Notes - Jan 8

- The California Horse Racing Board approved the transfer, if necessary, of racing to Hollywood Park from Santa Anita; and Del Mar has been placed on alert to make their stable area and Poly Track available for training.

However, SA president (and new Magna COO) Ron Charles said that the switch may not be necessary, rain or shine.

"We're going to come forward with a contingency plan that will allow us to race safely, even in the rain," he said. "We plan an announcement in the next 48 hours." Charles said the solution would allow horses to train over the main track as well. [Bloodhorse]

There's speculation that the track has applied for a temporary waiver to the synthetic track mandate which would allow them to replace the Cushion Track with a substance called dirt.

- Jockeys in New York have come forward with some sensible suggestions for the franchise negotiators; issues, such as consolidating the OTB's, that should have been a focus of these discussions from Day One. One wonders what the riders were waiting for. At this point, it seems like they're going to the whip after the finish line.

- NY Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno's wife Barbara passed away at the age of 77 after a long bout with Alzheimer's disease