Indy Downs brings in track consultant

Indiana Downs and the Indiana Standardbred Association have elected to bring in Dan Coon of Charles Coon & Sons to address issues with the Shelbyville track’s racing surface.

 

According to ISA president Jack Kieninger, Coon was expected to arrive Wednesday afternoon to assess the track. Indiana Downs has cancelled two consecutive programs, with a decision on Thursday’s card yet to be made.

 

“Dan is on his way up from Lexington and I’ve talked with him several times on the phone,” Kieninger said early Wednesday afternoon. “We just really don’t know where we’re at until he is on the grounds.”

 

Kieninger said that horsemen have voiced concerns over the surface since the meet opened July 23. He noted that while Indiana Downs has tried to address issues with the surface through the first week and a half of racing, the attempts to rectify the situation have failed in his opinion. Concerns with Indiana Downs’ track surface came to a head Monday, Aug. 2, when 8 year old Pilgrim’s Place broke down in the evening’s 12th race and had to be euthanized. The last race on the card was subsequently cancelled.

 

“We were just lucky that no drivers went down and were injured,” Kieninger said. “It’s bad enough to lose a horse, but to have horsemen hurt or killed; we don’t want that here.”

 

Jon Schuster, Indiana Downs general manager, said that he considers the surface inconsistent, and that management has been up front about the challenges they have faced. He said that several different materials have been used, but they have not knit together like they had hoped. He draws a big distinction between the track being inconsistent and those that say it is unsafe. Schuster pointed out that many horses took to the track for training both Tuesday and Wednesday morning.

 

“We’re just struggling to get the right mixture and consistency,” Schuster commented. “Jim (White, track superintendent) has tried so many different things. We need to find the right mix of materials. Right now the track is what you would term loose or “cuppy” and I believe it has created a confidence issue.”

 

According to Kieninger and Schuster, the ISA is paying Coon’s salary while he is on site at Indiana Downs. The track, in turn, has agreed to furnish Coon with the necessary equipment, materials and manpower.

 

“That is their preferred vendor/consultant and we’ve had them here two or three times,” Schuster said. “I think this is a good partnership move myself. I think we all want to get to the same place.”

 

“It’s going to cost the horsemen some money,” Kieninger added. “Indiana Downs is on board, and we should be willing to step up to the plate and that’s what we’re doing.”

 

Timing is critical for Thursday’s program. With medication deadlines well in advance of tomorrow’s 4:55 first post, quick work may be needed to prevent a third straight cancellation.--By James Platz