Reversing its vote from last month, the California Horse Racing Board extended the 2021 license granted to Los Alamitos Race Course for its Quarter Horse and lower-level Thoroughbred racing from six to 12 months. The 4-3 action by the seven commissioners came after the Orange County track asked the CHRB to revisit its December decision to grant it only a half-year license before a follow-up review could authorize the remainder of the year.
The track, which runs two short afternoon meets of higher-quality Thoroughbreds in addition to its year-long mixed-breed meet at night, had come under criticism for leading the state in equine fatalities last year. The track also serves as an active training and stabling location in Southern California for Quarter Horses and Thoroughbreds
Twice over the second half of the year, Los Alamitos amended its procedures to improve equine safety. Their safety protocols now match or surpass those at major Thoroughbred tracks in the state, regulators said during the meeting.
Commissioner Alex Solis, absent from last month's board meeting, appeared to be the deciding vote in granting the 12-month license. Commissioners were deadlocked 3-3 last month on the matter before the six-month license was approved in a 5-1 decision.
Los Alamitos officials told the CHRB that a 12-month license was needed to adequately attract interest in its futurities and derbies, which are funded by nominations made by owners of young horses. That argument was also made last month to the CHRB.
Following a lengthy public comment period that bogged down the teleconferenced meeting for about two hours—in which numerous horsemen backed Los Alamitos and individuals opposed to racing voiced dismay with the catastrophic injuries at the track—chairman Dr. Greg Ferraro and commissioners Dennis Alfieri, Damascus Castellanos, and Solis supported the longer license. Vice-chairman Oscar Gonzales and commissioners Wendy Mitchell and Brenda Davis voted against.
"Concerning (that) the CHRB can halt racing at any track and at any time, what does this six-month license achieve except animosity within the industry?" Ferraro remarked in supporting the customary year-long license.
In their opposition, Gonzales and Mitchell cited the need for accountability and the CHRB's role as regulators.
Davis also raised concern about two Thoroughbred fatalities this year at Los Alamitos during training hours Jan. 17. The Robert Bean-trained Don't Stop Lookin broke down during a Sunday workout, and the Phil D'Amato-trained Noor Khan suddenly died that morning while awaiting a scope of her lungs after breezing, according to the CHRB. The CHRB said they are investigating Don't Stop Lookin's injury, and Los Alamitos and CHRB officials said Bean and the horse's unnamed veterinarian face disciplinary action.
Also during Thursday's meeting, the board approved action to amend and clarify rules regarding the use of Lasix, which due to the differing 2021 Lasix rules for stakes horses and non-stakes runners has led to confusion. The two motions passed by the board were supported by The Stronach Group, which owns Golden Gate Fields and Santa Anita Park in the state.
CHRB action was delayed a month in a 4-3 decision whether to update a substance list to align with uniform classification guidelines established by the Association of Racing Commissioners International. CHRB equine medical director Dr. Rick Arthur, in favor of immediate action, used language some commissioners found offensive when he grew upset with the vote. Moments later, he apologized for not having his phone muted but reiterated his displeasure with the majority's decision.
Earlier in the meeting, Arthur and CHRB executive director Scott Chaney said California had seen a sharp decline in fatalities last year. Chaney stated the state's equine racing and training deaths fell from 93 in 2019 to 67 in 2020, a 28% decrease that exceeded a 16% decline in racing caused by COVID-19 and other conditions.
