Belterra, Horsemen Agree on Track Resurfacing
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Photo: Tom LaMarra
Belterra Park Gaming in Ohio
Management and horsemen at Belterra Park Gaming met the morning of May 12 and agreed the main track needs to be resurfaced only two weeks after the meet began.
"The issue is the track needs more surface on it," said Dave Basler, executive director of the Ohio Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association. "It's a sand-based racetrack, but the track is too hard right now. It will take the better part of three days to get the new surface down and graded, so hopefully we'll be able to run (May 19, the next regularly scheduled race day)."
The final four races of the Ohio track's May 8 program were canceled because of a "management decision" triggered by a breakdown-marred fourth race.
In the third race May 8, Twentycarattenpin, ridden by Albin Jiminez, fell while on the lead in the stretch. Jiminez has since ridden at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino. In the fourth race, Glint, ridden by John McKee, broke down on the far turn, and soon after Mr. Mostly, ridden by Samuel Bermudez broke down exiting the far turn, according to the official charts for the race.
Jeff Johnston, a regional manager for the Jockeys' Guild, said McKee had planned to take off the rest of his mounts before racing canceled, and that he was awaiting an update on Bermudez.
The Cincinnati area has had precipitation on nine days since the meet began April 29; that situation has kept the track maintenance crew from performing extensive work on the surface. And it's expected to rain again on and off through May 15.
Basler said Belterra Park owner Pinnacle Entertainment will get material from a different supplier and have it laboratory tested to ensure its 95% sand and 5% clay. The current material, he said, has 6%-7% silt.
"Training will be day-by-day until they start putting the new surface down," Basler said. "We will make up the lost racing days, which we would prefer to add to the end of the meet. We'll also be making up the four races (from May 8) by adding an extra race to four cards if entries allow."