Saratoga's Seventh Race Declared a No Contest

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.