A case for why horses should be coupled?
 

Hawthorne 4rth race at the 3 min mark. Both owned by Vanier and trained by Williamson. Guess no one including the Stewards cared? Not a peep.


http://www.hawthorneracecourse.com/l.../090425-10.asx

I saw the obvious bump, but I didn't see any interference or preventing the second place horse from running as best he could have.

I don't know why these horses were not running coupled - same trainer and owner? Something peculiar about Illinois rules?

Interesting. [EDIT: I AM STUPID AND CANNOT READ]

Odd quirk. Can look into why some races require it and others don't here.

Either way, not really concerned with the incident in this race, obvious winner making contact with obvious runner up.

Just found out Illinois racing rules permit multiple horses under the same ownership to run as uncoupled entries in races worth $100,000 or more ONLY.

All other races would require coupling for wagering purposes.

I agree with you there but to not even post an inquiry? The head on was a solid bump and frankly the horse was out of control. Same owner, trainer and jockey agent left it up to the stewards to at least take a look. BS rule if you ask me.

Emigh didn't seem upset at all afterwards, fwiw.

I understand how it looks bad, but does flashing the inquiry sign, chatting for 15 seconds and saying "it didn't cause anything at all to change," which we all knew just from watching it live, and taking the inquiry sign down accomplish anything either?

Let's you know the stewards are awake?

Did you see that insane inquiry in the 350 yd race today?

Good point.

may be better to just let them sleep...

no at Haw?

What the hell was the 350yd race in the middle of the card for? Don't think I've ever seen that before at Hawthorne.

They usually put it first, so it's not in any of the pick-4s...was shocked that it was thrown in the middle of that first sequence.