Racing! How about better accounting CHRB?

Hello, my name is John Cherwa and welcome back to our horse racing newsletter as the CHRB and Santa Anita do first attempts at damage control.

The recent spate of horse fatalities at Santa Anita is certainly cause for concern. In a stories we ran online and in print, it was pointed out that, based on stewards’ minutes, 16 horses had died at Santa Anita up until Feb. 10. That means it doesn’t include the three horses that died between Friday afternoon and Saturday morning. But it does include horses that died of non-exercise maladies. You can read the story here.

It’s a day later and finally we have the updated stats through Sunday:

--six deaths racing on the dirt.

--five deaths racing on the turf.

--seven training deaths on the dirt. (There is no turf training).

--That totals 18.

The California Horse Racing Board had a conference call with Santa Anita officials on Sunday and both entities issued statements. Let’s start with a slightly edited version of the CHRB statement.

“California Horse Racing Board representatives held a productive discussion with senior management of Santa Anita Park [Sunday] concerning the number of equine fatalities at the current meet.

“CHRB chairman Chuck Winner, vice-chair Madeline Auerbach, commissioner Alex Solis, and executive director Rick Baedeker participated in the conference call with Tim Ritvo, chief operating officer for The Stronach Group (TSG), and P.J. Campo, executive vice president of racing for TSG. Both of the racetrack executives expressed commitment to dealing with the current situation. All agreed that inclement weather creates additional challenges for track maintenance.

“CHRB will continue to monitor all aspects of Santa Anita’s racing program, as we do at all tracks, and work with Santa Anita management and horsemen to promote safer racing.”

And Santa Anita followed with its statement, also slightly edited:

“In conjunction with the CHRB, Santa Anita Park has announced its main track will be closed for training beginning at 9 a.m. on Monday and all day Tuesday in order to fully evaluate sub-surface conditions such as moisture content and soil consistency. If the results of these efforts indicate the track is in prime condition, regularly scheduled training will resume Wednesday morning and live racing will proceed on Thursday.

“In order to accommodate horsemen [Monday], the main track will open for training beginning at 5 a.m., with two regular renovations scheduled at 6 a.m. and 7:15 a.m. Santa Anita’s training track will be open each morning as planned, at 4:45 a.m. and will stay open until 10:30 a.m.

“Track superintendent Andy LaRocco, in addition to performing all regularly scheduled maintenance on the dirt oval, will examine the entire track surface and if any issues are found, he will address those areas.

“Although Santa Anita has experienced 11 ½ inches of rain and near-record cold temperatures this month, dry weather and more moderate temperatures are forecast for the next several days, which will enable LaRocco’s crew to ‘peel back’ the track’s cushion to a depth of approximately five inches, where a thorough examination of the base can be undertaken.

“Mick Peterson, who serves as director of the University of Kentucky’s Agricultural Equine programs, and who evaluates soil samples from Santa Anita on a monthly basis, will be on-site in the coming days to review Santa Anita’s sub-surface and surface data. Peterson will also be working with a newly formed committee consisting of Hall of Fame retired jockey Alex Solis, … one well-established Southern California trainer, one active jockey and one member of Santa Anita’s management team to fully evaluate all data and monitor feedback from horsemen, including trainers, jockeys and exercise riders.

“Santa Anita’s main track surface … is tested and evaluated on a daily basis by both Santa Anita and the CHRB.”

The track was originally supposed to be closed all day on Monday, but as Jeremy Balan from the Bloodhorse wrote, (you can read here) Ritvo gave in to trainers such as Bob Baffert, Jerry Hollendorfer and others who said they had important workouts and were comfortable racing over the surface.

This is a real test of leadership. If you are Santa Anita (and Ritvo), how will you reconcile opening the track on Monday, and, heaven forbid, there is a breakdown and through a soil analysis find out there was an irregularity that has been a contributing factor to the break downs?

Let’s really, really hope he doesn’t find out.

Now, let’s veer off the main point and get to another one.

One of the alarming things was that no one was able to provide us with accurate, up-to-the-minute stats on fatalities on Saturday.

Every time a horse goes down, Dr. Rick Arthur, the state’s top equine vet, the stewards and others get notified, but yet no one has the numbers? Would it be so hard to get a white board, some markers and an eraser that breaks down dirt vs. turf, racing vs. training and “other”? Or use one of those fancy computer programs like Excel, which is celebrating its 40^th anniversary?

I was warned by a few people, including CHRB reps, that the only figures I had access to on Saturday--the stewards’ minutes, usually two weeks late--also include illness and other things such as barn accidents listed under fatalities.

Let’s think about this, the CHRB is, in essence, saying that the stats their own stewards provide in their minutes are not a true representation of what is happening. Soooooooooo, maybe the CHRB could just ask the stewards to amend how they report fatalities and add those categories that are eventually part of the CHRB annual report.

I know what they are going to say. These results—and the only real squishy category is “other”—are preliminary pending necropsies. OK, then just say preliminary and amend as needed.

Currently, this is what the reporting looks like. This is the actual report from Feb. 10:

SANTA ANITA PARK - VETERINARIAN REPORT - Week of: 2/04/19 - 2/10/19

Horses on Vet List 8

Horses off Vet List 7

Shock Wave Therapy 17

Fatalities 1

Let’s just make something up on what a horrific week might look like with slightly adjusted reporting:

Fatalities* 1rd, 1rt, 1t, 1o.

*Results are preliminary.

It’s not that difficult. It could be done today. How about it, chairman Winner or Executive Director Baedeker? I’m guessing chief steward Darrell McHargue could even authorize this. Any of you, or all of you, can say it’s your idea and has been discussed for a long time. I’m good with that.

Deeper in the stats

Arthur, and Ritvo were quick to point out that last year was the safest in about a quarter-of-a-century and that it would be difficult to run against such numbers. So, again there were 16 deaths (including non-exercise) through the first seven weeks of the meeting. Here are some other years, through seven weeks:

2016-17: 6

2015-16: 12

2014-15: 15

2013-14: 15

2012-13: 13

And, even though they contain non-racing deaths, it’s still an apples to apples comparison (up to Feb. 10.) Now, the numbers we presented up front were not apples but oranges because they didn’t include the “other” category. So, maybe one reporting system would help, too.

Santa Anita review

The feature was the $100,000 Spring Fever Stakes, a six-furlong race for Cal-bred older fillies and mares. And, it was a stirring stretch drive. Show It N Moe It took the early as S Y Sky was content to sit off the pace. By the stretch S Y Sky had moved even and took the lead in mid-stretch. But, Show It N Moe It showed some real courage as she battled back to win by ¾ length.

Show It N Moe It paid $4.00, $2.20 and $2.10. Coco Kisses was third followed by Barbara Beatrice and Into Rissa in the five-horse race.

“I’ve been doing this for 40 years and I never like being on the rail,” winning trainer Gary Sherlock told Mike Willman of Santa Anita. “I don’t like the one-hole under any conditions. I think the reason she was getting out there going to the far turn was that she’s never not had a horse inside of her to run with. She overcame it and with her, the results are incredible. We’re hoping to have a big year with her. She ran against older horses last year and now she’s doing so well.”

Jockey Rafael Bejarano described it this way.

“She always tries really hard and she always wants to be on the lead,” Bejarano said. “This was the first time she’s ever had to be on the inside though, and she freaked out a little being on the lead down inside. … In the beginning, I had to use her a bit and I think six and a half or seven furlongs are better distances for her, but she still got it done.”

Big races review

A look at graded stakes or races worth more $100,000 or more on Sunday.

Sunland (9): $100,000 Mine That Bird Derby, 3-year-olds, 1 1/16 miles. Winner: Hustle Up ($7.00)

Santa Anita (8): $100,000 Spring Fever Stakes, Cal-bred fillies and mares, 6 furlongs. Winner: Show It N Moe It ($4.00)

Final thought

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Any thoughts, you can reach me at johnacherwa@gmail.com. You can also feed my ego by following me on Twitter @jcherwa

Now, here’s the star of the show, Sunday’s results.

PALADAR had speed between horses then angled in and set the pace inside, responded when challenged on the backstretch and second turn, came a bit off the rail in the stretch, inched away while pushed along with hand urging nearing midstretch and won clear under a moderate hand ride and a long hold late. MIDCOURT pulled along the inside and was in a bit tight nearing the first turn, saved ground stalking the pace, was in a bit tight again into the second turn, came out in upper stretch and gained the place. VICTORY ELEMENT stalked off the rail, bid outside the winner on the backstretch and second turn and into the stretch, angled to the inside in midstretch and held third. CARIBBEAN (AUS) stalked inside then between horses, continued outside a rival on the second turn and into the stretch and weakened. JUSTIN'S QUEST in a good position stalking the pace outside a rival then three deep, dropped back leaving the second turn, came out into the stretch, gave way and was eased in the lane.

NATIONS HOPE stalked inside then a bit off the rail leaving the backstretch, bid three wide leaving the second turn, took a short lead in the stretch, inched away under urging in deep stretch and held gamely. JONATHANTOQUICK saved ground chasing the pace, came out into the stretch and finished well to just miss. MIDNIGHT ROAMER stalked three deep then outside a rival, bid outside the pacesetter leaving the backstretch and between foes leaving the second turn, put a head in front into the stretch, fought back between rivals in midstretch and just held third. MULZOFF sped to the early lead, angled in and set the pace inside, fought back leaving the backstretch and on the second turn and into the stretch, battled along the rail past midstretch and was edged for the show. NEW SALUTE settled off the rail then outside a rival into the second turn, angled to the inside past midway on that turn, came out past midstretch and was edged for a minor award three deep on the line. SPECTATOR'S DREAM stalked between horses then outside a rival or off the rail on the backstretch, dropped back on the second turn and weakened. SOONER BETTER stumbled badly at the start and had the rider lose the right iron, regained the iron nearing the first turn, chased inside, moved up along the rail into the second turn, steadied off heels leaving that turn to drop back again and had little left for the stretch.

GYPSY BLU stalked outside a rival then off the rail, came three wide into the stretch, took the lead outside a rival nearing midstretch, kicked clear under urging and held. TINY TINA settled off the rail, angled to the inside on the hill, came out crossing the dirt and three deep into the stretch and gained the place. SHEZA CHATTYKAT had speed three deep then inched away, set the pace a bit off the rail, drifted in and fought back in midstretch and just held third. TAKE A LEAP bobbled slightly at the start, settled off the inside then angled in and saved ground off the pace, came out in midstretch and was edged for the show. MADAKET SUNSET broke in a bit, was sent along inside then stalked outside a rival, was between horses into the stretch and weakened. OPERANDI stalked a bit off the rail then inside to the stretch and also weakened. Rail on hill at zero.

UNO TROUBLE MAKER angled in and dueled outside a rival, edged clear and angled in on the turn and drew off under a steady hand ride. BABY ICE bobbled slightly at the start, chased between horses then outside a rival, continued off the rail on the turn and three wide into the stretch and held second. MISTRESSOFTHENIGHT squeezed some at the start, angled in and saved ground chasing the pace throughout and was outfinished for the place. BE A LADY also squeezed a bit at the start, settled inside, came out on the turn and three wide into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. RED SHELBY three deep early, chased off the rail, went outside a rival on the turn, continued just off the fence into the stretch and weakened. NO WINE UNTASTED broke out a bit, went up inside to duel for the lead, stalked on the turn, came out into the stretch and also weakened.

KITTY BOOM BOOM stalked three deep then outside a rival, went three wide into the second turn, continued alongside a foe leaving that turn, came out in the stretch and rallied under left handed urging to collar the runner-up in deep stretch and proved best. LUCKY LATELY sped to the early lead, set the pace along the inside, held on well to deep stretch, fought back late but could not quite match the winner. GOODTINGSCOMINPINK angled in and chased inside, split horses on the second turn and again into the stretch, came out in midstretch and gained the show. STYLIN OCEAN pulled a bit and stalked just off the rail to the stretch and lacked the needed late kick. RUBY BRADLEY three deep into the first turn, chased outside a rival then three wide into and on the second turn and into the stretch and did not rally. SPANISH CHANNEL stalked a bit off the rail then between foes, angled to the inside into the stretch and weakened. SHANGHAI BARBIE saved ground stalking the pace, dropped back on the second turn and had little left for the stretch.

SHEER FLATTERY stalked a bit off the rail then between horses, came out five wide into the stretch, bid outside foes in midstretch, gained the lead under urging in deep stretch and gamely prevailed. SECRET TOUCH sent to the early lead, angled in and dueled inside, came out into the stretch, fought back between foes through the final furlong and went willingly to the wire. HE WILL saved ground stalking the pace, bid inside in a bit tight through the final furlong and continued gamely. VERY VERY STELLA settled off the rail, swung five wide into the stretch and finished with interest. AVANTI BELLO stalked between horses then dueled between foes, was fanned out a bit into the stretch, drifted in late and was outfinished. CABIN JOHN stalked four wide then dueled three deep, came four wide into the stretch and weakened. BISTRAYA reluctant to load and off a step slowly, went four wide on the first turn then stalked three deep, came out six wide into the stretch and also weakened.

KAZAN (IRE) chased three deep then outside a rival, went up four wide on the second turn and into the stretch, rallied under left handed urging and got up in the final stride. START A RUNNIN sped to the early lead, set the pace inside, came a bit off the rail into the stretch, drifted out some from the whip in the final furlong and held on well but was caught on the line. MAGIC MUSKETIER angled in and settled off the pace inside, came a bit off the rail leaving the backstretch, swung four wide into the stretch and finished well. INCREDIBLE LUCK saved ground stalking the pace throughout, bid along the rail in the drive and was edged for third. TEQUILA JOE pulled some and stalked a bit off the rail then inside, came out leaving the second turn and three deep into the stretch and was outfinished. CIMPL MAN three deep early, stalked outside a rival, split horses three wide on the second turn and into the stretch and lacked the needed late kick. INVASION LOOMING hopped slightly at the start, stalked a bit off the rail then outside a rival, was between foes leaving the second turn and into the stretch and weakened some in the final furlong.

SHOW IT N MOE IT drifted out early and dueled off the rail, lugged out wide into the turn, angled back in between foes then dueled outside the runner-up leaving the turn, fought back under urging in the stretch, regained the advantage in deep stretch and gamely prevailed. S Y SKY stalked off the rail, angled in and bid inside on the turn to gain the lead, battled along the rail, fought back inside in the final furlong and continued willingly to the end. COCO KISSES dueled outside the winner, was fanned five wide into the turn, angled in and battled three deep then stalked off the rail leaving the turn and three deep into the stretch and held third. BARBARA BEATRICE bobbled some at the start, angled in and saved ground chasing the pace throughout and lacked a rally. INTO RISSA angled in and chased outside a rival on the backstretch and turn and into the stretch and weakened in the final furlong.

COMBAT ZONE stalked inside then a bit off the rail, bid outside the pacesetter on the second turn, took the lead leaving that turn, kicked clear under urging in the drive, drifted in late and proved best. SINGLE ME OUT stalked three deep then outside a rival, came three wide into the stretch and edged foes for the place. HOLY GHOST angled in and settled off the pace inside, came out leaving the second turn and four wide into the stretch and got up late for third. HONOR GUARD stalked a bit off the rail then inside, came out into the stretch, split horses in midstretch and was edged for the show. TASTEMAKER angled in and settled outside a rival chasing the pace, came out on the second turn and four wide into the stretch and put in a late bid at a minor award. ARMED WALL sped to the early lead, angled in and set the pace inside, fought back along the rail leaving the second turn and weakened in the final furlong. AUSSIE FOX dwelt to be away behind the field, settled inside then a bit off the rail, came out into the stretch, steadied off heels in midstretch, came out again and lacked the needed rally. SUPER TERRIFIC chased three deep then outside a rival, came out into the stretch and could not offer the necessary response. SUPER CLASSIC saved ground stalking the pace, cut the corner into the stretch and lacked the needed late kick. WHY NOT US stalked between horses then a bit off the rail, found the inside on the second turn, came out some in the drive and weakened.