Breeders' Cup debacle gets little discussion at CHRB meeting

The debacle in the Juvenile Turf that ended day one of the Breeders’ Cup in a chorus of boos was broached only briefly by the California Horse Racing Board during its monthly meeting on Wednesday.

During his executive director’s report to the full board, Scott Chaney touched on the two-day Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar noting, “most of the press was centered on a premature scratch in the Juvenile Turf.” Of course, Chaney was referencing the decision to scratch favorite Modern Games at the starting gate, which was subsequently reversed to allow him to run for purse-money only.

The mistake-laden chain of events ended in a win by Modern Games, which infuriated bettors who had used him in multi-race wagers but, per CHRB rules, were instead left with the post-time favorite (Dakota Gold) who was never a factor.

Chaney reiterated that the board was reviewing how the situation was handled but offered few other details.

“The CHRB is conducting an investigation (to) determine whether any regulations were violated,” Chaney said. “And it will offer suggestions with respect to how such mistakes can be avoided in the future.”

He added the CHRB will also convene a meeting of its pari-mutuel committee “to determine if our rules related to wagering can be improved or updated.”

There were no follow-up questions from the board’s commissioners.

Earlier in the meeting, California Thoroughbred Trainers executive director Alan Balch provided an update on the organization’s plan to create an “accident prevention task force” to curtail equine fatalities in the state. The task force, which would include representatives from a cross section of industry participants, was suggested by the CTT at last month’s CHRB meeting in response to a proposal from the board that would penalize trainer’s if a horse in their care dies.

Balch said invitations to join the task force have been sent to “all major track’s and horsemen’s stakeholders…throughout the state, as well as the Jockeys’ Guild.

“All have responded positively, I’m happy to report,” Balch said. “But now, of course, comes the hard work.”

Balch estimated the task force will have at least 30 members. He added the creation of a smaller steering committee, which will meet regularly to guide the task force, is nearly complete.

Among the top priorities for the task force will be addressing “sudden unexplained mortality” and fractured shoulders of horses returning from layoffs, Balch said.

“If we could make progress in just those two areas alone, we would immediately improve our safety (record),” he noted.

Current plans call for the task force to provide the board with progress reports at each of its monthly meetings.