Yonkers DQ

[Bogo]

I'm going to put this one out there for maybe someone more experienced than me to explain. Race 8 at Yonkers Saturday night Albergo Hanover taken down and I can't for the life of me see anything that even resembles a violation.

[baconswitchfarm]

He cleared to the quarter in 26.3 and then jammed on the brakes and went 29. The whole field piled up behind him like an accordion and horses swerved all over because of it, and tried not to crash. They placed him last.

[Bogo]

Well it can't be the 29 second quarter because I have seen plenty of races go under 27 first quarter and just as slow to the half. When Marseille won the big trot race at Pocono he he went 26.2 and 57 half and jammed the whole field up. It must have been ruled that he abruptly slowed it down causing swerving like you mentioned. Thanks for your take on it Bacon.

[thespaah]

I see the judges point here.
This is a 4 year old Open.
Pacing a second quarter 3 3/5 ths slower than the opener is a it over the top.
I timed the 4th eighth of a mile with my phone against the video. That was timed in 15.45 seconds. I did it several times and produced an average.
That furlong translates to a quarter of nearly 31 seconds. A dawdling pace for horses of this class.

[tamaharbor]

So you are no longer allowed to control the pace? Abbatiello used to do it all the time.

[fastfasterfastest]

I completely agree. If other drivers don't want the leader slowing it to a crawl, get out after him but I do know many standardbred tracks expect drivers to maintain a "steady" pace. Presumably it's a safety issue as evidenced by the accordian effect in the Yonkers race in question.

[Ray2000]

I don't see it either

GB kicked the horse after the half pole but I think they're saying something before the half.

Maybe new rule changes have something to do with it
http://www.ustrotting.com/content/do...gesfor2019.pdf


We'll find out next Friday
http://horsemen.ustrotting.com/rules_reg.cfm

[Sea Biscuit]

Originally Posted by fastfasterfastest

I completely agree. If other drivers don't want the leader slowing it to a crawl, get out after him but I do know many standardbred tracks expect drivers to maintain a "steady" pace. Presumably it's a safety issue as evidenced by the accordian effect in the Yonkers race in question.

Has the Yonkers judges come out and say the actual reasons for the DQ?

In Ontario we have AGCO judges report, submitted within 3/4 hours after the last race has been run, which tells you the exact nature and explanation for the DQ with official video tapes links not privy to the general public.

For example this is for the 5th race Mohawk July 20, 2019

Race 5 Inquiry in the stretch. #5 Sugartown (Roy) did go inside 2 consecutive pylons in the stretch. #5 did gain an advantage on #’s 3, 4, 6, 7, and 10. #5 was placed 7th behind #10. Page 2 Video-https://youtu.be/91eKXCCstV0Driver L. Roy found to be in violation of rule 18.08.02 C. $100 monetary penalty Sb 51016

For race 7 & 8 they filed this report

Race 7 Horses were sent back to the paddock just prior to the starter calling them in. They were sent back due to a major storm with gusting winds and rain. 20 minute delay and then the horses came back onto the track and raced. Reviewed the break in the stretch by #8 Easy Lover Hanover, no violations. Race 8 weather delay due to lightening 70 minutes

If the horse had an equipment failure, the report informs you of the nature of the equipment failure like for example lost shoe, broken headpole, broken hobble etc etc.

Maybe the American tracks should follow suit and start submitting their own judges reports after the races are over.

[pandy]

I watched the replay of this race and if they took that horse down for slowing the pace and causing interference, that looks like a bad call to me. Sometimes slowing the second quarter can cause a jam up, but I didn't see any evidence of that in this particular race. In the Beal, Svanstedt completely shut down the pace after zooming to the lead, but there was no problem behind him, and there wasn't an inquiry.

[Sea Biscuit]

Originally Posted by baconswitchfarm

He cleared to the quarter in 26.3 and then jammed on the brakes and went 29. The whole field piled up behind him like an accordion and horses swerved all over because of it, and tried not to crash. They placed him last.

Let me ask you this question Bacon.

If the 2nd quarter is the bone of contention, would it have helped the DQed horse's cause if the first quarter had been 28.3 instead of 26.3?

By the way I agree with Pandy, I also see no reason why this horse should have been DQed.

[ReplayRandall]

Just watched the race 3 times....See nothing except for the 6 horse who tried jamming between at the start of the backstretch second time around...Of course, the 6 is placed as the winner.

I saw nothing to warrant a DQ:

https://www.empirecitycasino.com/racing/live-video/

[fastfasterfastest]

I agree with the consensus in this thread, I simply don't see justification for a DQ. Was Brennan supposed to willingly go faster to the half then necessary especially after being parked past the 1/4. Hard to justify these kind of decisions. I can't imagine the connections involved agreeing with the DQ.

[thespaah]

Originally Posted by tamaharbor

So you are no longer allowed to control the pace? Abbatiello used to do it all the time.

Not the point
The rules however are pretty clear on this.
NYS Gaming Commission
CHAPTER I. DIVISION OF HORSE RACING AND PARI-MUTUEL WAGERING.
Subchapter B. Harness Racing
Subsection 4117.4 (e)
"Taking back quickly in front of a horse or an field of horses so as to cause confusion or interference among the trailing horses."
In my opinion, this applies.
When the first quarter is contested in 26:3 and the 4th 8th of a mile time of the leader is over 15 seconds, that's an issue that would get my attention.
I think the judges had a good case here. In my humble opinion of course.
https://www.gaming.ny.gov/pdf/legal/...%202019-04.pdf

[thespaah]

Originally Posted by fastfasterfastest

I agree with the consensus in this thread, I simply don't see justification for a DQ. Was Brennan supposed to willingly go faster to the half then necessary especially after being parked past the 1/4. Hard to justify these kind of decisions. I can't imagine the connections involved agreeing with the DQ.

No.
He could have done what drivers have been doing for decades. Slowing the pace gradually so as to give their horse a bit of a breather while still maintaining the lead.
According to the timing I did using the video, Brennan slowed enough so as to cause drivers behind his horse to be concerned to the point where they either had to slow suddenly or alter course.
If it was just one driver who took up sharply, I'd say too bad for falling asleep at the helm.
But it appeared to me that several drivers had to either take up somewhat or alter course.

[baconswitchfarm]

Originally Posted by Sea Biscuit

Let me ask you this question Bacon.

If the 2nd quarter is the bone of contention, would it have helped the DQed horse's cause if the first quarter had been 28.3 instead of 26.3?

By the way I agree with Pandy, I also see no reason why this horse should have been DQed.

They said he shut it down abruptly after clearing. You can see the horses in 678 after the second turn pile up because of it. I've seen worse stay up and less come down. It would not have stunned me if he stayed up. Lots of times now I'm wrong on what seem like pretty obvious calls in both directions.