Ferndale stewards botch it?

[Imriledup]

On Aug 23rd at Ferndale in the 4th race, there was a 'horse' who was declared a non starter. The reason the horse was declared a non starter is because the starter opened the gates before the rider actually mounted the horse.

Wikkat, with Jorge Herrera reared up in the gate. Herrera dismounted and stood on the sides of the gates waiting for the horse to settle down so he could remount and the guy pushed the button and away they went.

Here's the botch imo.

The 8 horse and 4-5 favorite, Qjuick Sand PW was carried a few lanes wide by the loose horse right after the start of the race. Shouldnt this horse, who ended up finishing 2nd, also be declared a non starter?

How would you have felt if you had QSPW to win or on top in exa's or tri's and know that the loose horse caused you to lose the race?

I don't know the rules for this type of thing, but it doesnt seem fair to the bettors who wagered on the 4-5 shot and get interfered with by a loose horse because the starter prematurely opened the gates.

[Track Collector]

On Aug 23rd at Ferndale in the 4th race, there was a 'horse' who was declared a non starter. The reason the horse was declared a non starter is because the starter opened the gates before the rider actually mounted the horse.

Wikkat, with Jorge Herrera reared up in the gate. Herrera dismounted and stood on the sides of the gates waiting for the horse to settle down so he could remount and the guy pushed the button and away they went.

Here's the botch imo.

The 8 horse and 4-5 favorite, Qjuick Sand PW was carried a few lanes wide by the loose horse right after the start of the race. Shouldnt this horse, who ended up finishing 2nd, also be declared a non starter?

How would you have felt if you had QSPW to win or on top in exa's or tri's and know that the loose horse caused you to lose the race?

I don't know the rules for this type of thing, but it doesnt seem fair to the bettors who wagered on the 4-5 shot and get interfered with by a loose horse because the starter prematurely opened the gates.

Nope, it was just a case of bad luck for those who need the :8: to win . It happens to all of us at one time or another. On the flip side, it was good luck for others who benefited from the actual finish result.

BTW, I think due to the CA budget crisis, fairs now only have 1 steward instead of the usual 3.