Santa Anita horse racing carnage continues

I am a horseplayer.  And very sad one. The Santa Anita horse racing carnage continued Sunday, just three days into the renewed meet.  There is much to be said about the riding crop, and lasix, and other medications in horse racing, for sure. But, clearly, the discussion veered far away from the most obvious relevant topic - the Santa Anita surface. In the San Gabriel Stakes, Arms Runner tripping (falling, vanned, and put down) brought the surface back to the fore front, as the slip occurring was patently about the change in surface that the downhill course incurs just at the beginning of the home stretch. It's a stretch where I always hold my breath.

A podcast with Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens talks about many safety issues, but focuses greatly on the Santa Anita surfaces, their composition and upkeep. And this in the face of extraordinary rain (reading about commodities and Midwest flooding tonight, he learned this was an El Niño year).  He also mentions the one thing that came immediately to my mind when the carnage had clearly begun - the main news I remember coming up about Santa Anita (aside from changes in personnel) was a push for bigger fields and a blame placed on stabled horses not running enough. He also gives a first hand view of the surface in recent years - jaw jarringly hard he said. As the weekend that followed appeared to be without fatal incident, it is notable that punters are amazed at the "slow" times that are being achieved on the track. There has always been something called California speed, and now one wonders if California speed killed. Interesting note via Stevens - he is against sealing the track, something that may have been done and overdone leading up to the debacle.

It is worth a listen: https://bleav.com/podcast-show/bleav-in-touching-greatness-with-ted-sobel/

Gary ruefully wonders why, with all his experience, he wasn't asked anything about the issues by the powers that be. But, that seems to be America's way - that is to disregard elders, to disregard experience, to technology and science will magically change reality in all its aspects. As far as the lack of focus on the surface, it seems the culture has taken on a massive dose of misdirection, in many areas. As I said, Racetrack Romeo is sad. On many levels.