Status of Hollywood Park?

[Indian Charlie]

Originally Posted by freddymo

I understand your heart is in the right place and you care deeply for the animals that run to thrill us. What track is safe? What surface in your opinion should horses run on? Every single trainer I have ever spoken to suggests that syn/rubber surfaces are no safer then dirt.. Every single one has said that the soft tissue injuries are at least as harmful as dirt. I see horses falling cornering on turf, I have seen horses take bad steps in paddocks while bearly in a cantor, I have seen them break legs kicking the friggin PADDED stall, or crack there heads trying to get at something. Frankly, the game is what it is BRUTAL. Horses run hurt, they run medicated not to hurt, they run and get cups of dirt down there throat etc. It isn't a pretty sport and someone with your vast experience should know as such and have moved past it while always understanding to maintain a certain level of responsiblity to the horse.

I very much was in favor of Rubber tracks. I believed what was said about how much safer it was. i believed if the horses wherent hurt they would race more, fields would be fuller with healthier horses.It was all a lie and that is the crux of the issue NOT that gamblers like speed.. Gamblers like to gamble.

if Poly or Tapeta, cushion, pro ride or any other these marketing miracles would have proven themselves dont you think people would be lining up to applaud ANY of them? They failed to provide a safer surface for racing.They failed to require less maintenance and lastly they failed to enhance horse health..

The rubber surfaces are best suited as an alternate surface for training in very cold places.. Perhaps NYRA will install rubber on the Belmont training track so that when it is 0 degrees on a Feb morning horses can still work on a surface that isnt frozen.

Freddy, that is easily the best, and most coherent post I've ever read from you.

Well said!