NY Jockeys Going on STRIKE

[Rudeboyelvis]

Desilva, call your office

[blackthroatedwind]

I think some posters need to look up the word " irony ".

was it that bad of a ride?

[Rudeboyelvis]

Originally Posted by robfla

was it that bad of a ride?

This always happens when the longshot wins the Overnight Stake

[smartyalex]

hmmmmmm

[philcski]

I'll agree with them on one thing- Jamaica Hospital is pretty awful.

[Storm Cadet]

Agreed..Jamaica Hospital is not a first class hospital and they are not set up for sports medicine trauma injuries like the major hospitals in NYC.

Another problem is the constant fighting for control of the health care of NYRA jockeys by the 2 main competing sports medicine programs in New York. Pro Health Care Assoc based out of Long Island which covers the Jets-Islanders and Hofstra and Hospital for Special Surgery based in NYC with satellite offices in Queens and Long Island which covers the Giants-Knicks-Mets-St. Johns.

Both groups state on the web sites that they cover NYRA but in reality neither covers the jockey colony or backstretch exercise riders unless they are contacted directly by a jockey agent who needs medical care.

It's too bad the jockey agents can't get organized for the benefit of the riders and strike a deal with either health care company for a comprehensive NYRA medical program. I know everybody will say that jockeys are INDEPENDENT contractors, but it is basically the same as NASCAR with has independent race teams but NASCAR management arranges for a major hospital in NC to oversee and provide sports medicine trainers and MD's at each race site for each event to provide sports medicine care to drivers and pit crews and technicians. The host track organizes the emergency facility for fans and major crashes. The same program is in effect at all INDY car races by a hospital based out of Indianapolis. NYRA can't compete with mega sport NASCAR, but a smaller health care setup could and should work with only 3 BEL-AQU-SAR tracks to cover. They just need to add an on-call type person to fast track the athletes in case of emergencies and to assist them with surgeries and rehab.

I know Jerry Baily's and Mig's agents used a on-call person to help their guys!

[SCUDSBROTHER]

Can't they contract to have a copter very close by(so they can take them to a place that has a trauma center...if necessary.)

[kenny p]

Originally Posted by philcski

I'll agree with them on one thing- Jamaica Hospital is pretty awful.

if you have a traumatic injury its not a bad place to go. Just dont want to stay too long.