No contest

[Binder]

Yet another miscue at the starting gate at Philly Park today

in race 8. The 1a half of the entry the 4 ,6,and 7 were all left in the gate
the race ended up a three horse race by the 1 2 and 5
After the # 1 horse won the race the officials called off the race. All money was returned
You can bring in slots talk about the great improvement to the purses
But this is very bad and its not the first time its been happening far to often
come on now can we get a new gate !

[alydar_ David]

Ouch! That's a beat; after investing your time and energy it's almost like losing. Hopefully, they can get their act together soon.

[jms62]

Had a friend with a horse in the race... Finished 2nd.. Not only is the race a throwout from a wagering perspective, none of the owners that finished are gettting paid... Jocks didn't know the race was going to be thrown out so they tried to win... Now horses need time off, owners had to incur expenses to get to the gate... Bad situation.. IMHO, wagering should be canceled and horseman that reached the finish line should be paid whatever they would have earned. All other moneys should be split amongst owners that got stuck in the gate.... :eek:

[alydar_ David]

http://news.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=30827

Philadelphia Park Starter Tenders Resignation
by Linda Dougherty
Date Posted: 10/31/2005 3:44:43 PM
Last Updated: 10/31/2005 3:44:43 PM

Philadelphia Park has accepted the resignation of its longtime starter, Russell Downes, in the wake of another starting gate miscue that occurred Oct. 30 at the Bensalem Township, Pa., racetrack.
Downes, 65, recently was suspended one week by management after he left the filly Private Gift standing behind the gate while the rest of the field was sent on its way at the start of the $100,000 Pennsylvania Oaks Sept. 5. The track had to refund $128,973 in wagers on the filly.

In the eighth race Oct. 30, a one-mile, $24,000 allowance/optional claiming event, four of the seven horses in the field were left standing in the gate when the latch was sprung. After three horses completed the race, stewards declared it a "no contest" and all wagers were refunded to bettors.

"We spent a lot of time going over the gate and its electrical and mechanical systems today," Hal Handel, chief executive officer of Greenwood Racing, said Oct. 31. "We don't have a clear explanation of what happened. We do know that four horses were locked in their stalls and not permitted to start. We talked to the gate manufacturer and to Rusty (Downes), and we accepted Rusty's resignation this morning. We would like to thank him for his many years of service."

Handel said he estimates the track lost about $50,000 on the Oct. 30 races.

John Stodalack, Downes' backup, is Philadelphia Park's starter until the Pennsylvania State Racing Commission approves new starter. Handel said he didn't know who would be hired to fill the position.

[Binder]

Had a friend with a horse in the race... Finished 2nd.. Not only is the race a throwout from a wagering perspective, none of the owners that finished are gettting paid... Jocks didn't know the race was going to be thrown out so they tried to win... Now horses need time off, owners had to incur expenses to get to the gate... Bad situation.. IMHO, wagering should be canceled and horseman that reached the finish line should be paid whatever they would have earned. All other moneys should be split amongst owners that got stuck in the gate.... :eek:

Thanks Jim and David

Wow I was watching the race and said at least these three
horses will get the purse. Now it was just a total disaster
I am sorry for the old Buck who lost his job
I have noticed the starter for years ,always stood down on the track
with a white floopy hat on

Can I apply for the starters job? :)

[MIKE]

We've had that happen at Finger Lakes this year, with three horses standing behind the gate and the gate opening.
And if your betting Finger Lakes watch the starter. He'll rock back and forth a few times and then start walking toward the gate---that's how you know when he's going to open the gates.
It's like he's telling the jockeys "on your mark, get set,,GO!!!!

What a joke!!!!