Canadian John Passero, who is currently working with the New York Racing Association (NYRA) — the promoter of racing at Aqueduct, Belmont Park and Saratoga in the United States — and who has been lending his expertise as a racetrack maintenance superintendent in Jamaica, is of the belief that the racing surface at the Park is an excellent one.

“Excellent racetrack; a very good track you have here in Jamaica,” Passero said in an interview with The Supreme Racing Guide.

The Canadian added: “I have worked at many racetracks and all the racetracks are very similar, but what I can tell you is that this racetrack here at Caymanas Park is a really good racetrack.”

Passero was in the island last week for four days working with the local maintenance crew headed by current track superintendent at Caymanas Park, Everton “Puggy” Henry, to improve the keep and care of the local racing surface.

“It is great to be here in Jamaica at Caymanas Park. It is a great opportunity and I am happy to be here lending my assistance where possible. I am just working with Everton Henry and the guys at the moment.

“We are just going over the maintenance procedures; looking at the racetrack to make sure that the racing surface is good and trying to add to the maintenance, that’s all.

“Since I am here I have been checking the depth of the racetrack, checking cushions, looking at the ways the track is watered, sealing and raking the track, all of those type of things. Just making sure everything is good,” Passero informed.

Over the years there have been numerous complaints from trainers that their horses were breaking down on the racetrack, but Passero is now convinced that things should now be better.

“Every trainer here at Caymanas Park who I have talked to in the mornings say they like it (the racing surface). Nobody has said to me that they don’t like it and so that must be a good thing. Everything is good to them and everything is good with me as well. The racetrack is better now,” Passero said.

Passero started working on racing surfaces in the 1960s when he held the position of track superintendent at the Ontario Jockey Club, which operates the Woodbine racetrack and at the time also Greenwood and the Fort Erie racetracks. His tenure with the Ontario Jockey Club ended in 1977.

Passero then held the position of track superintendent at Arlington Park, outside Chicago, from 1977 to 1987.

However, he is probably best known for his stint in Maryland from 1977 to 2005. There he served as a senior vice-president for the organisation, overseeing the track and stable operations at Laurel, Pimlico and Bowie Racetrack and Training Center. From 2000 until he left in 2005, Passero was also responsible for facility management at all three facilities.

Prior to joining the Maryland Jockey Club, he also spent one season as track superintendent at the Balmoral Race Track in Crete, Illinois.

“Now there is nothing much to do. Henry really takes care of the track well. Just keep watering it and keep it graded and that’s it,” Passero said.