[Kasept]

Horsemen dismayed by Stronach's stance
By Steve Andersen

http://www.drf.com/news/article/111176.html

ARCADIA, Calif. - Comments by Santa Anita chairman Frank Stronach that he intends to retain the track's troubled synthetic surface were met with disappointment Wednesday by some horsemen who would like the track to return to a dirt surface.

Darrell Vienna, the Southern California vice president of the California Thoroughbred Trainers, said his organization wants the existing Pro-Ride surface replaced in the near future. "The CTT has taken an official position for a return to dirt and anti-synthetic in general," Vienna said Wednesday. "What we all want is the safest surface we can get, whether it's synthetic or dirt. At this point, our members want a new natural dirt surface. The synthetic track has failed us in too many regards." Vienna said the CTT wants to "uncouple" Stronach's wish for deregulation in racing with the issue of racing surfaces, adding, "I don't want to minimize his concern for deregulation."

"The whole thing with the track surface was a surprise," said owner Arnold Zetcher, a member of the Thoroughbred Owners of California's board of directors. Zetcher said he is most concerned with safety, regardless of the type of surface used at Santa Anita. "After the Breeders' Cup, the sentiment was to stay" with synthetics, Zetcher said. "Then, the sentiment went to dirt. It shouldn't be about sentiments, it should be what's best for horses."