9th at Cby!!! Were the results Incorrect?

[Jeff P]

Originally Posted by classhandicapper

Except for Songbird.

YouTube (Short URL)

I recall watching the above NBC Sports slow motion replay that clearly showed Songbird winning by a nose over Beholder.

I recall thinking "How cool would it be if tracks could provide that level of sharpness and detail in their slow motion replays?"

I recall the thread here about the Songbird vs Beholder result.

I also recall contacting the CHRB, the Photo Finish company (Plusmic USA), and NBC Sports --

And finding out NBC Sports was forced to set up their replay camera some 20 yards past the actual finish line.

I also recall being struck with the realization that, had NBC Sports been allowed to set up their replay camera right on the finish line that day - their slow motion replay would have shown Beholder getting her nose down on the wire instead of Songbird.



-jp

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[green80]

Tracks used to post the official finish line photo, maybe not so much anymore. At the track I was always shown the photo when I asked to see it.

[mountainman]

When I worked as a placing judge, an open -door policy resulted on numerous occasions in us giving quick tutorials on the process, and showing a magnified photo (that invariably supported our decisions)to anyone tweaked about the order of finish.

Despite INDISPUTABLE evidence staring them right in the face, none were EVER placated, and a few wanted to fight. And the "aggrieved" horsemen-or players-NEVER once challenged the process or our integrity, instead looking STRAIGHT at photos showing their horses beaten a clearly distinguishable nose (long nose, even a short head) yet, triumphantly proclaiming : "See, I KNEW you guys must be blind!!!!"

[CBYRacer]

Originally Posted by mountainman

When I worked as a placing judge, an open -door policy resulted on numerous occasions in us giving quick tutorials on the process, and showing a magnified photo (that invariably supported our decisions)to anyone tweaked about the order of finish.

Despite INDISPUTABLE evidence staring them right in the face, none were EVER placated, and a few wanted to fight. And the "aggrieved" horsemen-or players-NEVER once challenged the process or our integrity, instead looking STRAIGHT at photos showing their horses beaten a clearly distinguishable nose (long nose, even a short head) yet, triumphantly proclaiming : "See, I KNEW you guys must be blind!!!!"

Not surprised by this. Confirmation bias at its finest. Enjoyed reading your firsthand insights.

[Jeffwb]

Originally Posted by mountainman

When I worked as a placing judge, an open -door policy resulted on numerous occasions in us giving quick tutorials on the process, and showing a magnified photo (that invariably supported our decisions)to anyone tweaked about the order of finish.

Despite INDISPUTABLE evidence staring them right in the face, none were EVER placated, and a few wanted to fight. And the "aggrieved" horsemen-or players-NEVER once challenged the process or our integrity, instead looking STRAIGHT at photos showing their horses beaten a clearly distinguishable nose (long nose, even a short head) yet, triumphantly proclaiming : "See, I KNEW you guys must be blind!!!!"

Thanks for sharing! I know the time I did go into the office at Cby and visited with the person who at that time was managing the photos he was very helpful with the quarter horse race in question and after seeing the larger photo it was easy to understand what happened. That was probably over 10 years ago but I was definitely satisfied. But I do believe, like you said, for people that own the horses, and pay the bills, it's tougher to convince them.

In this case, with a few days removed, I'm also thinking if I went into the office again (but I live in Arizona now and definitely would not; plus I did not actually even wager on the race in question) I would be satisfied with what they showed to me. But just to state again, wow does that slow motion replay camera make it look otherwise (due to the angle). If one does not know how much angles affect the view, it looks like my original statements were spot on.

Mountainman, thanks again for sharing your much more direct experience of situations like this!

[mountainman]

Originally Posted by Jeffwb

Mountainman, thanks again for sharing your much more direct experience of situations like this!

Tx, jeff. My pleasure. Sometimes , first-hand reports about how racing actually works behind the scenes can prove illuminating even for the sharpest of theorists.

At this point of my career, I've loosened up a lot about telling "taboo" anecdotes from my 30-years as a racing official. I'm sure that on the show, or during some interview, i will finally go too far. But the consequences will be a small price for all the candor I've built a rep on, and that, hopefully, has distinguished my commentary.