The seventh race at Saratoga Race Course July 24 was declared a no contest by the stewards following a bizarre incident during the running of the 1 1/16-mile race on the Inner turf.
After the field of nine left the starting gate and headed into the clubhouse turn, workers began the procedure of removing the starting gate and the tractor that pulled it onto the course.However, a mechanical issue with the starting gate tractor created a delay in removing the gate after the field broke. According to Dr. Jennifer Durenberger, the Jockey Club Steward, a member of the starting gate crew notified the stewards via radio that there was a malfunction.
At that time, the field was approaching the half-mile pole.
An outrider began waving his arms, signaling the jockeys to pull up, which many of them did.
While this was going on, a second tractor was brought onto the course. The crew was able to attach it to the first tractor and starting gate and get it off the course.
When the field of 2-year-old fillies got into the stretch, several jockeys began riding their horses again. At the end, it was Towhead, owned by Deuce Greathouse, Cindy M. Hutson, and Brett Setzer, and ridden by Tyler Gaffalione, who edged the 4-5 favorite, Klaravich Stables' Idea Generation, and jockey Irad Ortiz Jr.
After a 30-minute delay, track announcer John Imbriale told the crowd that the race was deemed a no contest.
"Ensuring a safe racing environment for jockeys and horses is paramount," Pat McKenna, vice president of communications for the New York Racing Association, said in a statement. "Our outriders are highly skilled and experienced professionals who made a swift decision based on concern for the safety of the jockeys and horses."
All wagers placed starting in the seventh race were refunded. Pick 3, Pick 5, Pick 6, and Grand Slam wagers were considered an "all" for the corresponding leg of the wager. For the double that started in the sixth race, consolation payouts were given.
According to McKenna, each owner with an entry in the seventh race will receive $3,150. The race carried a purse of $105,000.
FAQs
Malfunction with starting gate forces New York Racing Association to make ruling. The seventh race at Saratoga Race Course July 24 was declared a no contest by the stewards following a bizarre incident during the running of the 1 1/16-mile race on the Inner turf.
What happened in the seventh race at Saratoga? ›
A horse in the seventh race at Saratoga suffered a fatal cardiac event on Wednesday and died. This was the 12th horse death at Saratoga in 2023. It came just after NYRA said Wednesday that they're taking new steps to improve safety for horses. The new requirements apply to both racing and training, on-site.
Why was race 7 at Saratoga refunded? ›
All bets made on Sunday's Race 7 were refunded
One the field of 2-year-olds left starting gate, the tractor broke down. A second tractor was immediately hooked up to remove the starting gate from the Inner Turf Course.
What race did Secretariat lose in Saratoga? ›
Suffering from a fever, he lost the Whitney Stakes at Saratoga to Onion in August and the Woodward Stakes at Belmont Park to Prove Out. But he went out in triumph.
What famous race is in Saratoga? ›
Since 1864, the track has been the site of the Travers Stakes, the oldest major thoroughbred horse race in the United States.
Why is the race at Saratoga called the Alabama? ›
The Alabama Stakes is named in honor of William Cottrell of Mobile, Alabama. "Alabama" was the name settled on because Cottrell was too modest to have a race named for him personally.
What happened to the horse that fell at Saratoga today? ›
Ever Summer was euthanized after a fall during the fourth race at Saratoga on Saturday. Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., who was aboard the 4-year-old filly, walked to an ambulance after the fall and, after being cleared to ride he took his mount in the next race.
Is there still harness racing at Saratoga? ›
The harness track at Saratoga Casino Hotel features live racing from February - December each year.
Why was race 5 at Saratoga cancelled today? ›
A power outage at Saratoga Race Course on Wednesday afternoon before the fifth race delayed the start and eventually forced NYRA to cancel that event.
Who was faster Seabiscuit or Secretariat? ›
That would be horse racing legend Secretariat, who earned the three-race title in 1973 and holds the fastest combined time for each of the three races. Secretariat still holds the record for the fastest Kentucky Derby-winning time.
Secretariat - The Triple Crown Legend
This phenomenal Thoroughbred, also known as "Big Red", won the Triple Crown in 1973, setting new race records in all three events - records that still stand today. Secretariat's record-breaking speed in the Belmont Stakes reached an estimated 37.5 mph.
Is Secretariat Bloodline still alive? ›
Border Run held the title of the eldest horse in Secretariat's bloodline for nearly two years, until he died in late 2022. The other sole known survivor is 33-year-old Maritime Traveler, who lives in Florida.
What does refund mean in horse racing? ›
If the horse is scratched, you get a refund. If the horse is declared a non-starter (very rare), you get a refund. (Unless your scratched/non-starter horse is part of a multiple-race wager, like a Pick Six, in which case the rules that apply vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.)
What happened at Saratoga on Saturday? ›
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. -- Arcangelo won the $1.25 million Travers by a length at Saratoga on Saturday, but the day was marred by the deaths of two horses, bringing the total to seven horses who have died at the summer meet.
What happened to ever summer at Saratoga? ›
Ever Summer sustained a catastrophic injury to her left front leg in the final turn of the turf race and was euthanized, according to the New York Racing Association.
How much revenue does Saratoga Race Track generate? ›
According to the study, which measured figures from the 2021 season, the Race Course is responsible for over $370 million in sales and nearly 3,000 jobs annually. It also generates roughly $2.3 million in tax revenue for Saratoga County.
