NY Horsemen critical of racing surfaces

[Riot]

from blood-horse.com (edited):

Members of the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association voiced their displeasure with the racing surfaces at Saratoga, Belmont Park, and Aqueduct during a meeting Aug. 31, but the New York Racing Association track superintendent later said he stands by the surfaces.

Violette said there has been dissatisfaction among horsemen concerning the job being done by track superintendent John Passero, who has held the position since December 2004. The situation came to a head during the Saratoga meet after numerous complaints by horsemen that the main track, in particular, has been sealed on too many occasions when it wasn’t necessary.

“There are a lot of people who are not happy with the track,” Violette said. “It’s not just here, but at Belmont and Aqueduct. We need to make the track safer. We can’t be treated like children that will go away, and I say this not about Charlie (Hayward) and P.J. (Campo), but frankly, there is a big, big resentment toward John Passero.

Violette said the constant and unnecessary sealing of the track, combined with not enough preparation before training hours to get the surface back to normal, have resulted in numerous injuries to horses during the meet.

“There are a bunch of 2-year-olds you can’t walk for three days after they work because they might have a problem,” he said. “The end result is that we need a safe surface to train on and race on in the afternoon.”

After the meeting, trainer Tom Bush commented that the main track has been dangerously fast.

“Horses are running way too fast; we’ve got track records being broken,” Bush said. “The track is hard because there isn’t enough preparation after repetitive sealing. Horses are suffering from more foot issues--shedding frogs and bruises--and it is because they are being concussed. After all, the message on John Passero’s cell phone is, ‘John Fast Track Passero.’”