NYRA gate crew
 

They are the best arent they?

They lead the country in both gate scratches and non starters. Its an epidemic there. You dont here one thing from management even acknowledge they have to improve on it. If I was management I would not be happy to refund all the money they have to day after day after day.

If I sound bitter I am after todays latest.

What exactly happened with Rumspringa?

Well it's definitely the impression you want to leave with patrons who are at the races for the first time. Let's show them how the gate crew works with their overboard chants of no and piss poor composure for a profession where it's a requirement. Let's also show these new patrons that we'll scratch the horse but won't refund any other wagers even though the scratched horse interfered with one of the front runners.

That ought to sell the new patrons and convince them to come back.

The Gate Crew guy held a hold of him as the gate opened, tossed the jock, and she caused havoc down the stretch.

Maybe just a major coincidence but it was the number 9 horse at belmont a month or so ago this happened at belmont.......and even more coincidence it was a contessa horse too.

I gather that some of you think the NYRA gate crew are the worst, obviously you haven't watched enough races from minor tracks. I was at Canterbury last year when one of the crew also had ahold of the horse when the gate opened. In this case, he must have been entwined pretty good in the horse's bridle because when the gate opened it wasn't only the horse and rider that came flying out, but the guy with the gate crew came out as well and fell down to the track in front of the horse. Luckily the jock grabbed hold of the horse immediately. Very lucky that the guy wasn't trampled. The rest of the story was that it was the horse's first start on the turf. He was a fairly decent price and I had a nice win bet on him. He was declared a non starter so I got a refund. Of course he came back a week or so later in another turf race and somehow I missed the entry. Naturally he won. Don't remember what he paid, but I think it was somewhere between $10-$20

I don't think NYRA is the worst, but it does happen a bit there.

I do watch the lower level tracks, probably more then I watch NYRA tracks.

Do you know how many times Penn National has cancelled due to Gate Crew issues?

It just is a pain for everyone when it happens, at Saratoga or at Wyoming or anywhere.

I'm not trying to defend the gate crew, but late scratches and gate scratches are often different things. I realize what caused today's scratch, but let's remember that "late scratches" often occur because a horse acts up in the post parade (no fault of the gate crew) or is scratched by the vet/jockey due to an insufficient warm up. I hear people complain about these sort of scratches all the time; personally, I'd rather have the horse scratched than run a horse of questionable soundness.

With today's event....I totally agree! Enough with the "screams' as they go into the gate. These guys are getting all to common with events like this.

Question, Levine entered a claim for Rumspringa. He was declared a non starter. What Happens? and Why?

Levine celebrates by doing 5 keg stands in a row.

Oh so Levine is stuck with him now. Well in that case...

Basement, chair, noose.

I think Winning move stables (the owners before the race) are getting screwed. I guess that they didn't mind losing the horse, because that had a good shot of making some purse money. Then they lose him and have absolutely no chance at any purse money. That doesn't seem fair. Isn't being a non starter essentially the same thing as not being in the race. If he was scratched at the gate he would not be able to be claimed, right? The argument would have been the same thing on the other side if (God Forbid) he broke down during the race. How could you claim a horse that is declared a non-starter. You would think that NYRA would have a clear cut rule for this sort of thing.

Levine's KEGGER probably had to wait for the 16 Rolaids he must have popped during the running of that race. Let's just say that there were a few anxious moments.

So the rule is there to protect the bettors. I guess this type of situation has not come up that often, where the jock falls off the horse because of a gate mishap. Maybe they could amend the rule, for a freak occurrence like this one. I understand that the owners still had the chance to get some purse money, but because of the starter Ramon fell off. Then they lose the horse. Still seems unfair.

Here is the rule, from the NYS Racing and Wagering Board website:

THOROUGHBRED

Sections 4009.21 and 4115.10 of Title 9E NYCRR are amended to read as follows:

4009.21 Refund -- non-starter.

(a) When a horse starts. Every horse shall be considered a starter when the stall gates open on the signal of the starter, unless the stewards declare a horse or horses non-starters because, in their opinion, the horses’ chances were compromised leaving the starting gate. If so, all bets on the non-starters will be refunded unless the horse wins. For placing and program purposes, the non-starters will be considered to have run for purse only.

(b) If it be determined by the stewards that a horse is declared a non-starter, the money bet on the horse shall be refunded; if such horse is part of an entry or field, such circumstances shall be treated as a scratch for wagering as provided in section 4009.20 of this Part, notwithstanding the placing of any remaining part of the entry or field.

Contessa is appealing the claim. Who do you guys think should get the horse? I believe that Contessa should keep the horse, for reasons listed in other posts in the thread. But I have a bad feeling that the claim will stand and he will be Levine's.

I think the claim should be voided...

IMO, if a horse is declared a non starter,it should be treated like a scratch- all claims voided and no purse money.

I agree, the claim should be voided and no purse money.

Why does the gate crew stay in the gate prior to the start of the race?
After they load the horses they should get out and then the starter opens the gate to start the race. I think there wouldn't be as many problems.

OOPs they did it again. What's with these guys? Do they forget they are supposed to let go of the bridle when the gates open? #5 in the 5th at SAR. And the Stews take No action?

The gate person keeps the horses' head straight ahead, and hopefully all four feet on the ground, so each horse is straight and positioned well-centered and ready in the gate for the break. It's a very dangerous job.

Supposedly NYRA replaced many of last years gate crew because of the gate problems at Saratoga in '06. Maybe they should have kept them.

Gate Crew is not the only issue:
From DRF.com
There was some controversy at the post position draw for the Test. It was originally drawn with 12 runners as High Again was inadvertently left out of the field. The race was redrawn and some contenders drew significantly different posts.

Silver Knockers, a filly who has been saddled with an inside draw in four of six starts, originally had post 12. Now, she'll break from the rail, a post Nick Zito did not want.

"I'm not too happy about it," Zito said. "It's a Grade 1 race, I'd like to know how you could forget to a put the horse in."

'all bets on the non-starters will be refunded unless the horse wins. For placing and program purposes, the non-starters will be considered to have run for purse only. '

the horse ran, but unless he wins, all bets are refunded. declared a non starter doesn't mean he flat missed the race. the claim should stand.

you don't want to lose the horse, don't run him for a tag. had he been injured, you can bet your behind the former owner would be squealing if the claim was voided.

If they hold Sumwon at the gate Sunday they are going to have about 50 angry owners charging them.

saratoga 5th race
 

the stewarts should have at least explained what the inquiry was about-the non start was so evident -I've been at the track foe 50 years -this really was upsetting. jts

saratoga 5th race
 

the stewarts should have at least explained what the inquiry was about-the non start was so evident -I've been at the track for 50 years -this really was-
upsetting. the siacca horse almost took the asst starter around the oval- please look at the 5th race on friday 8/3 tell me if I'm wrong!

I've been at the track since 1776 and I have never seen anything like that before. And i've seen pilgrims in the infield doin' the doo!

So it happened again in todays 5th race, is this some kind of joke?

Today's incedent was Johnny V's fault. He reached down to adjust his stirrup and then reached over and held onto the bar on the side of the gate. The gate opened and he was holding the bar. The gateman let go of the horse, JV was holding onto the gate. IMO since the mishap was the fault of the rider NOT the starter, he should not have been declared a non starter. Can you tell I had Stonewood at 5-1 and got paid 7.20?

I know that I am late to the party, but I just saw the replay. The people who really got screwed were the people who backed the 8 horse with Luzzi on it. I don't know how he stayed on, it almost looked like the 2 piggy backed him for a few yards. I think the horse hit the board anyway, but that start took almost all chances of him winning away.

What's the deal with Johnny V?
 

I haven't been able to follow the Saratoga meet much during the week because of my work hours but I heard today that Johnny V. has been involved in four gate scratches/incidents in the last few weeks. . . Can anyone corroborate this and if so, what's going on?

Best racing in the country my friends..........gate crew...not so hot

Was looking for this thread and you had already bumped it.

Another non-starter in the Adirondack....too much....

I'm not sure what the guy was supposed to do...from the head on it looked like the gate opened - the horse reared up and brushed his leg while she was up on her hind legs...no real place for him to go at that point - if the horse breaks cleanly it's not even a discussion....Personally I don't agree with the call