HorseRacing
"Maryland to Conduct Nationwide Search for New Track Superintendent"
2024-12-04
On Tuesday, just two weeks after two horses died on Laurel Park's dirt surface and not even 24 hours after Laurel announced its track superintendent would be retiring immediately, the head of the new non-profit organization that will run both Laurel and Pimlico Race Course starting in 2025 addressed the Maryland Racing Commission. An immediate search is underway for an expert to quell the main-track woes that have intermittently plagued Laurel the past two decades.

Key Challenges and Recent Incidents

After years of freeze/thaw and drainage troubles, Laurel's main track was closed for five months in 2021 for an emergency rebuild. But within weeks of its opening as the weather turned colder, eight horses died from fractures. The fatality spike quieted for more than a year, then in April 2023, five more main-track equine fatalities caused the track to close again. Since November 17, there have been two reported equine fatalities at Laurel. One was Calle de Oro, a 2-year-old colt, and the other was Overwish, a 3-year-old filly. Trainer Gary Capuano also reported an incident during a morning workout.After the fatalities, there were clashing ideas between jockeys and track management, leading to the cancellation of three programs. The interim replacement for the retired track superintendent is Danny Finke, who has 40 years of experience on Maryland track crews.

Investigations and Data Gathering

The national Racing Surfaces Testing Laboratory will be at Laurel on December 4 to do biomechanical hoof testing. Samples from the track's cushion are being tested by outside labs to compare with previous safe versions and other comparable tracks. The necropsy report of Overwish was delivered yesterday, and Maryland's safety and welfare committee is scheduled to review it on Thursday. Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority has inspected Laurel's surface and found no glaring inconsistencies. The track has been able to handle four days of racing in a row without any safety incidents.

Management Transition and Stakeholder Perspectives

With the management transition looming from 1/ST Racing to the non-profit team on January 1, 2025, all stakeholders are urged to consider the complexity of racetrack accidents. David Richardson, the executive director of the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, emphasized the concern with the new material added a few weeks ago. Trainer Gary Capuano said the problems at Laurel are not persistent but have been ongoing. He noted that maintaining a racetrack is far from simple and that technology is helpful but not a substitute for the experience of the track crew. "We want a safe track," Richardson continued. "We want to work with Maryland Jockey Club and have a safe track. [But] there is still some concern amongst people as to where we stand."Capuano summed up by saying, "Things are going to happen. But if we have the confidence that we send [horses] out there and [management's] done the best they can, that's all we're looking for."
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