Blame game begins - ‘Fifteen-million dollar’ Caymanas Park cancellation has stakeholders pointing fingers

Dissenting voices and positions have emerged in the aftermath of Saturday’s abandonment of the last two races at Caymanas Park amid claims and counterclaims of established protocols not being followed, which three-time champion trainer Anthony Nunes estimates could have cost Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment Limited (SVREL) approximately $15 million.

Washing his hands clean of the incident, which resulted in a slew of refunds to bettors holding win, place, exacta, quinella, trifecta, superfecta and hi-five tickets for the last two races, plus blanket payouts on ‘all’ in the Twilight 6 and Ketch 9 exotic bets, Phillip Parchment, speaking as head of the Jockeys’ Guild, said riders could not be faulted for taking their concerns of a waterlogged racing surface to the operations stewards.

“The jockeys did the right thing by going to the stewards. It is their right to make a report to the stewards, which is the regulating body. It now becomes the job of the stewards to follow the requisite protocol and do whatever is necessary to determine whether the track was safe or not,” said Parchment.

“I don’t know the conversation the stewards and promoters might have had after the jockeys complained. Jockeys cannot stop racing. We can only make a report. Jockeys have no power, nor authority, to stop races,” Parchment added.

A heavy downpour before the eighth race, following intermittent rain throughout the day, caused by a trough affecting most of the island, especially eastern and central parishes, resulted in the track condition being deemed ‘sloppy’, worsening after the seventh race.

Trainers waiting to saddle runners for the ninth event were observed exiting the saddling barn with gear in hand after riders failed to emerge from the jockeys’ room for the five-furlong round sprint for three-year-old maiden fillies.

At approximately 4:53 p.m., commentator Brian Rickman announced the abandonment, citing the jockeys’ claims, which steward Nigel Hinds confirmed on Saturday.

“Majority of the riders for the last two races said they did not feel comfortable because of the amount of water that was on the track,” said Hinds, whose superior, Antoine Nembhard, director of racing and operations steward at the Jamaica Racing Commission, yesterday said was a decision made in unison with SVREL’s management.

“We received complaints from numerous riders that the conditions had deteriorated. The riders reported puddles of water at specific points, which were causing the horses to shy, run out, not taking a true path.

“The matter was brought to the functionaries at SVREL. After discussions involving the stewards, riders and management, at the end, the riders made it clear they were not inclined to ride. The stewards, naturally, deliberated, taking into consideration the prevailing conditions and, listening to whatever explanations being offered by SVREL, a decision was taken that the meet be abandoned,” said Nembhard

However, both Racing Secretary Denzil Miller and Neville Nelson, vice-president, customer administration and operations, SVREL, said they were instead “advised” by the stewards of the abandonment.

“I was in the winners’ enclosure when summoned to the stewards’ room,” said Miller. “When I got there. On arrival, while awaiting Nelson, I was advised by Steward Dalon Clarke that the riders had booked off for the day, citing the condition of the track and their discomfort to ride,” said Miller, adding that the protocol would be for “a physical check of the track to be conducted by the stewards, the track superintendent and a jockeys’ representative.

Nelson was even more strident in saying the decision to abandon was taken by the JRC’s stewards without following protocol.

“When Denzil was summoned, he asked me to join him in the stewards’ room. While making my way, walking through the paddock area, the horses had already left the saddling barn, suggesting the trainers were already advised.

“When I arrived, steward Dalon Clarke informed myself and Denzil that about 10 jockeys had come into the room, before the start of the ninth race, to say they were not riding because they felt unsafe, leading to the meet being abandoned,” Nelson added.

In contrast, Nembhard said SVREL had enough time between races, up to 45 minutes, to initiate protocols governing track inspection.

“For them to say they were not given an opportunity to inspect, the interval was approximately 45 minutes between races to determine whether corrective measures could have been taken, if possible. That was not done. We took the interest of riders and safety of horses into consideration. It was not a decision made unilaterally. It was made with all concerned,” Nembhard insisted.

Solomon Sharpe, chairman, SVREL, countered by saying his team was never given a chance by the stewards, who are in charge of race meets.

“The track had quickly drained itself after the deluge which occurred before the eighth race,” Sharpe pointed out, alluding to video inspections from patrol-camera towers.

“However, in the interest of safety, we closed the track for exercise Sunday morning because the forecast was for heavy showers overnight.

“When we got there Sunday morning, the track was in very good condition, requiring routine raking and sealing, expecting rain again. In fact, we had to put water on it by Monday and had regular exercise gallops that day, and Tuesday as well,” Sharpe emphasised.