NYRA outlaws late equipment changes

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Beginning Thursday, equipment changes will not be permitted at New York Racing Association tracks once the overnight is published.

A rule that has been published on the overnight for the last several weeks states: “Effective Feb. 1st, only equipment specifically approved by the stewards shall be worn or carried by a jockey or a horse in a race. No equipment changes [including shoes] will be allowed once the overnight is published.”

The first sentence of that is rule 4033.8, published on the New York State Gaming Commission website. The second part, state steward Braulio Baeza Jr. said, is being enforced “to protect the betting public.”

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Baeza said he has received complaints from bettors who claim they were not made aware of late equipment changes – such as blinkers on or off – announced the day of the race. Typically, those changes are published on NYRA’s website in the morning on raceday or announced with scratches and jockey changes.

Baeza said the changes regarding shoes pertains to bar shoes or aluminum pads. Now, those must be declared when entries are made, anywhere from three to five days out from raceday.

“If you have to put a bar shoe or an aluminum pad on, there’s something wrong with the foot,” Baeza said. “The betting public should know.”

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