Accident Couldn’t Have Been Helped

On Sunday, Nov. 4, Baldomero, an excellent mare in which I had a major interest, took a misstep on the turf course at Santa Anita and was humanely destroyed. The following Wednesday a Times article attributed a remark to me which inferentially drew blame to the Santa Anita turf course. Actually, the accident could have happened at any place or time. The turf course was not the cause of the accident, but rather, it was a bad step that all athletes and animals take from time to time.

Great champions will be born to race and thrill all of us for many years to come. Their safety is important to everyone involved in racing even though unfortunate accidents will continue to happen from time to time. Despite my despair for the loss of a brilliant racing horse, I am proud to be associated with the persons and animals who are part of such a fine sport.

NEIL PAPIANO, Los Angeles