“Graveyard of Champions” strikes again

Luis Saez wins 4,000, Travers Field Comes Up Strong, Alleged data misappropriation by industry insider leads to recriminations

Saratoga Race Course’s long and well-earned reputation as the “Graveyard of Champions” proved true once again Saturday when heavily favored Counting Stars failed to manage the longer distance of the Alabama Stakes and finished a tiring third to My Gun’s Loaded and Measure. Under a wide ride by Jose Ortiz, (substituting for the injured Irad Ortiz, Jr.) the pro-tem division leader never truly looked comfortable and lacked the energy she displayed in her two earlier Saratoga victories. The lightly-raced My Gun’s Loaded stalked the leader and while still running greenly, rebuffed the late challenge of Measure who advanced along the rail. The victory saw trainer Chad Brown accomplish the rare feat of winning two of the most important races for three-year old fillies – The Kentucky Oaks and the Alabama Stakes – with two different fillies.

– The week also saw jockey Luis Saez win his 4,000th race, while Jockey Javier Castallano ended the week one win shy of 6,000.

– Castellano won the Ballston Spa Stakes on Saturday, surviving both a stewards’ inquiry and jockey objection for herding through the stretch. The stewards ultimately determined not to change the order of finish in a controversial decision, thereby allowing Castellano to accept congratulation from the Mayor of Ballston Spa – Frank Rossi, Jr. – who was on hand for the race. The decision proved unpopular with many seasoned observers, including NYRA’s television commentators, who expected a disqualification.

– Castellano’s 5,999th win also proved controversial since the Daily Racing Form listed Ricardo Santana as the rider, thereby confusing many bettors and briefly, the NYRA television crew. 

– Trainer Steven Schauer won three races during the week compiling an astounding win percentage with his small stable. 

– Controversial trainer David Jacobsen is suddenly back at Saratoga and won three races on the weekend.

– Trainer Linda Rice was required by New York State Gaming Commission regulations to scratch all her horses stabled at Saratoga that were entered this weekend, while those stabled at Belmont Park were permitted to run. The scratches led to shorter fields on Friday. Her trainee – Prime Connection – stabled at Belmont won the Saturday finale at long odds.

Other

– Earlier this year this column suggested running “speed cards” during the week that could be completed quickly. That apparently is happening as last week’s Wednesday and Thursday cards were completed in less than four and one-half hours.

– Knightsbridge invaded California and took the Pacific Classic in a style that suggests he is among the best older horses in the country. Junior Alvarado piloted (he also won another stake earlier on the card) and is now the rider of both Sovereignty and Knightsbridge. 

– The Travers Stakes, to be run August 29th, came up with a full and talented field of ten comprising the strongest three-year-old race of the year. With Irad Ortiz, Jr. injured, Tyler Gaffalione picks up the mount on Renegade. 

– Trainer Bob Baffert was among the new members appointed to HISA’s Horsemen’s Advisory Group 

Marshall Gramm

In a follow up to a controversy discussed here earlier about the appearance of past performances that included confidential veterinary information (and proprietary “sheet” numbers), the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (“HISA”) directly and quite publicly accused Marshall Gramm of systematically misappropriating veterinary information from their database. HISA accused Gramm of using his access to the system as a horse owner to collect veterinary records (reportedly up to 4 million of them) on horses he did not own or manage. HISA further indicated that after failing to reach a settlement with Gramm they were referring the action to criminal authorities for possible prosecution. 

Gramm, for his part, posted a long statement on Twitter that in many ways corroborated HISA’s accusation but blamed himself for only “poor judgment” in not reporting the system weakness to HISA.  

Generally, the legal right to remain silent is the best practice when faced with accusations of possible criminal wrongdoing, but if one is to make a statement, it is best to be either apologetic or defiant. Gramm tried to be both and it did not have the desired effect of exonerating him.

Gramm is no lightweight. From a politically active family, Gramm controls a claiming stable, is a high-profile participant and winner in multiple thoroughbred handicapping contests, is an active bettor and most notably is a member of The Jockey Club. He has many acolytes and supporters. 

Not surprisingly, the fallout from this has been wide-ranging.

– The Jockey Club announced it is seeking Gramm’s removal;

– HISA was widely criticized for failing to protect the data that it requires veterinarians to provide.

– Critics allege the HISA computer system security is provided by a mysterious company with operational facilities in Ukraine.

– Owner Mike Repole announced he is funding his own investigation of HISA and The Jockey Club.

– Industry mainstream and social media personalities have engaged in tawdry ad hominem attacks on those that criticize Gramm.

– Gramm has accepted a “Provisional Suspension” from HISA that effectively removes him from the sport while the matter is heard. 

– Legal authorities have yet to surface but it is generally accepted that they are investigating.

The whole affair is tasteless. 

An industry stalwart admits to having found a security flaw in a regulator’s system and instead of reporting it to the regulator exploits the flaw apparently for his own financial gain. (Nowhere in Gramm’s statement does he advance a noble reason for systematically downloading the data). HISA, as regulator, admits it failed to secure data that its own regulations required be given to it and, rather than apologize or make changes at the top, embarks on a media tour to express its outrage as a victim. Meanwhile, defenders of Gramm’s actions engage in “whataboutism” and cast aspersions at multiple people in their attempt to deflect from his actions. 

The matter is a microcosm of the “ethical myopia” that persists in this sport, and sadly, increasingly in the public at large. The sport is owed an apology from all involved and accountability demanded. We will wait and see.