Racing Safety to Be Studied in California

The California legislature passed a bill last month that will specifically deal with the same racing safety questions that were raised after the death of Go For Wand at the Breeders’ Cup Saturday at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y.

The bill, signed Sept. 24, requires the California Horse Racing Board to compile statistics on “injuries, fatalities and comparative accident rates for all racing and training venues . . . and to include recommendations concerning . . . safety.” The bill goes into effect Jan. 1.

The Belmont racing surface came under scrutiny after a rash of injuries at the track last weekend. Track officials called it an unfortunate coincidence, but some trainers were critical of the surface.

“Using Belmont as an example, if that were to happen in California, the CHRB might say that the track surfaces need to be looked at,” said Sue Ross, the legislative liaison for the CHRB. “But we don’t have any geological engineers on our board. We would have to hire someone to do that.”

Richard E. Floyd (D-Carson) sponsored the bill, which was opposed by the California Horse Racing Board. Floyd and the board traditionally have been adversaries. Last month, Floyd asked the district attorney of Sacramento to investigate the CHRB for allegedly holding secret meetings. That investigation is under way.

Ross said, however, that the CHRB’s opposition was based on a lack of funding.

“Even though it’s a good idea and the board is in favor of anything that would improve the industry, there simply wasn’t any money allocated for it,” Ross said.

“We’ve got to implement this January 1, which means the first report is due in January, 1992. But right now, we don’t have a person, we don’t have a dollar, we don’t have a dime. That’s scary.”

Ross estimated that the program will cost $125,000 a year.