Thistledown cancels more races as HISA monitors track trouble
For virtually the second full week in a row, Thistledown canceled racing while the dirt track is repaired under the close watch of federal regulators reacting to a horse death Monday.
“After consultation with the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority, Thistledown canceled racing for two additional days on Wednesday and Thursday,” HISA spokesperson Mandy Minger said in a written statement Tuesday night. “The track will be open for training each morning to jog or gallop horses but no works.”
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The decision to cancel the rest of the week’s races came after track leaders met with horsemen Tuesday morning to discuss the immediate future. This came one day after a racing death.
“We are in close communication with HISA every day,” Ohio Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association executive director David Basler told Horse Racing Nation on Tuesday evening. “We are confident the track will meet their standards so we can resume racing on Monday.”
Thistledown, which normally races Monday-Thursday, has not run a complete card since July 17. Last week horsemen and jockeys complained that the course was strewn with rocks. Track superintendent Sean Wright was fired last Monday, and training was suspended until Saturday.
Racing resumed Monday, but it did not last long. Five-year-old mare Tayyara was pulled up injured in the opening race and ended up being euthanized. As horses were being led into the paddock for the second race, HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus called for a cancellation, and track management complied.
“Ongoing coordination is taking place with Racing Surfaces Testing Laboratory (of Lexington, Ky.) to review current track measurements and confirm the track surface is consistent and there are no abnormalities or areas of concern,” Minger said in Tuesday’s statement. “Once this exercise has been completed to everyone’s satisfaction, full training is expected to resume on Saturday and live racing on Monday.”
The Ohio HBPA said on its website that “the eight programs canceled over the past two weeks will all be made up.” It did not offer specific details.