NEWS
Sabini says surface debate a non-issue for New York
Posted: Friday, January 29, 2010 10:03 AM
by Paul Post
John Sabini, New York’s chief racing regulator, says the debate over synthetic versus dirt tracks is no longer an issue in his state.
Sabini co-chairs a state Task Force on Retired Race Horses, which met on Thursday in Schenectady, New York. Aside from promoting second careers for horses that no longer race, one of the panel’s goals was to study synthetic surfaces and make recommendations to the governor and state legislature.
“I don’t see this happening any time soon in New York, if at all,” Sabini said. “NYRA [the New York Racing Association] has expressed a dislike for synthetic surfaces. Finger Lakes doesn’t have one. I think the debate has basically been adjourned until there’s good evidence one way or the other. Results have been inconclusive.”
In August 2008, the task force hosted a symposium in Saratoga Springs, New York, with several hundred people on hand, where prominent trainers, jockeys, veterinarians, and racetrack executives weighed in on the debate. The issue rose to prominence following widely publicized breakdowns to high-profile horses such as Barbaro and Eight Belles.
Recently, Santa Anita Park in California announced plans to remove its synthetic Pro-Ride surface because of ongoing drainage problems. Del Mar has decided to keep its synthetic Polytrack surface.
“I think the debate [on synthetics] has been adjourned,” Sabini said.
Also at Thursday’s meeting, Sabini discussed how this spring’s trial of Thoroughbred owner Ernest Paragallo probably will raise awareness and prompt steps to improve Thoroughbred retirement programs.
A grand jury has indicted Paragallo on 35 counts of animal cruelty following the discovery of 177 starved, diseased Thoroughbreds last April at his Center Brook Farm in Climax, New York.
The panel is trying to develop programs and secure funding to give horses second careers after racing.
“There’s going to be lots more in the news about it,” Sabini said, referencing Paragallo’s trial. “When there’s lots more in the news, people come up with ideas. I think the audience is there.”
A number of high-profile celebrities such as model Christie Brinkley and renowned concert promoter Ron Delsener have already expressed interest in retirement programs. Sabini said Delsener has personal contacts with virtually every major figure in the music and entertainment business, which could be a valuable resource.
To date, most financial support has come from within the industry. Last summer, NYRA, The Jockey Club, New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, and New York’s jockey colony gave a combined $100,000 to the Saratoga Springs-based Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, which cares for about 1,300 horses in several states.
“But you can’t rely on donations alone,” foundation Executive Director Diana Pikulski said.
The panel also expressed hope that either New York Gov. David Paterson and Senate Racing, Wagering and Gaming Committee Chairman Eric Adams (D-Brooklyn) would introduce legislation that would dedicate a small percentage of racing handle and/or video gaming revenue to retirement programs. This would provide at least some guaranteed funding to supplement what the industry already provides.
New retirement programs have to be created because there are currently more horses than places to put them, he said.
“It’s important we have lots of different outlets,” Sabini said. “One isn’t going to cut it.”
Paul Post is a New York-based correspondent for Thoroughbred Times
