CDI Revokes Broberg's Stabling, Entry Privileges

Churchill Downs Incorporated has revoked stabling and entry privileges of owner/trainer Karl Broberg at all its racetracks after a $10,000 claiming horse named Rockandahardplace  returned sore after a sixth-place finish a Sept. 18 at Churchill Downs.

A submitted claim by another owner for the 5-year-old gelding was voided after the race when the horse was declared lame by a Kentucky Horse Racing Commission veterinarian at the track's Test Barn. CDI then claims in a statement obtained by BloodHorse Sept. 25 that "the horse was returned to his stall by a paid hot-walker, but a subsequent investigation revealed that there was no responsible representative of the trainer on-site to make veterinary decisions or to take appropriate steps to protect the welfare of the injured horse."

In a Sept. 24 report by the Paulick Report's Natalie Voss, who first reported the ban, the Texas-based Broberg disputed that assertion.

"I am obviously appalled by the insinuation through the (CDI) press release that Rockandahardplace was improperly cared for," Broberg wrote via email to Paulick Report publisher Ray Paulick. "Rockandahardplace was evaluated and treated with bute and banamine following the race by a licensed veterinarian at our request. He was correctly diagnosed as having a medial sesamoid fracture which x-rays confirmed the following morning. He was sent to a farm the following morning to recover, and we can happily report aside from the injury he is in perfect health.

"We have kept the steward's office at Churchill apprised of his well-being."

Reached by telephone Sept. 25, Broberg provided only limited comments, saying, "It's in my best interest to leave it at what I already shared with Ray Paulick."

Broberg informed Paulick that the horse, which he owns, is now at a facility in Bedford, Ky., and is receiving stall rest under the care of a veterinarian. He tweeted Saturday that expects Rockandahardplace will need "six months off prior to either beginning his new career or resuming training."

"He's doing well. Just gonna need time," Broberg said Saturday during a brief conversation.

Broberg further told Paulick Report that Churchill officials appeared focused on the horse's injured leg not having been wrapped overnight on the evening of the race, but said wrapping wouldn't have been effective for the suspected injury. The horse was left in the Churchill receiving barn because he was too sore to immediately travel in a horse trailer, he added. 

Following CDI's ban, the trainer noted to Paulick Report that his allotment of stalls at Churchill Downs Trackside, Churchill's off-track training center, had not been kept full. Broberg regularly claims horses at multiple tracks across the country before shuttling them between circuits.

Running numerous divisions across the country, mostly filled with claiming horses, Broberg led all trainers in North American by wins from 2014-19. He won his 4,000th race as a trainer in June.

No stewards' ruling in the matter had been posted on the KHRC website as of Saturday. Broberg wrote to Paulick Report that he had been informed by the stewards that they are satisfied and do not plan on issuing any ruling in the case.

KHRC state steward Barbara Borden did not return a message seeking an update. Sherelle Roberts, a KHRC spokesperson, wrote in a text message the KHRC lets published rulings "speak for all stewards' actions." 

Suspensions issued via regulators, such as the KHRC, are honored in other jurisdictions due to reciprocity.

"Churchill Downs and the horse racing industry is committed to improving accountability when it comes to horse safety and racing integrity," read another portion of CDI's statement. "We place the highest priority on the health, welfare, and safety of our equine and human athletes, and we expect the same from people who race and train at any of our facilities."

"Meanwhile they have (Marcus) Vitali at Presque Isle like nothing's wrong in the world. It just doesn't make sense to me ... there has to be more to this," Broberg wrote to Paulick.

Vitali is a trainer with numerous violations and suspensions who did not have a starter from July 21, 2019, until Jan. 4. This year he has run horses at multiple racetracks, including, Presque Isle Downs, a CDI property. The New York Racing Association has scheduled a hearing for Vitali next month, which could lead to action to NYRA taking action suspending or banning Vitali from competition there. 

CDI's ban of Broberg could impact the trainer most at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, where he has typically run horses during the winter and spring months. He also operates a large division in Louisiana at Delta Downs, a Boyd Gaming-owned track.

Asked of next steps with CDI and the possibility of ongoing dialogue given his desire to compete at Fair Grounds, Broberg replied, "Obviously I would like for rationale to enter this discussion. I have nothing more to say than I already have."