Saratoga moves last three scheduled Sunday turf races to dirt
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SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Due to concerns expressed by jockeys about the conditions of the Saratoga turf courses, the New York Racing Association moved the last three scheduled turf races of Sunday’s card to the dirt, creating chaos and frustration for bettors.
Due to the surface switches, the last three legs of both the pick-6 and late pick-5 were declared all-wins, which drastically changed the complexion the payoffs would be in those wagers. The last leg of the middle pick-4 was also declared an all-win.
The pick-6, which handled $246,269, was going to return $431.50 for $1, according to the will pays. The late pick-5, which handled $921,773, was going to return $25 for $0.50.
Concern over the turf courses came following race 4, when Ever Summer suffered a catastrophic injury to her left foreleg at the top of the stretch and had to be euthanized. Also in that race, Frivole was pulled up by jockey Manny Franco entering the first turn. Trainer Graham Motion reported that Frivole was okay and back in her stall.
Ever Summer was the second fatality on the Saratoga turf course in four programs and third over the turf this meet in 19 programs. Sopran Basilea, who finished fourth in Thursday’s Grade 2 Glens Falls Stakes, was euthanized with a fractured ankle. Blame It on Mary suffered a fatal injury sprinting on turf on July 23. There was a fourth fatality at the meet, Maple Leaf Mel, on dirt in Saturday’s Grade 1 Test.
On Sunday, the decision to move races 7, 9 and 10 to the dirt was announced as horses were about to load for race 6, the first leg of the late pick-5. Bettors were not given the opportunity to make changes to their wagers to account for the surface switches.
Jockey Javier Castellano, who rode the first turf race on Sunday, felt the turf course “seemed too chewed-up. It’s not even at the top of the stretch, horses seem to bobble a lot.”
Castellano said that Frank Gabriel, NYRA senior vice president of racing operations, asked a few jockeys their thoughts on the turf course. Castellano said the jockeys told him it was “soft, uneven.”
Pat McKenna, NYRA senior vice president of communications, said that after management met with some of the jockeys there was not a consensus on issues with the turf course.
“NYRA, sensing that there was concern, decided to remove those races and we’ll be evaluating the condition of the turf courses,” McKenna said.
NYRA also plans to adjust the temporary rail positions of the turf courses moving forward. Since July 26, the rails on the turf courses have been out 18 feet. According to the overnight, beginning Wednesday the rails will be out 27 feet.
Through the first 19 days of the meet, NYRA has conducted 72 turf races and had to transfer 27 other scheduled turf races to the main track. NYRA also canceled the final four races on Friday’s card including the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, which has been rescheduled for Friday.
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