NYSRWB Installs Strict Protocols for Belmont Stakes Horses

[slotdirt]

So a horse must be shipped to Belmont three days before the race in order to participate? Lots of trainers ship closer to a race, and sometimes even the morning of a given race.

[TouchOfGrey]

DRF's Jay Privman (@DRFPrivman) tweets:

Even though Michael Matz has Union Rags in the Belmont, no one from NYRA or NYSRWB had bothered to tell him about the mandate.

Matz was planning on shipping Thurs. When I told him Union Rags needed to be on grounds by noon Wed, he said, "I guess we're coming Wed."

Matz: "Jesus, do they make this stuff up as they go along?"

[Riot]

Originally Posted by TouchOfGrey

DRF's Jay Privman (@DRFPrivman) tweets:

Matz: "Jesus, do they make this stuff up as they go along?"

LOL - Matz was an international Olympic-level rider for years. He knows all about strict drug testing, rules filled with minutia, horse access limitations, quarantines, permitted medications and withdrawal times, etc. Hard to unimpress someone that's used to this sort of thing. But they've done it.

Maybe the TB world could take some lessons from those that are further ahead in the drug testing game. But I'm glad to see them do this. I'm sure they sat down with O'Neill and said, "Don't you DARE test positive and ruin our TC"

[Cannon Shell]

While the regulations are a bit over the top this is really a non-issue for the most part.

[pointman]

Originally Posted by slotdirt

So a horse must be shipped to Belmont three days before the race in order to participate? Lots of trainers ship closer to a race, and sometimes even the morning of a given race.

They were required to be on the Churchill grounds I believe the same 3 days prior to the Kentucky Derby, I don't recall anyone complaining then.

[TouchOfGrey]

Originally Posted by pointman

They were required to be on the Churchill grounds I believe the same 3 days prior to the Kentucky Derby, I don't recall anyone complaining then.

The point is that NY is changing the rules late in the game.

[slotdirt]

Originally Posted by TouchOfGrey

The point is that NY is changing the rules late in the game.

And not telling people who might need to know (i.e., Matz) about it.

[slotdirt]

I was just envisioning this happening in 2004 and Smarty Jones and John Servis being denied entry to the Belmont grounds because they shipped up from Philly on the Thursday before the race, police escort and all.

[pointman]

Originally Posted by slotdirt

I was just envisioning this happening in 2004 and Smarty Jones and John Servis being denied entry to the Belmont grounds because they shipped up from Philly on the Thursday before the race, police escort and all.

I'm sure there was even an iota of a chance of that happening if they announced he had to be there by Wednesday 10 days before the race. There are many concerns to have about racing, announcing that horses have to be on the grounds 3 days before a race 10 days out is not one of them.

[pointman]

Originally Posted by TouchOfGrey

The point is that NY is changing the rules late in the game.

I guess I have missed the protocol as to the notice the State Racing and Wagering Board has to give participants in a race. Please enlighten me what the deadline is.

Actually, the point is that the Racing and Wagering Board is taking actions not out of the actual concerns they say, but in reaction to all that has happened with NYRA. But complaining about horses being on the grounds 3 days out when they have given 10 days notice is just looking for something to complain about IMO.

[MisterB]

Originally Posted by TouchOfGrey

The point is that NY is changing the rules late in the game.

bull chit.

[Gaelic Storm]

This feels like John Sabini, the head of the Racing and Wagering Board is trying to show Cuomo he has the stuff to be the new president of NYRA.

[parsixfarms]

Originally Posted by Gaelic Storm

This feels like John Sabini, the head of the Racing and Wagering Board is trying to show Cuomo he has the stuff to be the new president of NYRA.

John Sabini is auditioning for his next job (which won't be NYRA President) in the horse business, after the NYSRWB is disbanded in the fall in favor of Governor Cuomo's new gaming commission.

[MisterB]

Originally Posted by parsixfarms

John Sabini is auditioning for his next job (which won't be NYRA President) in the horse business, after the NYSRWB is disbanded in the fall in favor of Governor Cuomo's new gaming commission.

God forbid someone does the right thing

[parsixfarms]

Originally Posted by MisterB

God forbid someone does the right thing

You're right. I should give the Governor credit for doing the right thing by getting rid of the ineffectual NYSRWB.

[Danzig]

can't believe it's taken this long to put something like this in place-but it should be for all races, not just the belmont. it's one way to keep better track of the horses and what's going on with them. certainly can't know what's going on when they aren't on the grounds.

Someone do the right thing after the pressure has been applied. It's a big roll eyes. Do it in November for the new year. These instant changes are desperation moves to appease a.ssholes.

[slotdirt]

Originally Posted by pointman

They were required to be on the Churchill grounds I believe the same 3 days prior to the Kentucky Derby, I don't recall anyone complaining then.

Really? I'd never heard that.

The difference there is that lots of trainers are based on places like New York or Maryland where shipping from places like Fair Hill even the day of a race is pretty commonplace.

[pointman]

Originally Posted by slotdirt

Really? I'd never heard that.

The difference there is that lots of trainers are based on places like New York or Maryland where shipping from places like Fair Hill even the day of a race is pretty commonplace.

People don't ship to Churchill from Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Louisiana and other places in the Northeast on the day of the race? It is not on the other side of the Rockies from those places you know.

[slotdirt]

Not on Derby day at least.