Stewards in hot water

Being investigated for wrong placing; fines likely

 

David Miles "Fewer mistakes than others"

Many fans called for firing the stewards after they posted the wrong order of finish after the fifth race last Wednesday. But David Miles, chairman of the Manitoba Horse Racing Commission, said it's more likely they will be fined. That will depend on the recommendation by lawyer Dan Williams, a former racing commissioner, who will investigate the mis-placement, he said.  It should also result in revamping procedures so this never happens again, he said.  Two stewards are responsible for signing off on the correct order of finish, Miles said.

At the same time, Miles said he feels local stewards "make fewer mistakes" than stewards in other jurisdictions.  He made the comment after he was asked whether he had told racing commissioners two weeks ago that local stewards "are the best in Canada."  Commissioner Bob King said that's what Miles had told them.

Despite a photograph that shows even-money favourite #6, Senator Matty beating #1, Antarian (4-1), by half a head, the stewards posted #1 as winning the race, setting the stage for a frenzied reaction from fans until, six minutes after the race was made official, Darren Dunn announced the finish was under review.  After the correct result was posted, cries of "fire the stewards" echoed throughout the plant, with fans noting how harshly and unsympathetically the stewards penalize jockeys and other backstretch people.

The full financial loss to the track will not be known for several weeks after the Downs receives reconciliation reports from the dozens of racing partners around the continent.  The Downs must stomach the loss despite the fact they have no control over the stewards who are provincial employees.

The jockeys who rode the two horses--Jennifer Reid on Senator Matty and Paul Nolan on Antarian--couldn't believe the result themselves.  Reid remained on her horse for awhile after the result was posted, holding out her hands to illustrate the length of her victory.  The photo has two views:  The mirror image of the horses crossing the finish line is crisp and clear but the side view is less clear, perhaps leading to the errant call.  There was no hesitation in Dunn's race call, however:  "Senator Matty wire-to-wire to take the fifth."

               Watch the controversial race below in FINISH OF THE WEEK

The Aaron Sayler-trained She's Copacetic, fourth choice in the betting, leaves race-favourite She's Regal in the dust to win the Jack Hardy Stakes Saturday, one of four victories the conditioner chalked up on the weekend

Trainer Aaron Sayler Emerges from dad's shadow

He was the most nattily dressed horseman on the grounds last weekend so you knew something was up--and it was. Trainer Aaron Sayler finally emerged from the shadow of his Derby-winning dad Ardell to appear in the Winners' Circle again and again and again and again--in the $40,000 Sales Stakes (Arstar $6) and the $30,000 Jack Hardy Stakes (She's Copacetic $11.60) and in two claiming races--Naughty Dotty ($7) Friday and My Ponies Painted ($11.80) Saturday.

He finally was able to shake off a severe case of seconditis that dogged him through June and July.  And he could even dismiss as mere fluff a Daily Racing Form story Friday that erroneously linked his star horse, Arstar, to his father instead of him. You couldn't blame him for wondering what a guy needed to do to get respect.   

Well, he's not wondering any more.  And sharing the spotlight with him in the Winners' Circle on the weekend were Tom and Gail Payne of T G Stables, owners of Arstar, She's Copacetic and Naughty Dotty.  

At least Aaron could now say he was on an equal plane with daddy who stacked up two stakes victories of his own, taking the $30,000 Debutante with Two Barrel Tootsie ($14.90).and the $30,000 Osiris with Da Hoot ($12.50).  Which meant the Sayler clan devoured four of the five weekend stakes.  And the $50,000 Distaff?  They thoughtfully left that for trainer Shelley Brown's and K-5 Stable's Golden Stripe ($2.70).

If Aaron has a superstitious bent, I expect to see him wearing that sky blue shirt, black vest, black Stetson and red tie more often.  And if he does, I'll be heading to the windows.