Did anyone see this?

[the_fat_man]

I'm no fan of Arroyo; and even less a fan of the inadequacy of NYRA's video crew (it's 2008, do you think we might FINALLY get a TRUE HEADON of the stretch run?). With that said, and thus accounting for the lack of a TRUE HEADON, it appears that the filly was trying to get out (not significantly but trying nonetheless) and Arroyo was protecting himself, the horse, and horses to his outside and behind him, by trying to keep her straight--note the horse that shoots by to his outside just before the wire. A bit extreme, certainly, but justifiable nonetheless.

This is a distasteful subject: if NYRA (and most other tracks) can't provide adequate camera angles then they really shouldn't fine (or DQ) anyone, as doing so is based on assumptions rather than (correct interpretation of) facts.