[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by the_fat_man

I think the issue is a bit more complicated than it appears.

Watching races and making decisions based what one sees is both very technical and an art. Very few are expert at it. I doubt that the best race watchers in the country are working as stewards. I doubt, in fact, that any of the stewards are even remotely good race watchers. This isn't meant as criticism of the stewards but more general criticism of the industry; for example, I would bet that most of the video people, those responsible for the position and perspective of the cameras are clueless when it comes to what the trip handicapper wants to see in the film of a race. This is tape that the stewards rely on, btw. Now, say there's an incident in the stretch run of a turf sprint on the inner at BEL. How exactly do the stewards make a decision when the stretch run appears as if it is shot from Linden BLVD? Technology is not in place, in this case, for a rational decision. Yet, they're taking our money. Give the stewards BETTER resources.

The viewing of a race can be a very subjective event with a plethora of different interpretations. Assume that the stewards go out of their way to provide written explanations; or whatever else some of the others have mentioned as being sufficient to appease them. Since a strong majority of race watchers are clueless when it come to 'watching races', you'll always have a whole bunch of people disatisfied with any decision. Many a time I've shaken my head at some of the interpretations of races; interpretations I thought were OBVIOUS. And, I'm sure, others has also thought my take on a given race to be ridiculous.

So what do I want? 2 things; 1 to make the game a bit fairer; 2 to make the game a bit safer for the jockeys and horses.

1) I want the stewards to show me that they actually understand what happens in races and DQ and FINE any jockey that herds in the stretch (or at any other point). Castellano, for example, has won quite a few races by herding out and intimidating a horse that is making a winning move. The NBA is finally going to do something about the FLOPPERS; racing needs to take this advantage away from the herders.

2) any jockey that does not stay in lane when going into (or while in any part) of a turn needs to be FINED!!!. There are far too many instances of jockeys/horses getting pinched going into the turn because the idiot in the 2 path can't stay in the 2 path. Fine the MOFOS before someone gets killed. Show the public that the stewards as least have a clue in this area.

Give me these two changes and I'll be a happy horse player.

DQ's are part of the game and there will always be disagreements about them.

For someone who likes to call out people for being clueless, this seems to show a complete lack of understanding of how horses run