CA Senator calls for CHRB chairman to resign over polytrack

[CA Michael]

Several weeks ago, the California Horse Racing Board denied a request from Bay Meadows for an exemption from its mandate requiring the installation of an artificial racing surface. The denial came on a 4-2 vote.

Predictably, Bay Meadows retaliated. Track president JACK LIEBAU convinced the state senator from that district to introduce a Resolution calling for the resignation of CHRB chairman Richard Shapiro. On Monday, April 9, the Senate Rules Committee will conduct a hearing on this resolution.

I hope anyone associated with CA racing will contact their state senator about this self-serving action. Why should Bay Meadows be treated any differently than other track? Artificial tracks SAVE LIVES, SAVE MONEY and may SAVE RACING! Liebau should be burned at the stake for placing his own greedy motives above the interests of the horses, owners and fans.

Here are some facts I obtained through the CHRB today:

At Bay Meadows, through the first 23 days of racing there were 12 fatalities at Bay Meadows and another 3 serious injuries. I am told that the number today is 16 fatalities. It should also be noted that they only have 800 horses stabled at Bay Meadows, and shorter fields, not 1900 horses stabled at Hollywood Park.

During the Fall Hollywood Park Meeting very few fatal breakdowns were reported during racing, and there have been none during the first 3 months of this year during training of nearly 2000 horses.

If this isn't reason enough to support the CHRB in its determination to make for better racing, I don't know what is.

Go to your phone book, look up the name and phone of your State Senator, call and ask him/her to VOTE AGAINST Senator Lee's resolution. Please do it NOW!!!

THANK YOU.

[angelsprite]

CA,
Sounds like "politics" to me. "Many blood sucking parasites." As Kinky Friedman described them. But, the jury really is still out on polytrack. There is some statistical indications that it may not weather well, and may compact over time to be harder than the original dirt surfaces. On the other hand, these statistics are based on break-downs during race meets and may simply indicate over-use of meds, nerving, or other illegal practices contributing to break-downs. Perhaps trainers think they can do more medicating on polytrack and are going overboard.
Whatever the problems, there appear to be some problems. Polytrack may or may not be the answer.
With regard to why Bay Meadows should be the only track to do without polytrack, perhaps the reasons they hesitate should be explored. If they simply do not have the funding to install it, should they be shut down? Or should they be allowed to continue with the old surface? I don't know the situation, but I would venture to guess there is more to it than just stubborn bullheadedness.

[zinn21]

Bay Meadows contends that closing down will not add a synthetic surface to NorCal racing; that their dates will be run on dirt surfaces.

The horseman are not happy about moving around from one racing venue to another for short periods.

Magna has recently sent mixed messages regarding Dixon Downs-all just weeks prior to the referendum vote.

NorCal racing is in flux to say the least...

Here's what I'd like to see happen with the est. 100 days Bay Meadows loses:

1. Run a meet at GGF from late October/early November thru mid May. (Their all weather surface would serve racing best by running during this period.)

2. Run a 20 day spring meet at Pleasanton from mid May through mid June.

3. Run three week P Town fair meet following the 20 day spring meet (extra week added due to loss of BM fair dates.)

4. Run Stockton meet next.

5. Run Vallejo meet next

6. Run three week Santa Rosa fair meet next. (extra week added due to loss of BM fair dates.)

7. Run a 20 day Santa Rosa Indian Summer meet following their fair meet.

8. Run Fresno Fair meet next.

A schedule like above would allow for racing to occur within a 30 mile radius from late October/early November thru late June/early July.

It would add days to two of the classiest/attractive racing facilities (Pleasanton and Santa Rosa) on the west coast.

[CA Michael]

There is, of course, a lot more happening behind the scenes than the national publications can or will print.

Among these happenings is the real estate market on the San Francisco peninsula. When the current owner purchased this property within the last decade, top dollar was paid for it--not for its value as a racetrack, but for the highly desirable land on which it sits. Shortly thereafter, the historic barn area and training track adjacent to Hwy 101 were transformed into commercial projects. The grandstand, racetrack and most of the parking areas were left intact; new barns were constructed in the track infield.

Since then, the demand for the projects envisioned by the Bay Meadows Land Co. has deteriorated. Real estate prices finally forced demand downward. Result: for the foreseable future, Bay Meadows Land Co. doesn't actually plan to build on the property.

Jack Liebau, president of BM, is a very skilled tactician in achieving his company's primary goal--making a profit. If he can avoid a $5 million capital expense in installing an artificial track, so much the better for him and his company. But to conclude that Liebau has much concern for the safety of the horses, the finances of the horsemen, or the jobs of the local labor force, is laughable. Along with his pal John Harris (who greatly resents the progress of his CHRB chairman replacement, Mr. Shapiro), Liebau is taking his self-serving case to the legislature and the Governator. And they are working HARD to force out Shapiro.

The CHRB majority should be applauded for taking action on artificial tracks. The status quo clearly resulted in countless deaths, injuries, economic and emotional losses. The CHRB did the right thing and they should be supported by all horsemen.

If Californians allow scoundrels like Jack Liebau and John Harris to make decisions for them, we deserve everything that we get in return.

[zinn21]

Michael, you're pretty much correct on the land value issue. As I previously stated in another string, a good portion of the development located on the old BM training track remains unsold.

Libeau's political spin of the situation was appropriately shot down by the CHRB board despite his good buddy John Harris's supportive vote.

I still think there is a better than even money shot that BM Land will do a 180 and install the track/guarantee racing at the site for several more years.

[FOS]

hi CA Michael

For clarification purposes...what's the product being used at Hollywood Park? Isn't that Cushion Track brand, not Polytrack?

Has an announcement been made yet as to what product Santa Anita will resurface with?

Respectfully

[CA Michael]

zinn--thanks, and I agree 100% with you. Even though BM is not financially buoyant, clearly it's in the track's best interest to create some cash flow from it. Beats the hell out of boarding it up and letting the birds take over its management.

Liebau's end run to the legislature only publicizes what many of us have known about him for years--he is NOT interested in what's best for the sport, the animals, the owners, the trainers, or the patrons. He is ONLY interested in self-aggrandizement. And he is VERY good at it. He's organized quite an array of supporters for the YEE Resolution--all for the purpose of forcing the CHRB to back down. What a sad, sad day for CA if he and Harris get their way.

One question I keep asking--but without satisfactory answer in return--is about the NET cost of installing an artificial surface. Can these products be recycled, and/or transported, from one location to another? If Bay Meadows ultimately installs polytrack (or the like), can the material be shifted to another location (i.e. Pleasanton) in several years? If so, doesn't this make the capital expenditure much more feasible? If the $4 million price tag can be partially offset in four years by even 50%, doesn't that make Liebau's argument even more specious?

I don't expect Bay Meadows to ante up a good answer to this question. It's much more in Liebau's style to come out shooting than to explore alternatives beforehand. Maybe the CHRB can focus its attention on this and other cost controls which make installation less painful to track managements.

re: Hollywood Park. Yes, it has installed "Cushion Track"; I have read but don't remember which surfaces have been approved by Santa Anita, Golden Gate and Del Mar. Haven't had my morning coffee yet!

[zinn21]

Golden Gate Fields is scheduled to install the Tapeta surface. This is the surface famed trainer Michael Dickinson strongly supports.

Michael, The " Yee move" by Lebeau was brilliant strategically. It has garnered much positive media attention, so gotta give him credit. Fortunately that's about the only gun he's got left to fire. It shouldn't be enough to overide a sound judgement decision made by the CHRB board.

[CA Michael]

thanks, zinn. It will be interesting to see how Tapeta fares here.

Some of the naysayers of synthetic tracks, including Liebau, are pointing to the problems Woodbine and Turfway have recently experienced with Polytrack. No doubt there's a lot to be learned about each of these products, but I think it's fairly safe to say that the climatic challenges faced by those two tracks have little relevance to California. We don't get too many snowstorms or sub zero temps (which is one reason why we still live here!).

A good friend of mine who races is helping Liebau organize support behind Yee's resolution. This is a well connected group whose influence I don't take lightly. Their position is singular--they want Shapiro and Fermin out. That's all. They like and want synthetic race surfaces but are using this opportuity to kick their foes while they're down. They don't care if they have to sleep with the devil(s) to get it done. This kind of thinking blows me away, but they are used to getting what they want.

BTW, I was sorry to see another horse lose his life today in Bay Meadows' 2nd race. Maybe if Liebau had to hold the horse while they euthanized him his conscience might kick in.

[zinn21]

I'm not surprised Liebau is coordinating a serious effort behind the Yee Resolution. It's his strongest card but with that said he's still trying to draw to an inside straight.

Jack Libeau is arguably the least respected of all California's racing elite. It will be difficult for him to muster the support needed to overpower the current CHRB board. Jack got a lot done in the past using fear and intimidation as a primary management tool. With his power substantially diminished that dog just doesn't hunt like it used to.

[CA Michael]

zinn, again, you are right on the money. Liebau represents all that is bad about California racing.

BTW, did you notice that TWO HORSES broke down yesterday at Bay Meadows? Two more lives lost at Liebau's death trap.

Yesterday I received some very thorough answers from the CHRB to all the questions I posed about the installation of a synthetic track at Bay Meadows. I'll synopsize and distribute. In short, yes, synthetic tracks can be recycled with a 50% return on initial sale price. Yes, a new state law offers special financial assistance to CA racetracks installing them. No, there are no imminent development plans for the Bay Meadows land. And yes, Liebau knew these facts before the CHRB decision, and in spite of Shapiro's attempts to convince him to utilize these benefits, he refused to accept them. As you say, intimidation is his response of choice.

John Andreini and John Harris, the two CHRB commissioners who backed Liebau, were present during this interchange at the last meeting. Yet, they ignored this rational approach to saving Bay Meadows racing. It is their resignations which must be sought.

[CA Michael]

This is the letter I sent today to the Senate Committee members who will hear the Yee Resolution tomorrow, Monday, April 9.

I urge all Californian's who are concerned about the fatal breakdowns and other injuries incurred on our tracks to write a similar letter. This is the time for ACTION.

to: [email protected], [email protected]

CC: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]

Senator,

As a lifetime Thoroughbred horse owner I urge you to
OPPOSE this self-serving resolution introduced at the
request of Bay Meadows racetrack president Jack
LIEBAU.

The CHRB wisely adopted a policy requiring the state's
major racetracks to install life-saving synthetic
racing surfaces. California's first track to do
so--Hollywood Park--saw an immediate and remarkable
decrease in horse fatalities and injuries after doing
this. In the first three months of 2007, NO HORSES
have lost their lives on the Hollywood Park surface,
even though about 2,000 horses train on it daily.

Conversely, in the first 34 days of the current Bay
Meadows race meet, 16 HORSES HAVE DIED as a result of
racetrack injuries. On Saturday, April 7, TWO
ADDITIONAL HORSES BROKE DOWN AND DIED at Bay Meadows.
Mr. Liebau's track has become a death trap. As a
result, business is down, disgusted owners and
trainers are leaving the state, and jockeys have
voted to not ride on it. Clearly, Bay Meadows is the
"poster-child" for poor racetrack management among all
California tracks.

At its March meeting, the CHRB denied Bay Meadows'
request for an exemption to this policy. Senator Yee's
resolution is the fulfillment of Mr. Liebau's
subsequent threat to force the removal of CHRB
chairman Richard SHAPIRO, who has been at the
forefront of this safety movement.

Mr. Liebau is well known throughout California for his
inability to forge compromises, and for his propensity
to use threats and intimidation to force his will.
During the March CHRB meeting, Mr. Shapiro pointed out
to him that a new state law provides financial
assistance for tracks installing synthetic surfaces;
Mr. Shapiro also attempted to explain to Mr. Liebau
that Bay Meadows could recoup about 50% of its capital
expense for the new synthetic materials through its
re-sale when the track ultimately closes. Mr. Liebau
was not interested in these or any other solutions.

I hope you recognize that in adopting the current
policy the CHRB majority acted in accordance with its
legal mandate. Most breeders, owners, trainers and
racegoers support its goal of saving lives (horse and
human), which ultimately will increase statewide
mutuel handle. To support Senator Yee's Bay Meadows
resolution would be to take a backward step in this
effort.

Please vote "NO". Thank you.

[CA Michael]

copies of this letter were also sent to the GM and all directors of Bay Meadows Land Co. ([email protected]), as well as to several hundred other California industry leaders. I encourage others to do likewise.