Questioning the due course of afforded proprietor/coach Karl Broberg when Churchill Downs Inc. barred him this fall from competitors in any respect of its tracks, the Louisiana State Racing Fee unanimously handed a movement throughout its Oct. 26 assembly authorizing his participation at CDI-owned Truthful Grounds Race Course & Slots so long as he has a sound Louisiana license and isn’t suspended.
CDI’s ban as a property proprietor got here final month when it revoked his stabling and entry privileges in any respect its tracks after his $10,000 claiming horse Rockandahardplace returned sore after a sixth-place finish Sept. 18 at Churchill Downs.
A submitted declare by one other proprietor for the 5-year-old gelding was voided after the race when the horse was declared lame by a Kentucky Horse Racing Fee veterinarian on the observe’s take a look at barn. The next week, CDI reported in a press release that “the horse was returned to his stall by a paid hot-walker, however a subsequent investigation revealed that there was no accountable consultant of the coach on-site to make veterinary selections or to take applicable steps to guard the welfare of the injured horse.”
Broberg, who runs a big, multi-state operation, disputed CDI’s foundation for neglect, telling Paulick Report {that a} veterinarian handled the horse for his damage following the race. Rockandahardplace was left within the Churchill receiving barn as a result of he was too sore to journey instantly, he famous.
Zoe Metz, daughter of Jeff Metz, who initially skilled Rockandahardplace on the West Coast, tweeted Sept. 26 of the gelding’s retirement, noting he’ll keep at a rehabilitation facility in Tennessee “till he is in a position to make it again to California again to our house.” She thanked “everybody for all their help make this occur, together with Karl Broberg.”
Talking throughout their October assembly, commissioners pressed CDI’s counsel, Haley Nix, as as to if Broberg had been suspended by Kentucky stewards or by the Kentucky Horse Racing Fee. He has not been. Selections by regulators carry reciprocity, not like selections by non-public property homeowners.
Nix mentioned CDI was inside its rights to disclaim him entry to Truthful Grounds, citing Louisiana laws concerning people that “would disrupt or intervene or hinder the orderly conduct of the enterprise of horse racing” whether or not that conduct occurred at a “racetrack in Louisiana or elsewhere.”
Commissioners felt the matter ought to have come earlier than Kentucky officers or state stewards in Louisiana, who may study the findings and make a advice to the fee for a willpower.
Commissioners declined to listen to feedback on videoconference from Dr. Will Farmer, equine medical director for CDI. They mentioned they’d settle for a written assertion as a part of an affidavit for the report.
In different Tuesday motion by the LSRC, commissioners authorized an extension of daytime racing at Delta Downs of as much as 30 days whereas the observe improves its new racetrack lighting system, which jockeys really feel is unsatisfactory. The complete 30 days will not be wanted based mostly on estimates from observe and development officers.
The Vinton, La., racetrack canceled two days of racing amid expressed lighting issues after a spill there Oct. 15.
Plans name for including non permanent lights to fill in blind spots and shadows earlier than a everlasting repair takes place, requiring an estimated six weeks. Commissioners urged a unified effort from observe workers, horsemen, and jockeys to handle the lighting, recommending a evaluate by riders on horseback.
Night time racing at Delta Downs
The LSRC additionally authorized an fairness buy settlement for Rubico Acquisition Company to accumulate Louisiana Downs and deferred till later within the yr a vote on a CDI request to scale back the variety of race days from 80 to 76 at Truthful Grounds. Its meet begins in late November.
Jason Boulet, senior director of racing at Truthful Grounds, mentioned the New Orleans observe has 104 fewer stalls on its backstretch after two barns have been broken past restore throughout Hurricane Ida in late August. The storm and its aftermath additionally destroyed the observe’s tote board, requiring the observe to make the most of a brief one for its upcoming meet. Among the different areas of the observe are presently below restore, such because the silks and jockeys’ room.
He mentioned observe officers had a disappointing yr recruiting horses, noting fewer trainers and decreased stall purposes partially brought on by elevated competitors from Oaklawn Park in Arkansas and strict COVID-19 well being mandates in New Orleans. Purses are additionally increased up at winter tracks in different elements of the nation, together with on the CDI-owned Turfway Park in Northern Kentucky.
Truthful Grounds and LSRC officers anticipate quickly including historic horse racing gaming at tracks and off-track betting parlors in Louisiana. The units have been a boon for purses in Kentucky, although Kentucky doesn’t have the widespread on line casino playing Louisiana does.
