Adam Coglianese/NYRA Photo
With the difference of a sixteenth, the last race at Saratoga falls short
Op/Ed By Eddie C @NotebookPicks
UPDATED 8/10/2025 4:20 PM
On Saturday, 08/09/2025 at Saratoga Racecourse in Saratoga, NY., the 12th and last horse race of the day was listed at 1 1/8th miles on the turf by NYRA (New York Racing Association)
It appears, and has been confirmed, that the race was run at 1 1/16th instead of the appointed and stated distance of 1 1/8th.
No advanced word before, during, or immediately following the race was spoken regarding the change, or mistake in distance.
Approximately 15 minutes after the completion of the race, and the official results were posted, was it confirmed that the race was run at the incorrect distance. Nothing else was publicly announced, nothing. And to dismay of horseplayers and gamblers who bet this race, history tells us that investigations into situations AFTER a race has been deemed official are meaningless. In other words, no refunds of wagers will happen. To those betters and horseplayers, that are the lifeline of the sport, they’re basically telling us to just “Shut up and bet”.
Imagine in an NFL game the opening kickoff happening from the 50-yard line with no explanation.
Imagine in the NBA, the rims were lowered from 10ft to 9ft with no explanation given.
Imagine in baseball the pitcher’s mound was moved from 60’6” to 50 feet
And imagine in track & field, a 400-meter race was run at 350 meters with no explanation given.
People in employment, track officials, need to be held accountable
Posted distances and regulated distances (parameters), in every sport dictates how that sport, race, play or game is strategized and executed. And, in today’s day where gambling is globally legal in most every sport and more, IT MATTERS.
In horse racing, typically there is 25-30 minutes between races. During that time, the starting gate is positioned in the vicinity of where the race will start based on the published and stated distance of the next race in programs (PP’s).
This also means, the track stewards (ruling officials), track employees, gate workers, starters, outriders, horse owners, trainers, jockeys, and the general public (*fans and gamblers that are the lifeblood of the sport / industry), are keenly aware of where the start, finish, and distance of the race will be. But, as gamblers and fans, they rely on the trust and transparency of every sport, what they are promoting, offering, exhibiting, is the absolute truth, no bait and switch, for the betterment of some hidden agenda.
I cannot emphasize this more than to simply say, “It is so very difficult for a glaring mistake like this to go unnoticed by so many eyes.” In most, if not all, major racetracks in the world, there is direct communication between the Stewards and those responsible for the position of the starting gate to be correct
From a gambling / handicapping standpoint, it matters, and it matters a lot on how the dynamic of the race will be run and changes the gambling perspective and the outcome of the race. And not just the race in question, but multiple races as you can combine races in your bets like parlays, etc…
If you were to watch the replay of the race in question (race 12 at Saratoga, Saturday 8.9.25) the 10 horse, who finished 3rd, most likely continues his rally and wins if run at the proper 1 1/8th distance. And in his gallop out, it demonstrates this belief. Additionally, the entire race may have been run differently if run at the 1 1/8th distance. It makes you wonder if any of the trainers, jockeys, stewards, or whoever else knew of this change / mistake
The New York Racing Association (NYRA) has to make a public statement, a truthful explanation of how and why it happened, and make a decision for the betterment, transparency of the sport and industry.
The horse racing industry has a black eye, and it’s been growing for 30+ years, faster and worse than the steroid scandal in baseball back in the 90’s. It is losing its regular horseplayers, the ones that breathe life into the sport and keep it alive. Instances like this continue to turn away those that care for and love the sport.
I’m not here to tell you what they should do, to me and many others it is fairly clear and simple. But there are so many factors involved from on track handle, to tossed tickets, to ADW’s, CRW’s, CAW’s, Fixed odds betting, potential loss of jobs and more. It’s a challenging situation, but it is one that should not be dismissed and swept under the rug.
It should be handled upfront, and a proper solution for the betterment of all involved needs to happen. There must be people held accountable and a public statement forthcoming ASAP!!!
There is a solution, if the people at NYRA take this seriously, and really think about doing the right thing for a change. They could finally right a wrong, do something positive for the sport, and for the lifeline of the sport, which are the fans and those that fund it through their gambling dollars.
I hope history changes this time, and they do the right thing, but not expecting it.
UPDATE: Several minutes after this was published we receive the official statement from NYRA regarding this race. Click here to read statement.
