That the turf track at Fair Hill is evidence of Government at its worst continues.

Fair Hill turf courseMillions of dollars have been spent, over five years have elapsed and still no turf track and questions go answered.

Following the story about the Fair Hill turf track published April 24, The Horse got a phone call from Greg Bprtz of the office of communication of the Department of Natural Resources of the state of Maryland.

Bortz promised he would get answers to our questions, the most important of which is who is in charge of deciding when the turf track will be opened.

For a day or so, hope bloomed.

But then, again, the DNR replied with official evasions and lack of trans-parity.

There is still no one named to be the one who will decide when the track can be opened, no one to whom questions can be addressed.

There is still no answer to why the track has been unusable.

 

THE DNR has promised a meeting of all interested parties in May, and if that ever takes place, all the Maryland tax payers paying for the unused track, all the trainers at Fair Hill raining Center unable to use the turf track and all the race horse owners unable to have a Maryland race at Fair hill should attend and ask questions and offer solutions.

Bortz' replies and The Horse's questions follow.

Bortz replied April 30 with this statement.

"We wish to provide this statement that should answer your questions. Going forward we will make sure to keep you informed of future steps, and as I said earlier please feel free to contact me with any questions:

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recognizes the importance of the Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area and the Fair Hill Races to Cecil County and the surrounding region. Recent upgrades to the Fair Hill Special Event Zone have enabled Maryland to become a host of the prestigious annual 5 Star equestrian event in October. Fair Hill is one of only two 5 Star locations in the United States and one of only seven worldwide.

When the Moore-Miller Administration took office in 2023, the Fair Hill racetrack had safety concerns related to buried infrastructure. DNR is taking steps to rectify the situation—with the health and safety of both riders and horses top of mind—and is committed to continuing the Fair Hill racing tradition as soon as possible by working in collaboration with community and industry stakeholders to move the facility forward.

The department is in the process of identifying a licensed host organization for the Fair Hill Races. The department is also scheduled to meet with stakeholders in May to receive feedback and determine community interest related to the use of the Special Event Zone at Fair Hill. Ultimately, DNR will make the decision on when horse racing can resume at Fair Hill."

The Horse called Bortz and said "That statement is more evasion and hasn't answered any questions, in fact it raises more", and The Horse then emailed these questions to Bortz.

"What is the buried infrastructure - where is it and why has this only just come up. When will this problem be fixed.

As far as identifying a licensed host organization for the Fair Hill Races, Fair Hill Foundation, which holds the dates for racing at Fair Hill, was told that Sports Corp.manager Jeff Newman would manage the races. Is that now not the case?

As far as ultimately, DNR will make the decision on when horse racing can resume at Fair Hill, I asked WHO would make that decision - in other words, a person to whom questions could be addressed. So, who in the DNR is responsible for making the decision. A name and telephone number to whom questions can be directed.

There's another thing that hasn't been addressed - each fall two dirt paths used by heavy trucking, horses and people cross the track. Following the 5* Event, sod is put down, but sod doesn't grow in during the winter, so basically the four days of Eventing puts the track out of commission for at least seven months. Has this problem been addressed? And if yes, how."

Bortz replied "Hi Ms. Cavanagh,
For now this statement is the response on behalf of DNR."

So still no answers other than the DNR will hold a meeting in May for interested parties to ask questions and suggest solutions.

The fact that every fall the grass is torn up in two places and a dirt path  is used for heavy machinery, horses and people to cross into the infield for the Fair Hill International 5* Event is another problem that hasn't been addressed by the DNR.

To read the original story, go to thehorseofelawarevalley.com, click on NEWS on the top line, far right, and scroll down three or four stories.

The improvements at Fair Hill have cost tax payers millions of dollars but still no turf track -the huge acreage is used once a year for a 5* Event and lies useless for the rest of the year.