Santa Anita could change surface...again
ARCADIA, CALIF. (AP) >> Santa Anita is looking into the possibility of removing its dirt surface, where the majority of the track’s 36 horse deaths since December have occurred, and going back to a synthetic surface.
That’s according to Dr. Dionne Benson, chief veterinary officer for The Stronach Group, which owns the track.
“We haven’t ruled anything out,” she said Wednesday.
The drastic measure is being explored as a way to curtail the spate of deaths at the track, which is hosting the Breeders’ Cup world championships this weekend for a record 10th time.
In 2007, Santa Anita installed a mixture of silica sand, synthetic fibers, elastic fiber and granulated rubber with a wax coating after the California Horse Racing Board mandated the change for all of the state’s thoroughbred racetracks.
The surface experienced drain
age problems the following year that cost the track 11 racing days and it was eventually replaced by another brand of synthetic that failed to perform adequately under the extreme temperatures in Arcadia.
Statistics showed synthetics reduced the number of equine fatalities in California.
However, trainers and bettors were among those opposing the surface change and Santa Anita returned to dirt in 2010.
Dr. Rick Arthur, the CHRB’s equine medical director, said Wednesday it would be up to track ownership with the consensus of the horsemen to change surfaces again.
“There were people that were unhappy with the track in spite of the rather remarkable (decrease in injury) numbers,” Arthur said of the first go-round.
Hollywood Park and its artificial surface went away in 2013 when the track closed. That forced the hand of Del Mar, north of San Diego, to return to dirt in 2015, leaving Stronachowned Golden Gate Fields in the San Francisco Bay area as the last remaining artificial track in the state.
Los Alamitos in Orange County races on dirt.
The failed experiment cost an estimated $40 million to install artificial surfaces statewide.
“It’s a huge undertaking to put in a synthetic surface and there’s some controversy with the trainers not all believing in the synthetic surfaces,” said Dr. Mick Peterson of the Racing Surfaces Testing Laboratory at the University of Kentucky.
Among the lessons learned from California’s initial attempt was that synthetic tracks could be inconsistent and challenging to maintain from morning training hours to afternoon racing. Heavy usage wore down the materials quickly, and more watering was often needed to obtain the correct consistency.
Track surface is just one factor that contributes to horse safety.
The Stronach Group ushered in changes in medication rules, new requirements for morning training, and added additional veterinary staff to increase examinations of horses before they race among other measures to improve horse safety after strong public outcry and criticism from Gov. Gavin Newsom.
The track will be under heavy scrutiny during 14 Breeders’ Cup races on Friday and Saturday in front of a national television audience.
“It’s very clear that horse racing, which is a traditional sport, has a new sense of openness, a new sense of transparency, and a willingness to change,” said Craig Fravel, president and CEO of Breeders’ Cup. “That’s the first step in getting something done.” fenses.
Arizona is coming off a 31-9 loss to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. That dud ended a threegame winning streak for the Cardinals, who knocked off the Bengals, Falcons and Giants in consecutive weeks before the setback in New Orleans.
Cardinals rookie quarterback Kyler Murray said that after Sunday’s poor performance, the team is eager to get back on the field, especially at home.
“That should be fun. Wearing all black, Thursday night, real first primetime game for us,” Murray said. “Just really trying to go out there and put on a show and protect home.”
CONDENSED SCHEDULE
The Niners took a different approach this week with a Thursday game. The coaches slept at the facility to get as much work on the game plan done as possible. For the players, sleep was the priority. San Francisco didn’t practice Monday and then had a walkthrough on Tuesday under the stadium lights rather than the usual afternoon practice.
“I feel like sleep is so important on these quick turnarounds, so we wanted the guys to sleep in a little bit more than usual,” coach Kyle Shanahan said.
Then the team planned a quick practice Wednesday before flying to Arizona.
RAGGED RUNNING GAME
Arizona’s three-game winning streak was built on a balanced offense, with the team leaning on the running back duo of David Johnson and Chase Edmonds.
Now both players are injured and the Cardinals have had to adjust in a hurry.
With Edmonds (hamstring) out and Johnson (ankle) questionable for Thursday’s game, the Cardinals traded for Kenyan Drake on Monday, giving up a conditional sixthround pick in 2020.
The 25-year-old Drake joins Alfred Morris and Zach Zenner, who were signed last week because of injuries, in the running back rotation. He’ll have to learn the offense in less than 72 hours to have an impact.
“It’s actually funny — the longest-tenured running back here who is healthy has been here in six days,” Drake said. “We’ve all got a learning curve, but we’re helping each other out.” BOSA VS. MURRAY This marks the first of what should be several meetings between the top two picks in the 2019 draft. Both teams are pleased with their choices with Murray off to a solid start in Arizona after being picked first and defensive end Nick Bosa dominating in San Francisco as the second pick. Bosa became the third rookie to get three sacks and an interception in a game last week against Carolina and now gets a tougher test chasing down the mobile Murray.
“I try to keep my eyes on my work, which is the offensive lineman, which helps me beat offensive linemen,” Bosa said. “But with a quarterback like this, you have to have eyes on the backfield and you have to know what his tendencies are when it comes to escaping so you can counter it.” CAREFUL CARDINALS Arizona has had no turnovers over the past four games, which is tied for the longest streak in franchise history.
The ball security is remarkable considering the Cardinals are playing with a rookie quarterback and several young players at other skill positions. Murray has thrown four interceptions this year and the Cardinals haven’t lost a fumble.
The four turnovers through eight games are the fewest in the NFL. SHERMAN VS. FITZ San Francisco cornerback Richard Sherman and Arizona receiver Larry Fitzgerald have had plenty of meetings over the years as NFC West rivals. The two have faced off 14 times since Sherman entered the league with Seattle in 2011 and are often matched up against each other. Fitzgerald has 77 catches for 882 yards and three TDs in those games and the two have formed a close relationship over that time.
“I appreciate going against him the most,” Sherman said. “He always gives great challenges.”