V J S NEEED YOUR OPINION All DTER'S PLEASE READ AND RESPOND

Hey kids. I was sitting chatting with the stewards today. The subject of the stewards announcing and explaining thier own decisions again came up. Not long after Chairman Shapiro stopped by and joined the conversation. I'm not gonna tell you our opinions on the matter. I want yours.

I know there was a thread on this on another site a few weeks back but it did get much play. I really want to hear from you the fans. Believe me your voice on this one will be considered.

Please this one time don't use this thread to bash the CHRB or say the stewards suck. On this one let's try and stick to the initial subject matter.

Thanks in advance for all your responses.

Looking forward to hearing what you think.

Cheers

Goofy

[TheSpyder]

If they make a change they should explain why. If they don't, they need to explain why...simple as that.

There decision may not be right or their explaination, but even the weather man can explain why hos forcast is wrong. Also, like the NFL, all questionable calls should be reviewed by a higher authority...one here one earth.

Spyder

[Scav]

If the stewards were to announce their decision and reasoning, it would show the perception as they are 'behind' their decision. I think it would be great for them to say "We DQ'ed because of this very incident". Describe to us why you are looking at it, and then explain your decision. I think there is plenty of time between races for them to spend 3-5 minutes describing their reasoning.....

But I think the MAIN thing is just consistency, which I think they 'try' to accomplish.

[sundaysilenceforever]

Originally Posted by Scav

If the stewards were to announce their decision and reasoning, it would show the perception as they are 'behind' their decision. I think it would be great for them to say "We DQ'ed because of this very incident"

But I think the MAIN thing is just consistency, which I think they 'try' to accomplish.

100% of what he said.

[Bigsmc]

Getting an explanation for ANY decision is a good thing.

I think if the Stews give their reasoning, it may clear things up with the betting public and some of the rancor aimed at them may (or may not) be tempered. It will also help some of the newer (or less hardcore) horseplayers to understand the game and they possibly won't be as turned off to the game if they are on the wrong end of a dq. They will have to find another reason to blame the track for putting one over on them.

[ArlJim78]

it should be mandatory that the decisions are explained in a written statement
keeping things out in the open is the best way. i feel they owe it to the players.

[hi_im_god]

i'll stick with the idea that a transcript of the stewards discussion should be available.

that way they don't need to explain anything. it's already there in the open air.

what is the argument against this?

[ArlJim78]

also, i think you would find that the decisions would become more consistent as a result of having to explain them. i'm sure of it.

[Scav]

Originally Posted by ArlJim78

also, i think you would find that the decisions would become more consistent as a result of having to explain them. i'm sure of it.

Exactly. maybe they will hear their reasoning outloud. It gives a sense of ownership and responsibility if they were to grab the microphone and explain their reasoning....

Originally Posted by hi_im_god

i'll stick with the idea that a transcript of the stewards discussion should be available.

that way they don't need to explain anything. it's already there in the open air.

what is the argument against this?

Great stuff guys! Keep it up. BTW a written explanation of all rulings is available by reading the stewards minutes which are available at www.chrb.ca.gov

Thanks so much.

V

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by v j stauffer

Great stuff guys! Keep it up. BTW a written explanation of all rulings is available by reading the stewards minutes which are available at www.chrb.ca.gov

Thanks so much.

V

I had no idea they were published.

I wish we had what the Hong Kong Jockey Club has..... one main site for all results, all incidents reports, everything.

I know it would be a lot of work to get something like that going though.

In the meantime, having a link on Cal Racing or Equibase..... somewhere! I'm just wondering how many other people had no clue that this was available.

[geeker2]

Originally Posted by hi_im_god

i'll stick with the idea that a transcript of the stewards discussion should be available.

that way they don't need to explain anything. it's already there in the open air.

I agree with this approach...

[jwkniska]

Vic,

The 2nd at Belmont today is a prime example. Jock wanted to object, but no outrider to lodge it with, race was made official very quickly, before he got back to call the stewards, so nothing allowed.

The stewards should have at least looked at it, or at very least, explained why they wouldn't allow the objection to be lodged (especially since the outrider that was supposed to be there, wasn't in the 1st turn, to note that a jock wanted to object.. which is something that Jerry Bailey caught right away and noted on tv).

John

[eajinabi]

Camera angles should be a main issue. I believe there should be better camera angles for inquiry purposes especialy on the far turn.

[hockey2315]

There's no legitimate argument AGAINST the stewards explaining their decisions. The more transparency, the better. For once the best interest of the bettors should be considered.

[3kings]

A simple explanation is what I would like. Although the winning horse interfeared with the horse that finished 3rd, we believe it did not effect the final placings, etc...If they review it, they should tell you what they are looking at, and why they changed or did not change the result. It really can be done in 2-3 sentences.

Thank you for asking!

[jwkniska]

I think it can only help with relaying why the stewards make the decisions that they do. If they did explain it, along with showing the replay while they're doing it, it will help in a few ways.
1. it will make things more transparent
2. will show the race fans both at the track and at home that they're trying to be consistant (which I do believe that they are)
3. I agree with Scav with saying that it'll show that the stewards are behind their decision
4. They should also announce why if a claim of foul or inquiry why they would NOT take a horse down.

Having this happen whenever there's an inquiry or claim of foul (DQ or not) would only help the game and the public's perception of it.

[Cannon Shell]

I am for hearing the reasoning behind a stewards decision though I think a written statement may be more effective than an announcement. Especially so if the rule which was violated was shown because very few have access or fully understand the rules of racing and how they differ in different jurisdictions.

[mclem10011]

Originally Posted by v j stauffer

Hey kids. I was sitting chatting with the stewards today. The subject of the stewards announcing and explaining thier own decisions again came up. Not long after Chairman Shapiro stopped by and joined the conversation. I'm not gonna tell you our opinions on the matter. I want yours.

I know there was a thread on this on another site a few weeks back but it did get much play. I really want to hear from you the fans. Believe me your voice on this one will be considered.

Please this one time don't use this thread to bash the CHRB or say the stewards suck. On this one let's try and stick to the initial subject matter.

Thanks in advance for all your responses.

Looking forward to hearing what you think.

Cheers

Goofy

Vic, as many times as I've heard the following: "How could they leave that horse up", OR "What were they lookin at", and other choice words that would not be allowed to be written her, I say without a doubt they should have to explain they're decisions. It may not change how we feel as players about calls we think should, or shouldn't have been made, I know it won't in fact. But it would be great to hear what went into the decisions, one way or the other.

Yeah they could stop betting on races. That would be nice.