Racing Resumes at Laurel Dec. 16 Amid Positive Reports

Hearing positive reviews of changes to the Laurel Park main track, the Maryland Racing Commission took no action to delay racing during its Dec. 14 meeting, allowing racing to resume Dec. 16.

Racing was canceled at the Maryland track earlier this month amid reports of track problems after a spike in equine fatalities there in November. It was the second time this year that racing at Laurel was halted following an initial spring setback. Racing then moved to Pimlico Race Course for an extended meet while Laurel underwent a multi-million dollar track renovation project. The Maryland Jockey Club, owned by The Stronach Group, operates both tracks.

During a previous commission meeting this month, Thursday had been targeted for a resumption of racing, but only if horsemen, track officials, and the commission were satisfied that problems with the surface had been rectified. Following consultation with track specialists Dennis Moore, Glen Kozak, John Passero, and Mick Peterson, it was determined Laurel lacked the necessary "pad," or compressed cushion, and needed more "body" for winter racing. Those concerns were addressed, as was a depression near the toteboard.

The track re-opened for workouts Dec. 10, said Mike Rogers, president of racing at MJC, and since that time, more than 250 horses have breezed over the track.

"We have added about 1,200 tons of coarse sand," he said. "So we have seen dramatic improvement in the cushion during these colder temperatures."

Following Rogers' comments, Michael Algeo, MRC chairperson, opened the Tuesday videoconferenced meeting to input from horsemen and track experts. Praise of the changes was consistent.

Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association president Timothy Keefe said trainers are "seeing a different racetrack out here," and jockeys Xavier Perez and Victor Carrasco expressed similar views. Perez called the track "20 times better than what it was."

Keefe encouraged MJC track superintendent Chris Bosley to continue utilizing resources, mentioning Kozak and Moore. Kozak is senior vice president of operations and capital projects for the New York Racing Association, while Moore is the track superintendent at Santa Anita Park and Del Mar.

"I want to be the best I possibly can, you know, for you guys and for this track and for the jockeys and the horsemen," Bosley replied. "I said that from the very beginning that the No. 1 priority is we take care of the horses, the horses take care of the jockeys, and so on and so forth."

MRC member Dr. Tom Bowman, who chairs the MRC's Equine Health, Safety, and Welfare Advisory Committee, believes racetrack culture is improving in transparency and communication, with additional room to grow. He specifically mentioned the process by which information filters to the commission and Dr. Elizabeth "Libby" Daniel, state veterinarian for the Maryland Racing Commission.

"One of the things that bothered me the most—still bothers me—is the fact that this last collection of tragedies should have been forewarned when the horsemen started screaming that the racetrack was too fast," he said.

He pledged weekly updates between veterinarians and the racing commission with the aim to isolate trends. Trainers are to communicate injuries to regulatory veterinarians.

Laurel, which last ran Nov. 28, drew sizable fields this past weekend for its Thursday and Dec. 17 programs. The Dec. 18 card, drawn Dec. 15, is to include the $100,000 Maryland Juvenile and $100,000 Maryland Juvenile Fillies, both postponed from their initial Dec. 4 run dates.