Good News or No News?

The Jockey Club today released data that some have said "proves" that synthetic surfaces are safer than traditional dirt surfaces. The release was an interesting read, but I think those organizations (Del Mar Turf Club for one) that are definitively stating that this "proves" that synthetics are safer may be jumping the gun a bit.

The statistics show data from two year period of November 1, 2008 to October 31, 2010 and indeed shows a lower fatality rate per thousand on synthetic surfaces as opposed to dirt. Here is the breakdown:

Fatality rate on dirt tracks per thousand over the period: 2.14
Fatality rate on synthetic tracks per thousand over the period: 1.55

Statistically this is a very significant number and very encouraging if we can take it at face value. However there are a few issues with the reporting that I would like to see addressed before I can be convinced of "proof".

From the Report:

"By agreement with the participating racetracks, from time to time The Jockey Club may publish certain summary statistics from the Equine Injury Database, but will not provide statistics that identify specific participants, including racetracks, horses or persons."

If we don't know the fatality rates at each racetrack, how can there be any action taken on the results of the study or, more importantly, how can horsemen decide where to perhaps avoid racing in the future? There is a wide range of participating racetracks but what if a relatively few dirt racetracks have the vast majority of fatalities? If that's the case, then there is a lot we can learn from the composition of those tracks and how they are being maintained. There may be some dirt tracks where the fatality rate is excellent which could lead one to conclude that they must be doing something right at that facility. And what of the synthetic breakdowns? If there is a synthetic track where fatalities are particularly prevalent, then maybe that particular synthetic surface is inferior to the others. Conversely, if one is performing particularly well, it would be important to know that as well. Let's not forget that there are different variations of synthetic surfaces in play in North America - which were more safe?

A side note, another result of the study is something our European friends already know:

"Fillies and mares competing in races that were open to horses of all sexes were not at an increased risk of fatality compared to those competing in races restricted to fillies and mares."

You could have asked Zenyatta or Goldikova about that one!

While the study is giving us tantalizing information, until there are more details let's not jump to conclusions.

Summer Racing Season is Underway

I've been absent for a bit longer than I would have liked but I wanted to pass along the latest Hello Race Fans Index. This week's index is a compilation of panelists' favorite summer racetracks. The usual suspects are in there - Del Mar, Saratoga and Monmouth, but there are also some surprises like Canterbury Park (wonder which panelist listed THAT one?), Delaware Park and even Timonium, MD!

While you're over there, take some time to go over the site. In addition to the index feature, there are areas on handicapping, racing rivalries, book reviews and more. A great site that gives you the all-around feel for the Sport of Kings.

Enjoy!

Now What?

The Triple Crown season is over and those of us that are racing fans are looking forward to a great summer of racing at fabled venues like Del Mar and Saratoga. Stakes races every day, blue-blooded thoroughbreds along with their equally blue-blooded owners will gather at the Shore or the Spa and racing suddenly is transformed back to its heyday!


The "general public" has no idea it exists at all.


For the most part, the sports going public has seen the Triple Crown series and assumes that racing crawls back into it's hole not to come out again until the World Thoroughbred Championships otherwise known as the Breeder's Cup. What happens in between is irrelevant to these people. We can all bask in what were pretty darn good ratings for the Derby and Preakness and, for a non-Triple Crown deciding race, the Belmont as well, but where racing really needs to focus on is now.


I don't mind if winter racing isn't highlighted on TV. The Inner Dirt track winter season at Aqueduct doesn't really cry out "Must See TV!!". I understand that. Del Mar - the House that Bing Built. Saratoga - the Graveyard of Favorites. The Travers, Del Mar Derby, Hopeful, Del Mar Futurity and on and on go the march of graded stakes at both legendary racetracks. These are great events that are often contested by horses that competed so gamely in the Spring.

Part of the challenge for racing is keeping fans interested through the summer and building to a nice crescendo at the Breeder's Cup. The solid ratings of this year's Triple Crown is a start. But only a start. How we build on that start is the key to the future viability of live racing in the U.S.