Wabtoo

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by monipenny

Actually the starter at Aqueduct screwed the pooch again with that race. Monies would have been refunded if Wabtoo had not hit the board. If he had not placed he was definitely declared a non-starter. This guy who replaced the most recent fired starter is certainly under enormous pressure, but come on. He almost got a jock killed the day before when popping the gate to soon once again. Ny has to get a handle on this quick!!!

Really? I watched the race and break numerous times, and the head-on of the break five times, and saw a horse break nominally slowly after possibly brushing the gate. None of that is congruous with starter error.

NYRA has actually been overly careful and generous about refunding horses for problems at the start. Since replacing the starter at Saratoga, and having Bob Duncan help for a few months, the situation has been a great deal better. I saw absolutely nothing, and believe me I studied this start very carefully, that coincides with your claims.

[blackthroatedwind]

I'll look into the stewards telling someone that horse should have been a non-starter. I'm not necessarily doubting you but I've learned to be careful what I believe around the racetrack.

As for the incident Thursday, the starter can't be considered accountable for everything that happens in the gate and I'm in no position to place blame. Since the change in Saratoga things have been very good overall. Nobody was more vocal publicly than I was about the problems at the gate but I haven't been unhappy with what I have seen since the summer. That doesn't mean things are necessarily perfect but in a very tenuous situation it's difficult to place blame. The gate is an extremely dangerous place whether the starter is competent or not.

That horse is probably the best horse in that field and just feels like a horse that for whatever reason blew it in its debut. I have to trust what I see, and like you I didn't see anything with my eyes that indicates starter error, and I'm sure you'll agree that many racetrack stories need to be taken with a grain of salt.