Charles Town Spill -- 7 of 8 horses DNF.

...and still went a 42 for the half.


I checked google news, drf, equidaily, and paulick...no update or mention on the main page...unless it's buried somewhere.

[Calzone Lord]

Originally Posted by Coach Pants

...and still went a 42 for the half.

I'm positive that half mile fraction isn't correct. The timing beam at the 1/16th pole was probably tripped by a person or outrider who crossed it by the outside fence to head in the direction of the spill before the #3 got there.

The way I was explained it by a photo finish guy... is that the timing beam starts 20 seconds after the previous quarter mile... and anything that passes the beam after that point will stop the timer. If a spyder is crawling across it, it could trip it. A bird could trip it. A bee could trip it. Tracks like Tampa and Gulfstream that are loaded with insects and birds are notorious for bad clockings. Where as a track like Aqueduct -- New York City in the dead of winter -- is less likey to have those problems. They have a practical swamp with a gator in the infield at Tampa.

[golfer]

Originally Posted by Calzone Lord

I'm positive that half mile fraction isn't correct. The timing beam at the 1/16th pole was probably tripped by a person or outrider who crossed it by the outside fence to head in the direction of the spill before the #3 got there.

The way I was explained it by a photo finish guy... is that the timing beam starts 20 seconds after the previous quarter mile... and anything that passes the beam after that point will stop the timer. If a spyder is crawling across it, it could trip it. A bird could trip it. A bee could trip it. Tracks like Tampa and Gulfstream that are loaded with insects and birds are notorious for bad clockings. Where as a track like Aqueduct -- New York City in the dead of winter -- is less likey to have those problems. They have a practical swamp with a gator in the infield at Tampa.

It's just your average Florida retention pond, and according to a reliable source (initials RG), the gator hasn't been seen in months.

But sea gulls, that's a different story

[VOL JACK]

Go Vols!!!

[cmorioles]

Originally Posted by Calzone Lord

I'm positive that half mile fraction isn't correct. The timing beam at the 1/16th pole was probably tripped by a person or outrider who crossed it by the outside fence to head in the direction of the spill before the #3 got there.

Thanks for that, we all thought the 42 was correct.

They don't call him Scooter for nothin.

[Danzig]

what i don't understand is how it wasn't declared no contest.

[cmorioles]

Originally Posted by Danzig

what i don't understand is how it wasn't declared no contest.

Easy, money.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by cmorioles

Easy, money.

so the lost takeout would be higher than purse money and winning wagers paid? well, i guess it must be if that's what they did.
probably explains the half hour inquiry, they were crunching numbers.

[MaTH716]

Originally Posted by cmorioles

Easy, money.

What happens to the purse money for 2nd, 3rd, etc....?

[dagolfer33]

Originally Posted by Danzig

what i don't understand is how it wasn't declared no contest.

I saw this happen live last night, and since Doug admitted to betting on the race I will admit it as well. How is this not stealing from the bettors? I can understand WPS payouts, but EX- TRI- SF bets should be refunded in this case. ALL PLAYERS get screwed and the track gets over on people?????

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by dagolfer33

I saw this happen live last night, and since Doug admitted to betting on the race I will admit it as well. How is this not stealing from the bettors? I can understand WPS payouts, but EX- TRI- SF bets should be refunded in this case. ALL PLAYERS get screwed and the track gets over on people?????

Once the horses leave the gate unless there is some sort of track malfunction (gate stuck on track, lights go off, etc.) the horses are declared starters. If it had been a claiming race and there was a claim it would have been valid as well.

[Bigsmc]

Originally Posted by Danzig

what i don't understand is how it wasn't declared no contest.

Why would it be? Because of excessive non finishers? Where do you draw the line? When a horse breaks down and two or three others fall over him and lose jocks, nobody says those races should be no contests. Now, seven don't finish and its should be a no contest?

I don't get it.

[robfla]

Originally Posted by Bigsmc

Why would it be? Because of excessive non finishers? Where do you draw the line? When a horse breaks down and two or three others fall over him and lose jocks, nobody says those races should be no contests. Now, seven don't finish and its should be a no contest?

I don't get it.

I believe some states have rules on how many starters must finish in order for it to be an official race

Originally Posted by Danzig

what i don't understand is how it wasn't declared no contest.

There are different rules in various jurisdictions. Here's what we use in California

1544. Calling off Race.
(a) If the stewards determine a race cannot start before midnight or cannot be conducted in accordance with the Board’s rules and regulations, they shall cancel and call off such race.
(b) The stewards may declare a race no contest if mechanical failure or interference during the running of the race affects the majority of horses in such race.
(c) Any wagers on races called off, canceled, or declared no contest shall be refunded, and no purse, prize or stakes shall be awarded.
(d) If a race is called off, canceled, or declared no contest, any submitted claims shall be void.
(e) A race shall be canceled if no horse covers the course.