SARATOGA SPRINGS – The first race hadn’t even gone off yet and already the meet was in crisis, as the New York Racing Association was battered by criticism from horsemen over the “unsafe and inhumane” conditions inside the temporary detention barns set up on the Saratoga backstretch.
“The Saratoga detention facilities are ill-conceived, inadequate and a potential danger to the horses and the individuals responsible for their care,” Richard Bomze, president of the N.Y. Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, wrote on behalf of his membership in a letter hand-delivered yesterday to NYRA president Charles Hayward and co-chairmen Steven Dunker and Peter Karches. “There is almost universal discontent among the horsemen…and legitimate concerns that many will refuse to enter their horses or ship to Saratoga until the situation is rectified.
“It is regrettable that NYRA did not consult with NYTHA in advance…and seems to take the horsemen’s concerns lightly. The purpose of this letter is to put you on notice…that we hold NYRA responsible for the consequences.”
The dispute stems from a program instituted by NYRA to prevent horses from being “juiced” with illegal drugs. Six hours before they race, every starter must enter the fenced-off detention-barn area, which is off limits to everyone but his trainer and groom.
At Saratoga, two permanent barns were set aside that hold 30 horses. To accommodate the rest of the card, three canvas-covered structures were erected with plywood stalls inside. The heat in these tents was stifling, but of more concern to horsemen was the small size of the stalls, 8 3/4′ by 8 3/4′.
“It’s inhumane, and unsafe,” said Dennis Brida, executive director of the N.Y. Thoroughbred Breeders. “You wouldn’t make Gary Sheffield stay in a shower stall for six hours before a ballgame, why do it to a racehorse? Safety of the horses and the workers is at stake. It’s a risk too great to take.”
Bomze put it bluntly: “A groom is going to get killed.”
Similar stalls have been used by Pimlico, Tampa Bay and several sales companies, according to Hayward, who said Bomze inspected the facilities Tuesday but expressed no concern until horsemen began to complain yesterday morning.
“It’s a work in progress,” Hayward said. “Later in the day, some said it’s not as significant as it appeared to be. If there is a serious problem, and I don’t think there is, we’ll have to address it.”
Purge, winner of last year’s Jim Dandy, had to be scratched yesterday after coming unglued in the D-barn’s narrow confines. Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas noted that bettors have no way of knowing which horses react badly.
“We all want a level playing field,” Lukas said, “but do it professionally, not with a Band-Aid. We owe it to the horses and the betting public to give the horse a chance to come over and run his race.”