Stewards’ early call Sunday proves correct

A decision by the Gulfstream stewards early on the Sunday card ultimately proved a wise one.

Tommy No Read, a 2-1 shot, was scratched at the gate prior to the third race, a maiden-claiming sprint, when apprentice Tyler Gafflione refused to ride the 3-year-old colt. Instead of getting a substitute rider, the stewards decided to go ahead and run the race, not only denying the connections of Tommy No Read a chance to compete but also costing Gulfstream an undetermined amount of wagering handle.

Afterward, steward Jeff Noe said too much time would be consumed in making a switch. Those saved minutes proved valuable by the time the 11th and final race approached. The race was delayed when Hudson Miracle got loose prior to the start, and another horse, Takepointsandrun, had to be scratched when acting up in the gate. The race finally was dispatched at 5:58 p.m. Eastern, right before it would have been too dark to run.