Calder to prohibit re-entry of horses competing at other
Florida tracks
Beginning Monday, Calder Race Course will institute a “Restricted Access
Policy.” This new policy prohibits horses stabled at Calder from re-entering the
grounds if they choose to compete at other Florida racetracks. Limited
exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis for certain conditions with
advance approval from Racing Secretary Mike Anifantis.
“There is now a greater expectation for horses stabling and training on
Calder’s property, at Calder’s expense, to race at Calder,” said John Marshall,
Vice President & General Manager of Racing.
This change in policy comes as a direct result of Gulfstream Park’s decision
to disregard a prior agreement between the two tracks designed to prevent future
race-date disputes and a head-to-head clash. In that agreement, Calder traded
the more lucrative December dates to Gulfstream for less desirable April dates.
“On January 2, after Calder had already applied for dates similar to 2012,
Gulfstream made what can only be described as a rogue and reckless decision to
apply for a year-round schedule including running on top of Calder on Saturdays
and Sundays beginning July 1,” Marshall said. “After unsuccessful attempts to
get Gulfstream to re-consider and honor their previous commitment, Calder had no
choice but to amend its application and file for a year-round schedule beginning
in July with live racing Fridays through Sundays.
“Gulfstream’s head-to-head dates filing and simulcast revenue pursuits are
direct attacks on Calder, its horsemen and Florida racing,” Marshall said. “This
could be a catastrophic move for the industry that will negatively affect
owners, trainers, breeders, and all other Thoroughbred racing participants in
the state. Calder will not stand idle and allow others to divert our horsemen’s
purse money and water-down south Florida’s racing product.”
Live racing continues year-round at Calder on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays
with a 12:50 p.m. (ET) post time.
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