿QLVKDUDFH '1) LQ Blea, a respected California-based VLJQL¿FDQWORZHULQJRIERQHLQMXULHV and who, as of June 1, 2010, hadn’t veterinarian and president of the and joint injuries, but the absolute registered a recorded work. From American Association of Equine number [of soft-tissue injuries] 444,848 starts, 1,558 horses didn’t ZDV QR KLJKHU´ VDLG 0F,OZUDLWK Practitioners (AAEP), have tried ¿QLVK 7KH SHUFHQWDJH RI &('1) who travels to California every one FDUHHUHQGLQJ GLG QRW ¿QLVK  ZDV to address the soft-tissue dilemma weekend to perform surgeries for 0.39% on dirt. On turf, it was 0.26%. more precisely. What they’ve found clients including Bob Baffert and On synthetics, it was 0.19%. There may help answer the questions out didn’t seem to be an equal trade-off John Sadler. “But because bone WKHUH ,Q DQ DV\HW XQSXEOLVKHG of career-ending injuries, but the injuries were lowered, soft-tissue study was admittedly limited in time study, the men examined injury injuries became more prominent in and scope. data from Southern California. some people’s eyes.”

Is This the Death of Synthetic Racing? August 2014 | 15 ,Q HVVHQFH WKHLU UHVHDUFK were on dirt. Soft tissue injuries? PRUHQRQIDWDOLQMXULHV,¶PQRWVXUH suggests the issue of soft-tissue ,ZRXOGQ¶WVD\WKH\ZHUHXSWKH\¶UH that’s been substantiated yet.” injures--at least taking the issue SUREDEO\DERXWWKHVDPH,GRKHDU writ large--can be muddled by that horses are more muscle sore Stover went on to add, “From my SHUVSHFWLYH &RQVLGHU LW WKLV ZD\ after racing on Poly, and that there perspective, synthetic tracks are if there are six injuries in a barn, are more hind-end injuries--pelvises VWLOOVDIHU,IZHPRGLI\DVXUIDFHLW and two are soft-tissue injuries and and tibias. But honestly, there are affects every horse that’s training or the rest injuries to bone, then soft- VR IHZ WKDQ ,¶P QRW VXUH RI WKH racing, and we have the opportunity tissue injuries account for 33% of VLJQL¿FDQFH RI WKHP , NQRZ WKDW to make a difference--a big WKH LQMXULHV  RI   ,I \RX FXW WKH some trainers don’t like it because difference--to those horses.” bone injuries by half and soft-tissue they don’t feel their horses run well injuries remain the same, then soft- on it. But even when we had the dirt For his part, Casner believes tissue injuries account for 50% track, someone always complained there probably was an increase of of injuries (2 of 4), without having DERXWVRPHWKLQJ,W¶VMXVWWKHQDWXUH hind-end and soft-tissue injuries increased in frequency. Though to RIWKHEHDVW,W¶VHLWKHUWRRKDUGWRR shortly after synthetics were put some, it may feel that way. soft, too wet or too dry.” in. But as those injuries abated as ³,¶YHWDONHGWRDORWRIYHWVDERXW Sue Stover is another who isn’t trainers adapted--most notably by WKLV WRR DQG , GRQ¶W WKLQN ZH¶YH convinced there’s been an actual not running horses in grabs, front seen more tendon or suspensory spike in soft-tissue injuries. or back--the reputation remained. LQMXULHV´DGGHG0F,OZUDLWK “The soft-tissue injuries that people ³,Q RXU H[SHULHQFH LQ &DOLIRUQLD This falls in line with what some we’ve had a reduction in fatalities continually bring up are something veterinarians at other tracks are with the installation of synthetic that’s been addressed,” he said. seeing. Greg Taylor, Woodbine’s tracks versus dirt tracks,” she said. “You had it in the early days, but RI¿FLDO YHWHULQDULDQ VDLG ³2XU ³$QG ZKLOH , UHFRJQL]H WKHUH DUH they’re greatly exaggerated now by fractures our down from when we horse trainers who think there are the opponents of synthetic surfaces.”

SYNTHETICS: THE GRASS MYTH... afety issues have clearly dominated the synthetic debate, but they haven’t been the only factors weighed. SFrom the outset of the synthetic era, breeders and owners who poured millions into the sport wondered how the new surfaces would affect their investments. Would the new tracks favor certain pedigrees? Would some pedigrees be rendered obsolete? Bettors, the lifeblood of racing, had similar questions. The answer came early. Many, however, didn’t receive it. From the outset, a broad swath of the industry believed horses with dirt form and dirt pedigrees were at a disadvantage. The Washington Post¶V$QGUHZ%H\HUDIWHUQLQHGD\VRIUDFLQJDW.HHQHODQG¶V¿UVW3RO\WUDFN PHHWLQWKH)DOORIGHFODUHG³3RO\WUDFNKDVWXUQHGWKHVSRUWXSVLGHGRZQ,WZDVQHDUO\LPSRVVLEOHWR SUHGLFWZKLFKGLUWUXQQHUVZRXOGGRZHOORQ3RO\WUDFNDQGZKLFKZRXOGQRW%XWRQHWUHQGZDVUHFRJQL]DEOH Turf runners often liked the synthetic surface.” Whether the notion came from the popular media, from personal experience, or because synthetics were developed overseas, where turf racing is prevalent, the notion came early. And it never really left. It Ain’t What People Know... 7KHWKFHQWXU\KXPRULVW-RVK%LOOLQJVRQFHVDLG³7KHWURXEOHDLQ¶WZKDWSHRSOHNQRZ,W¶VZKDWWKH\NQRZ that ain’t so.” That’s proven the case in racing, where evidence shows that synthetic tracks do not, nor have they ever, favored horses with turf pedigrees.

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Is This the Death of Synthetic Racing? August 2014 | 16 MAINTENANCE, MOISTURE & COST ome time ago, Mick Peterson, he said. Those drastic, mid-race Swidely regarded as the premier changes lead to improper loading, racing surface specialist in North Peterson said, which can contribute America, visited Hollywood Park to catastrophic breakdowns. “And with a colleague. They were there that’s the strength of synthetic doing research, trying to establish surfaces,” said Peterson. “They’re a baseline of what a good track much easier to maintain and keep should look and feel like by talking consistent.” to jockeys and trainers. They walked around the backstretch and asked a simple question. “What’s your favorite dirt track?” Without Proper Maintenance... exception, Peterson and his But wait. Haven’t synthetic tracks colleague were told of a dirt track proven harder to maintain, harder that didn’t exist anymore. to keep consistent, than dirt tracks? ³,W ZDV DOZD\V VRPH DPD]LQJ For sure, synthetic tracks gave track that had been closed for 20 track superintendents plenty of years,” Peterson laughed. headaches in the early days. That went against one of their main 7KH DQHFGRWH ¿WV LQ ZHOO ZLWK VHOOLQJSRLQWVWKDWWKH\¶GEHHDVLHU a quote from Hall of Fame trainer to take care of. Richard Mandella, who recently 0LFN3HWHUVRQ S+RUVHSKRWRV quipped about the debate over But great strides have been made, 6LPLODU ¿[HV ZHUH LPSOHPHQWHG WUDFN VXUIDFHV ³, KDYHQ¶W IRXQG D argue proponents. “Over the last elsewhere. At Woodbine and racetrack yet that heals horses, six or seven years, maintenance Turfway, for instance, it was and as long as we’re running has advanced exponentially,” said found that a wax with a higher races with 10 horses and only one SURPLQHQWRZQHU%LOO&DVQHU³,WLVD percentage of oil helped offset the winner, there are going to be a lot of different type of surface to maintain, negative effects of sub-freezing unhappy people.” and it took a little time.” temperatures. The men essentially were saying The process started as different Headaches aside, synthetic WKHVDPHWKLQJWKHSHUIHFWUDFHWUDFN regions learned the vagaries of tracks continued to post strong one that pleases everyone, is synthetics as it related to that safety records through these ups as elusive and improbable as a particular region. Out in California, and downs. “Everyone talks about pegasus. But nearly everyone’s it was found that simply watering the fact that synthetics are more SHUIHFW WUDFN VKDUHV RQH WUDLW LW LV the tracks would keep down surface safe for horses. GLI¿FXOW WR PDLQWDLQ EXW LW GRHVQ¶W temperatures, which could account appear that the inability to maintain So why are some tracks safer than for a staggering 60% speed these surfaces has had a particular others? Peterson, the executive variance without even taking class impact on the risk of fatality,” said director of the Racing Surfaces into consideration. Dr. Tim Parkin, an epidemiologist Testing Laboratory in Maine, IURP WKH 8QLYHUVLW\ RI *ODVJRZ “Dennis Moore [then the track believes the answer is consistency. who works with The Jockey Club’s superintendent at Hollywood] said (TXLQH,QMXU\'DWDEDVH “My hypothesis is that most early on, ‘Look, these things are horses can adapt between tracks, from England. We’re in Southern Why was this the case? especially when they’re given &DOLIRUQLD,¶PJRLQJWRZDWHULW¶´VDLG Consistency, says Peterson. And time, but what they can’t do is Mick Peterson. “Common sense consistency, he says, comes down adjust between strides 37 and 38,” sometimes isn’t that common.” to water.

Is This the Death of Synthetic Racing? August 2014 | 17 “Water is a damned hard thing to control.” --Mick Peterson

Water on Tracks... Surface Tester, a mechanical device Even on a cloudless day, Peterson that simulates a hoof hitting a track. discovered, simply watering a dirt For a guy with a Ph.D. in Peterson discovered that, no matter track can lead to biases. Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, where on a synthetic track he took Mick Peterson does a good job readings from, they were roughly ³,I\RXWKLQNDERXWDZDWHUWUXFN of breaking things down for the the same. On dirt, however, there there’s a row of nozzles, and they laymen. “The key to synthetic tracks was much greater variance. This all spray the same amount of is temperature,” he said. “The key was due almost entirely to moisture water,” explained Peterson. “As you to dirt tracks is water.” content. Too much was bad. Too go around the turn, the nozzles on the inside are going less distance That synthetic tracks were little was bad. For track supers, Peterson found, it’s a tightrope. [than those on the outside]. So hydrophobic--unaffected by water- you get consistent moisture on the -was always considered one of “Water is a damned hard thing to straight, but once you get on the their biggest attributes. Always turn, it’s wetter on the inside than labeled ‘fast,’ the tracks could take control,” he said. the outside. That’s an instant track an enormous amount of rain. The Think about a dirt track after a hard bias.” water simply drained vertically rain. The crown of the track and the through track’s wax- or polymer- rail tend to dry out at different rates. Moisture control is the primary FRDWHG VXUIDFH ,Q DGGLWLRQ WR WKH Sloped straightaways and banked reason that, on a day-to-day basis, track never coming up sloppy, turns leads to material migration. synthetic tracks are generally easier WKHUHZDVWKHDGGHGEHQH¿WRIQRW than dirt tracks to care for. “They’re needing a cross slope to the track “The horse is then going from a hard to screw up,” said Peterson. in the straightaway, a feature of dirt harder surface to a softer surface, “You can over-water a synthetic tracks that allows for run-off toward or from a softer to a harder, and this the inside rail. WUDFNDQGLWGRHVQ¶WGRDQ\WKLQJ,I isn’t what you want,” Peterson said. you over-water a dirt track, you have But the value of this aspect of “You want it to be consistent, so the to cancel racing. With synthetics, synthetics wasn’t fully horse can focus on putting one foot even if you don’t have a great crew, appreciated before Peterson came in front of another and not adapting you get the biggest issue off the along with his Orono Biomechanical their gait to the surface.” table, and you get good outcomes.”

Is This the Death of Synthetic Racing? August 2014 | 18 New York, and a Well- The challenge is ensuring Kozak. “We used a lot of diesel HYHU\WKLQJJRHVULJKW³,W¶VJRLQJWR fuel and a lot of man hours on the Maintained Dirt Track... be a lot of work, especially if you have John Deeres. But that depends on a crew that’s become complacent,” the year, of course. A few years $ ZHOOPDLQWDLQHG GLUW WUDFN has VDLG 3HWHUVRQ ³,W¶V HDVLHU WR WDNH ago, we didn’t even have to remove become something of a mantra in care of a synthetic track, and it’s any snow from the tracks. Mother the anti-synthetic crowd, a phrase UHDOO\ GLI¿FXOW WR GR D JRRG MRE RQ nature dictates everything.” oft-repeated in opinion pieces and a dirt track. You look at what New blogs. “A well-maintained dirt track York’s doing now maintenance- NYRA, which has always done can be as safe, or safer, than a wise, and it’s unbelievable. They’re a good job of maintaining paper synthetic track,” read one recent getting good outcomes, but they do records, now keeps an electronic comment following an industry a lot of work.” record of all its maintenance article. LQIRUPDWLRQ ZDWHULQJ VFKHGXOH ,QGHHG 1HZ

Three tractors smooth out the dirt track at Belmont Park p: 123rf.com

Is This the Death of Synthetic Racing? August 2014 | 19 Economic Considerations... were reluctantly still betting them. Or they weren’t, and the absence There are a number of other major of their betting dollars was being economic considerations between made up by increased handle from dirt and synthetic tracks often existing bettors. An explanation is overlooked. These revolve around the two most important groups in ¿HOG VL]H %LJ ¿HOGV PHDQ EHWWHU UDFLQJKDQGLFDSSHUVDQGRZQHUV prices on individual horses, and a reason to spread deeper in Handicappers, whose betting exotic wagers. The Handicappers dollars drive the industry, are by Association of North America cited nature an opinionated group, and .HHQHODQG¶V¿HOGVL]HKRUVHV many have been very vocal in their per race--as a primary reason for dislike of synthetic tracks. Trainer Bob Hess summed it up when he naming Keeneland its top-rated told The Paulick Report in 2010, “My track in 2013...the sixth year in a horses are happy on [all-weather row it earned that distinction (all tracks], and they’re lasting a lot in the synthetic era). Field size at longer. My clients are getting more Woodbine the last two seasons, Reade Baker p: Horsephotos bang for their buck. But without meanwhile, averaged an impressive gamblers, we are nothing. The 8.7 horses per race. reality is the gamblers hate this shit.” “I think some The problem is, by the only two ,QFUHDVHG KDQGOH IURP H[LVWLQJ reliable metrics to gauge bettor handicappers is a hugely important of the loudest satisfaction--handle and attendance- factor in today’s racing , -it was never clear that gamblers, en and it equates to more money in the complainers masse, did hate synthetics. Keeneland kitty without having to rely on the and Del Mar registered new records elusive new customer. haven’t been in both categories in the synthetic era, despite 2008’s Great Recession Meanwhile, winning favorites able to affecting business everywhere. Del are coming in at roughly the same Mar’s top four days by attendance clip at synthetic and dirt tracks, KDYHFRPHLQWKHODVW¿YH\HDUVZKLOH indicating that the majority of adapt their the top seven days in Keeneland’s history by attendance came during KDQGLFDSSHUV KDYH DGMXVWHG ,Q handicapping WKHV\QWKHWLFHUD,Q.HHQHODQG 2013, the rates on prominent dirt established an all-sources handle WUDFNVZHUH&KXUFKLOO  6DQWD talents to Poly. record of $161 million. Anita (34%), Saratoga (33%). On SURPLQHQW V\QWKHWLFV WKH\ ZHUH At the end of the 2012 season, Some people can, Del Mar (31%), Keeneland (33%), The Blood-Horse reported about some people can’t, :RRGELQH³,WLVWKHIRXUWKFRQVHFXWLYH Woodbine (34%). year of handle increases on the and the ones Thoroughbred season. Wagering ³, WKLQN VRPH RI WKH ORXGHVW increased 7.5% in 2011 over 2010, complainers haven’t been able to who can’t want and improved 8.9% in 2010 over adapt their handicapping talents ,WDOVRLQFUHDVHGLQ to Poly,” said trainer Reade Baker. you to take the over 2008. All-sources wagering on “Some people can, some people Woodbine’s Thoroughbred racing can’t, and the ones who can’t want is up more than 34% since 2008, a you to take the track out. Some track out.” time period when many tracks saw people are obviously successful at wagering declines.” --Reade Baker it; we have the same percentage of This could be looked at two ways. favorites winning races. But those Either those who disliked synthetics guys who have the pen...”

Is This the Death of Synthetic Racing? August 2014 | 20 Owners & Attrition... All this speaks to one of racing’s Synthetics in New York? PRVW SUHVVLQJ LVVXHV WKH KLJK Maybe the big untold story of 2014 attrition rate of racehorses today. Are synthetic tracks dead? is the number of sophomore stars Few would argue that racing has a ,Q1RUWK$PHULFDDWOHDVWLWGRHVQ¶W problem keeping its stars healthy. Do look promising. By 2015, the number that have been, either permanently RIV\QWKHWLFWUDFNVZLOOQXPEHU¿YH or temporarily, sidelined by injury. synthetics help or hurt the cause? *ROGHQ*DWH3UHVTXH,VOH$UOLQJWRQ Park, Turfway and Woodbine--down Beginning with last year’s 2-year- Owner Bill Casner believes the old standouts, the list includes the from nine at the peak of the synthetic DQVZHU LV FOHDU GLUW WUDFNV DUH era. “We have no plans at this time [to RQHWZR LQ WKH *, %UHHGHUV¶ &XS harder on young horses, he says. change], but no racetrack wants to be Juvenile S., New Year’s Day and “Look at the attrition rate down at an island,” said Woodbine’s Stephen Havana *UDGH , ZLQQHUV Strong Palm Meadows this year,” Casner Koch. “The good news is that we run Mandate and Constitution, graded said. “Cairo Prince. Constitution. a long racemeet with high purses, so there are reasons for our horse winners Cairo Prince, Honor Honor Code. We were down at population to remain at Woodbine.” Code, Corfu and the late Intense Palm Meadows two years ago, and Holiday, as well as Triple Crown we did nothing but tear horses up. :KLOH WKRVH ¿YH WUDFNV FRXOG hopefuls like Top Billing. ,W ZDV WRXJK :H ZLQWHUHG LQ +RW remain synthetic for some time to Springs last year, and the same come, it’s hard to any dirt Of the 23 horses that were offered WKLQJ LW ZDV WRXJK RQ KRUVHV track to convert to a synthetic one Chips, bruised condyles, strained in the coming years. An asterisk to LQ WKH ¿UVW .HQWXFN\ 'HUE\ IXWXUH that, however, might come in an pool last November, just one, Ride VXVSHQVRULHV IRRW EUXLVLQJ ,W MXVW XQOLNHO\SODFH1HZ

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Is This the Death of Synthetic Racing? August 2014 | 21 “Until we start putting the horse and the jockey at the top of the pyramid, we’re an industry that’s destined for decline.” --Bill Casner

p: Horsephotos 1,192 Reasons... ,W¶VEHHQHLJKW\HDUVVLQFH%DUEDUR ,ZDQWHGWRHYHQEHLQYROYHG$VD broke down in the Preakness, fan, it’s just as devastating.” One thousand, one hundred and seven since George Washington QLQHW\WZR,IGLUWWUDFNVKDGWKHVDPH ,UH  EURNH GRZQ LQ WKH %UHHGHUV¶ According to the McKinsey & catastrophic breakdown rate as Cup Classic, and six since Eight Company report commissioned by synthetic tracks from 2009 through %HOOHVEURNHGRZQLQWKH'HUE\,Q The Jockey Club in 2011, only 35% 2013 (2.08 vs. 1.22), that’s roughly the aftermath of each, racing could of trackgoers consider themselves the number of horses whose lives point to progress that was being “proud to be a fan” of WKH VSRUW ,Q would have been saved during that made in safety at synthetic tracks $PHULFDQV EHW $15.1 billion. stretch. That means there would across the country. Now, as those By 2013, the number was down have been 1,192 fewer chances of tracks dwindle in number, some nearly a third, to $10.8 billion. Amid a jockey being thrown to the track, wonder if racing has put other national criticism over the way we and 1,192 fewer chances of a family priorities in front of the safety of its treat our horses, can racing hope to YLVLWLQJ WKH WUDFN IRU WKH ¿UVW WLPH participants, and how that will play regain lost market share if the public and seeing a horse put down. As into the long-term viability of the thinks we’re not making every effort it was, 2,882 Thoroughbreds died sport. to keep our athletes--equine and from injuries sustained while racing human--safe from harm? in that span. “Heaven forbid it happens, but if a horse breaks down at the eighth “We’ve been blind and arrogant,” These are the numbers that go pole at one of these tracks that are Casner warned. “We’ve been an through Bill Casner’s mind when he going back to dirt, you’ll have a large industry that’s never recognized hears people argue about synthetic number of people walk out of that the changing landscape of sports racetracks. track and vow never to come back,” HQWHUWDLQPHQW8QWLOZHVWDUWSXWWLQJ said Casner. “And they’ll tell their the horse and the jockey at the top “Synthetic surfaces have arguably IULHQGVWKHVDPHWKLQJ/LVWHQ,¶YH of the pyramid, we’re an industry saved the lives of hundreds and EHHQLQWKHJDPHVLQFH,ZDVDQG that’s destined for decline.” hundreds of horses,” said Casner. KDYHDQDELGLQJORYHIRULW%XW,¶YH “Not to mention the jockeys that KDG KRUVHV EUHDN GRZQ DQG , WHOO have been kept out of harm’s way.” you, it made me question whether

Is This the Death of Synthetic Racing? August 2014 | 22