This is what is so frightening about racing. I don’t blame Mandella at all- it would be hard to send a mare like Beholder out, even knowing that it was probably all just bad luck…
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/213541/beholder-work-moved-after-del-mar-breakdowns
I now have a stomach ache too.
I have long held the belief that Del Mar is just too close to the coast. I think at some level it is influenced by the tides deep beneath the base. I was always terrified when Zenyatta raced there. It’s too bad because it is an absolutely gorgeous place to watch the races.
Such a sad morning.
Wonder how much this may or may not have affected the track?
…“Tyler Baze mention the bad spot was at the quarter pole. Right where the concert stage was 10 days ago at the Del Mar Fair”…
…"Stage is on the track during the fair and the rest of the track is used for preferred parking "…
Race 2 ANOTHER breakdown 
Del-Mar race #2
Dutchessa broke down nearing the finish. Joe Talamo tried to pull her up, but she ended up needing to be put down.
This is making me VERY VERY nervous for the rest of the horses.
I was very glad our boy was running on the grass after all that. (We had the winner in race 5.) I wonder about the concert stage thing–coincidence? Or maybe not a good thing to put that much pressure on the surface?
Not encouraging…
Duchessa did finish race 2 and broke down after crossing the wire
Race 8, Ish sounds like was pulled up in the stretch and walked off.
Wonder what is up, how much tides would really affect the track surface. I’m more inclined to suspect the alternate track use by the fair.
My comments came from race results on Equibase’s page…
[QUOTE=danceronice;8761126]
I wonder about the concert stage thing–coincidence? Or maybe not a good thing to put that much pressure on the surface?[/QUOTE]
Why do we put up with this? Loud concerts, fireworks (when horses are on the grounds)? Alternate track use that compromises track integrity?
I was at Colonial in 2011 when a horse flipped over in the test barn after the last race (and died) because of the stupid fireworks.
How about we work to have the tracks as safe as possible and DEDICATED for racing instead of these other entertainment options?
[QUOTE=Laurierace;8760832]
I have long held the belief that Del Mar is just too close to the coast. I think at some level it is influenced by the tides deep beneath the base. I was always terrified when Zenyatta raced there. It’s too bad because it is an absolutely gorgeous place to watch the races.[/QUOTE]
I worked across the 5 from Del Mar in 2000-01 in what was The Helen Woodward center small and large animal referral / emergency practice. . It was the only time/ place in my life I’ve questioned racing. To many walking wounded carted across the street to the practice.
[QUOTE=JJ’sLuckyTrain;8761266]
How about we work to have the tracks as safe as possible and DEDICATED for racing instead of these other entertainment options?[/QUOTE]
Because it’s not economically feasible in many areas. People are not going to the races and they are not betting on the races. I agree that the track itself should not be used for anything other than racing/training and maybe a few other equine things. But the plant and grounds are going the way of multi-use. Not many people care, other than the horsemen. And there are not enough of us.
Imagine the track at the fairgrounds is not privately owned and funding is complicated…didn’t they have a real bad year with synthetic surface some years back? Even private tracks are having trouble with dwindling attendance.
I agree that Del Mar is one of the most gorgeous tracks anywhere, that one and Santa Anita. Used to show at the Del Mar fair show every summer before they moved it away inland…rode on the beach…
[QUOTE=mommy peanut;8760928]
Such a sad morning.
Wonder how much this may or may not have affected the track?
…“Tyler Baze mention the bad spot was at the quarter pole. Right where the concert stage was 10 days ago at the Del Mar Fair”…
…"Stage is on the track during the fair and the rest of the track is used for preferred parking "…[/QUOTE]
Putting a concert stage directly on a racetrack is about as stupid as putting a billards table on a boat.
Rough weekend for Del-Mar.
Another breakdown during one of their turf races today
FWIW, Del Mar did care about the 17 fatalities in the 2016 summer meet.
The 2017 meet concluded yesterday. Del Mar hired a new track superintendent (I believe he was hired after the 2016 season), the dirt track was completely reworked (i.e., more than just getting the graders out 
) to be similar to Santa Anita (yeah, I didn’t do the look-it-up so going from memory).
Field size increased over last year and the absolutely best news was the fatalities were down to 6! Four during racing, one during training and one “sudden death” in the barn area.
I would say a considerable improvement. Goal, I am sure, is zero fatalities so Del Mar and other tracks should not rest on their laurels but to say that tracks don’t care may be an injustice when they do…
At least they don’t have this problem: [h=1]Party Animals: Section Of Chantilly Racecourse Damaged By Wild Boars[/h]
https://www.paulickreport.com/news/the-biz/party-animals-section-chantilly-racecourse-damaged-wild-boars/
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