Question about ride on Brother Nick Sar7 8/21/09

[banter]

Okay, I only had the TV feed, so those of you at the Spa yesterday, please tell me how long Kent D was off Brother Nick before the race. My view showed a track handler leading the horse around, up, and into the gate--at least a couple of minutes--sans jockey. All the other jocks were seated.

Isn't there a rule about horses being required to carry their assigned weights for equal time?

Those of you there can perhaps tell me if the rule was followed in that race.

No biggie for me; I had no wager on the race. But if I had, I would be wondering, especially in light of Jerry Bailey's observation that Desormeaux has a rep for finding a way to get off his horse's back, to get weight off the horse, pre-race.

Just wondering if the playing field was level...