Hi friends!

 

Even multiple layers of goggles didn't help

A unique set of circumstances caused the cancellation of races 5 to 8 at the Downs last night.  It wasn't the track surface.  Despite heavy rains, the jockeys said the surface was holding up well.  The real problem was--the jockeys said they couldn't see.

 

For some reason, the perfect combination of water and the loamy surface produced a sludge that stuck to their goggles when it was kicked into their faces from the horses around them.  And, although they were wearing six layers of goggles, each set became covered with the sludgy mix as quickly as a jockey pulled down the one on top.

 

So the jockeys voted not to ride because it was simply unsafe.  That's their right as members of the Jockeys' Guild.

 

Understandably a lot of you expressed strong feelings--fans, trainers, horse owners.  I was grumbling as much as anyone until I found out the reason for the cancellation and put six CLEAN goggles over my eyes and saw the tunnel vision it gave me.  YOU CAN TRY, TOO!   If you want to see what jockeys see, go to Guest Services during live racing anytime over the next week and put a set of six goggles over your eyes and imagine removing a dirtied set while riding a 1,000-pound animal in semi-darkness and having the next set of goggles get plastered as quickly as you removed the one above it.

 

HOW THE PICK-4 PAYOFF WORKED:  Since only one leg of the pick-4 had been run, there was a payoff for tickets that had the winner in the first leg (race 4) with any horses in the following three legs.  The payoff was $2.30 for each combination. The reason that was so low is because the favourite won the race and, also, there had been a scratch in the first leg so tickets with the scratched horse wound up with the favourite as well.

 

The reason the pick-4 was paid in this manner--and wasn't simply refunded--had to do with the rules put into effect 10 years ago by the federal Canadian Pari-Mutuel Association in consultation with race-players and others in the industry.  My personal view is all pick-4 bets should be refunded unless at least three legs have been run.  You may feel the same.  But that's a discussion for another time.

 

PICK-4 CARRYOVER STILL IN EFFECT:   The good thing, though, is that the pick-4 carryover of $1,566 is still in effect for tomorrow (Friday's) live card.  And the $500 jackpot remains in place for the $50 Challenge.  And, if you play freeroll poker after the races, you'll win $150 if you're the first player to make a hand consisting of four deuces ("deuces never loses").

 

By the way, this is the first time in the 52-year history of Assiniboia Downs that such a unique combination of elements necessitated race cancellations.  Hopefully, it continues to be a rarity.

 

See you tomorrow.  Or even today!  Del Mar has a pick-6 carryover of $96,000!  Post time is 4 p.m.  --  Ivan