"Close down race track if it cannot run properly" – Letty Hodge
Lake Texoma had to be put down on Saturday July 29, 2012 at the track, after suffering a broken leg while training at the Ellis Thomas Downs, in Sea Cows Bay.
Speaking to Virgin Islands News Online, Ms. Hodge, owner of L & B Stables, said she has been “preaching” for years for there to be qualified personnel to deal with the track, which she described as unprofessional grading and requiring an upgrade of the running surface.
“They have a lot of things that need to be in place, we have a lot of horses who had foot injuries because of the surface,” she charged. “The surface is too deep, now especially coming up to this race, they had all year to get things in place but waited a week before to grade the track and then leave it as that, it wasn’t raked and was uneven.”
The horseowner, who had described the death of Texoma as a major loss to her, said other things such as insurance for horses also need to be looked into.
“If we don’t have anything right and proper in place to run a race track, it’s a waste of time. Many have died here for injuries on the track it’s not right.”
Lack of medicine
Meanwhile, Ms. Hodge also expressed dissatisfaction over the lack of available medication that is used to put down animals. According to her, Lake Texoma had to suffer for hours after his injury before being put down due to the lack of the medicine on island.
In addition, she claimed the local Government veterinarian had to “mix up medicines” to have the drug available to put him down.
“If we will have these type of sports, I think we should have one person who will be there at the service with medication, not outdated ones.”
VI Horseowners’ Association responds
President of the Virgin Islands Horseowners’ Association, Lesmore Smith, when contacted said the condition of the track was not created due to the lack of maintenance, but that it was not completed.
“I want people to understand… the horse owners themselves ask for these things to happen and to assist to help to make it better and accessible for all of us. It’s not isolated to any given day but that was very unfortunate for the caliber of horse. My complete sympathy and the Association goes out to Mrs. Hodge and her entire stable,”.
According to Smith, the horsowners had asked for some adjustments on the track because they said it was a bit deep for international standards. “Meaning when heavy rain comes it tend to take the sand from the outside and into inner section, making the inner rail more sluggish,” he explained noting that the inner rail was designed for six inches but is deeper and up to 10 inches.
He said the committee sought assistance with machinery from someone who had knowledge in the area but added that the works were not fully completed.
He said knowing the surface was not ready, horseowners were taking chances to exercise their horses for the upcoming August 7, 2012 races.
“I am really sorry for what happen because it can happen to any one of us. This is not isolated for any particular day.”
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