Jack Shinar
Jack Shinar is a frequent contributor to The Blood-Horse magazine and is part of their Digital Media department.
Articles by Jack Shinar
45 Panelists Named for California Synthetic Surface Forum
February 18, 2008
There are 45 panelists confirmed for a special California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) forum to discuss synthetic track surfaces Feb. 20 at Santa Anita Park.
Separate panels are scheduled to be represented by jockeys, synthetic track manufacturer Read More
California Racing Board to Review Synthetic Surfaces
February 17, 2008
The California Horse Racing Board has scheduled a special forum to discuss synthetic track surfaces Feb. 20 at Santa Anita Park.
As many as 38 panelists from all segments of the horse-racing industry are invited to take part in the Read More
Santa Anita to Close for Footing Fix
January 17, 2008
A liquid binder officials believe will save Santa Anita Park's Cushion Track should take about 10 days to acquire and another four to mix with the synthetic racing surface, the California Horse Racing Board was told Jan. 16.
Track president Read More
Santa Anita Track Drainage Dilemma Not Over
January 03, 2008
Knee deep in controversy over drainage problems with Santa Anita's new synthetic racetrack and heavy rainfall expected this week, the company that installed the surface has acknowledged that the issue remains unresolved.
In a Jan. 2 press Read More
California's Golden Gate Fields Unveils Synthetic Racing Surface
November 09, 2007
Northern California horsemen are hoping that Tapeta Footings will put the bounce back in their racing circuit.
To unanimous endorsement by those on hand Nov. 7, Magna Entertainment's Golden Gate Fields unveiled its new $10-million synthetic Read More
Jockey Suspended, Fined for Whipping Injured Horse
August 27, 2007
An apologetic Russell Baze was suspended for 15 days by Bay Meadows stewards and fined $2,500 Aug. 26 for misusing his whip as the result of a complaint arising from an incident at the Bay Area track last week.
"I'm not going to try to Read More
Installation Date Set for New Surface at Golden Gate
July 14, 2007
Permits in place, Golden Gate Fields plans to begin construction of its new Tapeta Footings racing surface July 23, track general manager Robert Hartman said Friday.
The track has an Oct. 12 move-in date, Hartman added, but officials would like Read More
Seabiscuit Descendant Foaled Near Famous Ancestor's Home
May 24, 2007
Bronze Sea, a filly descended from Seabiscuit, was foaled at Tim and Jacqueline Cooper's American Legend Horse Farm in Northern California on May 23.
The dark bay filly is by High Brite and is out of the At the Threshold mare All in Fashion Read More
Environmental Concerns Could Delay Tapeta Surface at Golden Gate
May 16, 2007
Environmental concerns could cause a delay in plans by Golden Gate Fields to install an all-weather racing surface this summer, the planning manager for the City of Albany, Calif., acknowledged May 16.
"It's hard to say at this point," Read More
Calif. Racing Board Votes to Outlaw Toe Grabs
February 23, 2007
The California Horse Racing Board will begin enforcing a regulation outlawing the use of front toe grabs exceeding four millimeters in length after commissioners voted Feb. 22 to reverse their decision last month to ignore the rule.
The Read More
CHRB Committee Urges Drug Policy Changes
January 10, 2007
The California Horse Racing Board, under fire for its drug enforcement policies, would dramatically change penalties for many violations and repeat offenses under recommendations passed on to the full commission by its medication committee Jan. Read More
Herpes Tests Show Five of Six Negative at Golden Gate
January 06, 2007
Five of the six horses previously identified with equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) at Golden Gate Fields Thoroughbred Racetrack in California tested negative in samples taken Jan. 5, reported the director of the large animal clinic at the Read More
EHV: Five More California Horses Positive for Neurogenic Strain
January 04, 2007
Five more horses from trainer Lloyd Mason's barn at Golden Gate Fields have tested positive for a neurogenic strain of equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) after final samples were tested on New Year's Day, although none are showing symptoms of the Read More
Bay Meadows Might Defer Synthetic Track Decision
December 30, 2006
Bay Meadows Race Course, long rumored to be facing demolition in favor of redevelopment plans approved by the city of San Mateo, might seek an exemption from a California Horse Racing Board mandate to replace its existing dirt track with an Read More
The Golden Boy: Reflections on Champion Precisionist
October 11, 2006
California lost the golden boy of its golden age of horse racing Sept. 26 with the death of Precisionist at the age of 25 (click here for the story on his death). The champion was Read More
California Official Wants Vets Held Accountable for Medication Violations
September 25, 2006
Rick Arthur, DVM, the new equine medical director of the California Horse Racing Board, told a meeting of state horse breeders Sept. 22 that he plans to hold veterinarians accountable when trainers they advise are found in violation of horse Read More
Del Mar Gets Initial Approval for Synthetic Track
September 14, 2006
The Del Mar Thoroughbred Club gained unanimous approval Sept. 12 to install an $8 million synthetic surface from the board of directors of the agricultural district that oversees the seaside track.
Craig Fravel, Del Mar's Read More
Lost in the Fog Given "Reasonable Chance"
August 27, 2006
The veterinarian treating sprint champion Lost in the Fog for cancerous tumors said Friday that the colt has "a reasonable chance" of reducing them to a size that's conducive for chemotherapy or surgery.
Dr. Gary Magdesian, chief of Read More
Lost in the Fog 'Not Done Yet,' Gilchrist Says
August 25, 2006
Less than a week ago, trainer Greg Gilchrist said that it was "the bottom of the ninth" for his champion sprinter Lost in the Fog, diagnosed with terminal cancer. But at his Golden Gate Fields stable Thursday, the rally caps were Read More
Inoperable Tumor Found In Lost In the Fog
August 21, 2006
Champion sprinter Lost in the Fog has an inoperable tumor in addition to the large one found this week on his spleen and may have no more than two weeks to live, trainer Greg Gilchrist said Aug. 18.
The popular colt, owned by Harry Aleo, Read More
Cloned Mule Idaho Gem Wins in California Racing Debut
June 24, 2006
The racing mule Idaho Gem, the world's first equine clone, made a favorable impression in his initial start on the Read More
California Requires Synthetic Racing Surface
April 01, 2006
The California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) decided on Feb. 16 that California racing associations operating meets of at least four continuous weeks will be required to install a synthetic racing surface by the end of 2007 or face a loss of race Read More
California Horse Racing Board to Require Polytrack Installation at Tracks
February 19, 2006
California racing associations that operate meets of at least four continuous weeks would be required to install a synthetic racing surface by the end of 2007 or face a loss of dates, the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) decided Feb. Read More
California Trainers on Notice About Use of Anabolic Steroids
August 16, 2005
While steroid use by human athletes has caused a firestorm of controversy, trainers in California are being warned to avoid using anabolic steroids on their horses because of increased testing and uncertainty about withdrawal times. But the Read More
California Horse Racing Board Proposes Ban on Milkshakes
September 17, 2004
Use of alkalizing agents--so-called "milkshakes"--on horses would be illegal under a new regulation proposed Sept. 15 to the California Horse Racing Board.
Ron Jensen, DVM, MS, the CHRB's director of equine medicine, told the board Read More
