NYS Gaming Commission, Stewards continue with positive initiatives

[Kasept]

New York simplifies interference calls, publishes names of jockeys required to review races

The New York State Gaming Commission has undertaken additional steps to increase transparency and accountability in the Stewards’ stand, providing both race participants and bettors an improved understanding of the interference rule and publicly announcing which riders are required to review race footage with the Stewards.

With regard to interference, New York is a “Category 2” state, meaning that Commission rules provide that if the interferer is guilty of causing interference and such interference in the judgment of the Stewards has altered the finish of the race, then the interferer is placed behind the offended horse.

The Stewards consider whether the riders of the horse or horses that are offended continue to give effort to the finish of the race.

The Stewards also consider whether the offending jockey acted in a willful or careless manner while interfering with another horse or jockey, for which the interferer may be disqualified, i.e., placed last or unplaced in the order of finish. For example, if an offending jockey acts in a dangerous manner, exhibits extremely improper riding or impedes several horses, the Stewards may disqualify the offending horse without regard to the specific effect of the foul on the order of finish.

For more information, see Commission rule 4035.2 (“Riding foul penalized”).

The Stewards have the authority to require riders to review races with them to discuss potentially problematic or dangerous riding practices. Starting with the weekly report posted online today covering the week of February 9-15, 2016, the Commission publicizes the names of riders scheduled to appear for video race review with the Stewards. The Commission’s weekly reports are posted every Tuesday.