Laurel to Resume Racing After Surface Evaluated by HISA

Laurel Park is scheduled to resume racing on Thanksgiving, Nov. 28, after canceling racing over track surface concerns when it was last scheduled to race Nov. 22-23.

According to a release distributed by the Maryland track last week, it canceled racing this past Friday shortly before the opening race after speaking with its jockeys who had expressed concerns about riding over the main track following overnight snow and afternoon rain. The action also came after a horse was injured while training at the track last week.

Following the cancellations, a track inspection conducted by a member of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority's Track Surface Advisory Group identified no surface-related issues of immediate concern, per a statement by a HISA spokesperson.

According to trainer Katy Voss, president of the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, an unidentified horse was injured during training the morning of Nov. 27 at Laurel Park. She also said that Wednesday morning, an unidentified rider was injured and hospitalized in a separate incident unrelated to the track surface. That horse was OK, according to Voss.

Spikes of horse breakdowns are often multifactorial.

In its evaluation Monday, "The HISA team reviewed the data collected against previously recorded data and that data showed there were no inconsistencies," the HISA spokesperson continued. "HISA shared the initial findings with Maryland Jockey Club executives. However, it was MJC's decision to reopen for training. HISA will continue to support the MJC as it looks for the cause of today's horse injury."

Track officials met late Wednesday morning with horsemen and jockeys, and the track announced a resumption of racing hours afterward.

Voss said horsemen are "gun shy" and noted "a couple of incidents lately that have really alarmed people." But she said she is satisfied with the efforts of HISA and track staff in monitoring the track.

She said views are mixed from horsemen on the condition of the surface. Some have critiqued the track's cushion, she said.

"There's been times in the past where it's a lot worse than it is right now," she said. "I mean, I worked some horses this morning and everything, and my riders thought it felt all right."

Voss and Dave Joseph, vice president of communications/media for the MJC, both said the Laurel Park track would be sealed overnight in anticipation of overnight rain. Voss added there would be no training in the morning due to the sealed surface.

Like other tracks that race on Thanksgiving, Laurel Park has an early post time for racing on the holiday. First post is 11:25 a.m. ET.