Penn National, After 2 Fatal Breakdowns, Jockeys Decide not to Ride

[Echo Farm]

Riley's Buddha in the first and My Dazzlin Darlin in the second, both 3 year old fillies.

http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbP...&RACE=A&BorP=B

JOCKEYS DECIDE NOT TO RIDE AFTER TWO RACES

GRANTVILLE, PA… Tuesday night’s live racing program at Penn National Race Course came to an abrupt half after two races when the jockeys voted not to ride out the card.

“The jockeys came to us and said they felt that the track was too hard after they rode in the first two races”, said Rob Marella, Director of Racing Operations. “We quickly met with our track maintenance crew, walked the track, and we felt that the track was fine for racing”.

The management team was then joined by a quartet of riders for another walk over the racing surface, but the jockeys continued to express displeasure with the conditions.

“We don’t understand the decision by the jockeys. Unfortunately this decision affects all of the horsemen, our fans who support the industry with their wagering, and our employees.”

http://www.pennnational.com/headline...74439841.shtml

If it hadn't been for the Jockeys who stood up for what was right, more horses (and jockeys) could have been killed or injured. There was no mention of the horses in the article on Penn National's website. I guess they're expendable. The track management should be held accountable for their reprehensible behavior in their wanting to keep the track open. It was based, in my opinion, on pure greed.