Gulfstream Park: Fans will get more information about calls made by stewards

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Gulfstream Park has announced a new policy whereby the track will provide bettors with more information regarding stewards’ decisions following rider objections or inquiries.

Track announcer Larry Collmus will provide a detailed explanation for each ruling while a replay of the infractions is highlighted and played from pan and head-on angles throughout the facility. A statement by the stewards will also be posted on the track’s website following each decision.

“We truly believe the bettor deserves a detailed explanation as to why a horse has or has not been disqualified,” said Gulfstream president Tim Ritvo. “We need to continue to find ways to improve the integrity and transparency of the sport. We have not done a good job explaining why our stewards have disqualified a horse and we’re going to change that. We have a few changes we will implement immediately and are studying other ideas to help clarify these situations, including putting a camera and microphone in the stewards’ booth.”

Ritvo said he has talked to several track officials and stewards from a variety of locales about this situation, which came to national prominence last Saturday after Collinito was disqualified from an apparent victory in the nightcap. A victory by Collinito would have rewarded one single ticket holder with the entire $1.4 million Rainbow 6 jackpot.

“I have talked to several track officials and respected stewards around the country looking for ways to improve the situation,” said Ritvo. “Obviously there’s never going to be a 100 percent consensus whether a horse should or should not be taken down in certain situations. We just want the stewards to be consistent and to treat each race individually because every scenario is different.”