Saratoga stewards address rider safety, rough riding

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Though the stewards say they are not judging this Saratoga meet any differently than they have other meets, they did say Saturday that the riders have asked them to “be a little more strict” when observing the races.

The Saratoga stewards -- Braulio Baeza (New York Racing Association), Ted Hill (Jockey Club), and Steven Lewandowski (New York Gaming Commission) -- met with some members of the media following Saturday’s races. This was a regularly scheduled meeting, one that the stewards have tried to hold after big racing days at New York Racing Association tracks. The stewards were available at Aqueduct following the Wood Memorial and at Belmont following the Belmont Stakes and the July 4 Stars and Stripes card.

There had been an inquiry or objection in 18 races this meet through Saturday, with eight resulting in a disqualification.

Lewandowski said “no” when asked if the stewards were judging this meet differently than other meets.
However, Baeza said that at Belmont Park the riders came to the stewards to talk about rough riding.

“We did speak to the riders back at Belmont and they brought their concerns to us,” Baeza said. “They thought we should be a little more strict. They thought it was getting a little rough out there.”

Hill said that complaint was not unique.

“Over the years, or over the meets, that comes up every so often,” he said.

Hill did say that he feels the competitive juices get flowing a little more at Saratoga than almost anywhere else.

“This meet, historically, when we talk to the riders we understand it’s a very competitive meet, the best horses, jockeys, trainers are here," Hill said. "Everybody wants to win, everybody wants to see their horse win at Saratoga. With that, riders have a tendency to be a little, I don’t want to say aggressive, but they ride to win. We try to make it very clear to them because of the [tight] turns of the turf and the rail positions that they need to really be conscious safety is paramount and they have to be aware of their surroundings when they’re making moves.”

There were two incidents on Saturday, one that resulted in a disqualification one that did not. In race 6, Juba was disqualified from second for interfering with Sassicaia in midstretch. Juba, who finished second, was moved to third and Sassicaia elevated to second.

In the $100,000 Lure Stakes, jockey Junior Alvarado, on runner-up Tuttipaesi, claimed foul against John Velazquez aboard Recepta. The stewards disallowed that claim.

“In our opinion we felt the rail was still open,” Baeza said. “Johnny may have taken a step in while Junior was stepping out. In that particular case it wasn’t so much how far he got beat.”

Baeza did say that one thing that the stewards are emphasizing this meet is for riders to try their correct their horses without using the whip.

“We have stressed to many of the riders this particular meet that we want to see a better effort on their part to try and correct with the reins not with the crop,” Baeza said.

All of the adjudications made by the stewards can be viewed at Stewards Corner on the NYRA website.