Aqueduct runs race at wrong distance

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Monday's first race at the Belmont at Aqueduct meet was run at the incorrect distance of five furlongs instead of its scheduled 5 1/2 furlongs due to a graphic error in the official program, the New York Racing Association said.

The maiden race for 2-year-olds was scheduled for 5 1/2 furlongs, a distance which was listed in the condition book, on the overnight, and which was stated in the verbiage in the program. But the graphic printed in the upper left hand of the program showed the race being run at five furlongs. State steward Braulio Baeza said the gate crew places the gate based on the graphic.

The race was won by War Tax, who beat his Carlos Martin-trained stablemate My Mitole by two lengths.

“This is a highly unusual scenario and despite the correct distance being written in the program, on the overnight, and across wagering platforms, the race was unfortunately contested at the incorrect distance,” NYRA spokesman Pat McKenna said. “NYRA will review its protocols to ensure this scenario does not present itself again.”

In 2018, at Saratoga, a turf race scheduled for 1 1/16 miles on turf was run at the incorrect distance of 1 1/8 miles.

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