By Kathy Davey
Meeting led by P.J. Campo
- Planning continues for the transition for Gulfstream’s management of racing operations at Calder Race Course. At Gulfstream Park, the new condition book is being developed at four days/week and higher purses (mirroring last summer’s levels). GP is working diligently with both Calder and the state to iron out all the details for the transition. * Trainers interested in stabling at Calder moving forward have submitted new stall applications.
* Palm Meadows will close by June 26 and the racetracks will be renovated for two months. Fewer than 100 horses are currently stabled there, and they will all be reassigned, mostly to GP.
- The content of the GP track surface is slowly being scaled back to 6-7% clay content, as was the case last summer. Currently it is at 10%, down from the 14% during the winter meet.
* Effective approximately July 1, the track will open for training at 5:00 am and the breaks will remain at 7:00 and 8:30.
* A very comprehensive Hurricane Preparedness Plan was been developed and will be available shortly.
- Horsemen’s concerns about bedding costs were again brought up. GP is meeting with a few vendors to discuss possible price and delivery changes. Pellets are being used frequently at some northern tracks with good results and at lower cost. Some local barns are experimenting with the pellets.
* Huge overhead fans will be installed at barns 21 and 22 “any day now.”
* The Stakes Schedule at GP is now online through October. Calder’s “Summit of Speed” is doubtful for this year, since it is typically in Jully and Calder will not be running, and GP needs more lead time to put on a quality program. The “grading status” of those races will not be jeopardized as long as those races are run two out of three consecutive years.
* WiFi for the backside will be too expensive. Other possibilities are being considered.