GGF 30May07 card canceled?

[Sam]

Is there a horseman's protest going on or something?

First time I've seen a track like GGF or the like canceled for lack of entries. Doesn't surprise me when it's Pocatello or something, but GGF?

[zinn21]

Sam, they couldn't fill so racing was cancelled for that day. I guestimate between 1000 and 1300 race ready head currently available. That, of course, will change beginning 6-14-07 when the Appy's, Arab, Quarterhorse and Mules hit the fair circuit scene.

[CA Michael]

Horseman's Protest.

If northern California's horsemen could summon the courage to stop entering their horses, management would finally be affected enough to make some serious changes to the racing surface.

Complaining to deaf ears is a waste of time. Owners and trainers must realize that to make long term gains they need to sacrifice in the short term. IMO, the best (and perhaps only) way to force Bay Meadows and Golden Gate to install synthetic racing surfaces is to hit them in THEIR pocketbooks. The fall would be an excellent time to strike.

[Jimsocks]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17707609/

Actually, Bay Meadows already made the call in March not to install the new surface:

SAN MATEO, Calif. - The California Horse Racing Board voted 4-2 on Thursday to deny a request by the Bay Meadows Racing Association for a two-year waiver on installing a synthetic racing surface.

The decision means that Bay Meadows, which opened in 1934, will close after this year, said Bay Meadows president Jack Liebau.

[Sam]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17707609/

Actually, Bay Meadows already made the call in March not to install the new surface:

Yes, Jim, I knew that, but that article doesn't have anything to do with why today's card was canceled for lack of entries unless they've decided to close the track down effective immediately. I was asking if there was a horseman's protest or something going on that I'd not heard about.

[Rokeby Forever]

I thought that the 30th was closed because Monday was a holiday?

Anyway, Michael CA...how's Ravel, Belgravia, Notional, and Great Hunter doing after training and racing on the new surfaces? Would you be happy if Golden Gate installed Jello?

[zinn21]

Just to clarify my post-racing was canceled on the 30th for lack of entries. There was no horseman's protest although owners and trainers are very unhappy with the present uncertainty over racing dates for 2008.

[Tairaterces]

Is there a horseman's protest going on or something?

First time I've seen a track like GGF or the like canceled for lack of entries. Doesn't surprise me when it's Pocatello or something, but GGF?

Why they scheduled racing on Wednesday is beyond me. The norm is special racing on Monday, dark on Tuesday & Wednesday, back on Thursday.

Just another dumb-azz mistake by the powers that be . . . . . . . . .

T

[Sam]

Just to clarify my post-racing was canceled on the 30th for lack of entries. There was no horseman's protest although owners and trainers are very unhappy with the present uncertainty over racing dates for 2008.

Thanks, zinn

I knew it was lack of entries (I saw it on the cancellations page of equibase, which is why I brought it up), I just couldn't figure out why no one decided to enter and thought maybe there was a protest going on that I didn't hear about.

[CA Michael]

zinn,

Perhaps the owners/trainers will transfer their angst to action! Since it now appears as if Liebau's pistol whipping of the CHRB via Senator Yee will be successful (meaning a one year exemption is in the offing), ONLY a horseman's boycott can cause BMLC to install an artificial surface. It needs to discover the feeling of throwing a party only to have no one show up.

[tbrace]

Which, by the way, is the story of my life . . .

[zinn21]

TB, that might be too much information but seriously horseman have historically been a passive group in NorCal.

I think the best path to get things done is through the TOC. This organization has, IMO, all the tools ( i.e. strong political organization; membership who control product-the horse ) to effect change. They've been fairly successfull with a somewhat non confrontational/softline approach but perhaps it's time to take a strong position on an issue such as safe racetracks.

[CA Michael]

zinn, the problem with that approach is that the TOC is in bed with Liebau.