When Andy Speaks NYRA Listens....

[AeWingnut]

NYRA replaces starter

After numerous incidents in the starting gate at Saratoga, the New York Racing Association (NYRA) announced Monday the promotion of Roy Williamson to the position of starter, replacing Richard Brosseau, who will retire after 31 years with the NYRA starting gate crew. Brosseau was NYRA's starter for the last four years.

Williamson joined NYRA in 1985 as an assistant starter.

In addition, Bob Duncan, NYRA's starter from 1970 to 2004, has agreed to expand his consultant role for NYRA. Duncan, a consultant in starting gate operations to tracks around the world, conducts gate schooling at Saratoga's Oklahoma Training Track from April through October. Starting immediately and extending through the Belmont Fall Championship Meet (September 7 through October 31), Duncan will be responsible for a comprehensive review of all starting gate protocols and procedures.

"We are very pleased to be promoting Roy to his new position," NYRA President and CEO Charles Hayward said. "I am confident that he will work well with Bob Duncan, as we review and update all starting gate procedures. The starting gate is the most important aspect of the race and it requires communication, collaboration and precision. We value Richie Brosseau's contribution to New York racing over the years, and wish him well in retirement."

[SniperSB23]

Originally Posted by Cardus

I thought that the problem with the gate crew was that there were new members to the team.

If that's true, then how is replacing the starter with 30 years experience going to solve the problem in the short run?

That's what I was wondering.

[kenny p]

Roy Williamson lives in my neighborhood. He is a real hard worker. I wish him the best in his new position. KP

[docicu3]

There has to be more to this than we know which is why I put the thread up in the first place.....How did this happen so many times at Toga?? Does this not come down to "TIMING" which seems to be lacking here.

You don't want to start the race too early and have the jocks not be seated but you also don't want to wait too long and have a skittish type flip out because they have been in the gate too long.

Is this not what the problem has been or is there more going on here...

[gamblin4ever]

reading the whole article, it sounds like there was communication problems w/ the crew.

[reese]

The gate problem didn't just start at Saratoga...just got worse.

Belmont had a few non-starter problems this spring/summer; but every day at Belmont least one horse a race usually got loose before loading, broke through the gate, reared-up in the gate and was scratched, refused to load, broke sideways.
I watch NYRA racing every day. This crew has had escalating gate problems for the last 18 months or so.

[docicu3]

I think it is more likely that somehow the process was being handled differently.....I agree that you can hear on the track audio over the
last year or so that there is far more "No No No.....and other meaningless screaming going on than I can remember...we'll see if the new guy in charge can get through the meet without additional after race refunds...