Jockeys’ Guild’s Meyocks Expresses Optimism About Racing Resuming Thursday at Aqueduct

[Wandering Eyes]

Jockeys' Guild President & CEO Terry Meyocks issued a statement Monday saying that NYRA and the Guild had made progress regarding the dispute that led to the jockeys walking out after the first race Sunday at Aqueduct.

“NYRA and the Jockeys' Guild had a lengthy and productive meeting (Monday) to address the issues that led to the cancellation of live racing at Aqueduct Racetrack on Sunday,” Meyocks said in a statement. “This was an unfortunate event that impacted the owners, trainers and bettors who support NYRA throughout the year. Today's meeting was an opportunity to turn the page, and we thank (NYRA Chief Executive Officer & President) David O'Rourke and his management team for their willingness to listen to the concerns of our membership and their commitment to a renewed level of communication with the riders. We look forward to the resumption of racing at Aqueduct on Thursday.”

Thursday marks the next day of scheduled racing at the Big A.

“NYRA was pleased to participate in today's meeting, and we look forward to a strong weekend of racing at Aqueduct,” NYRA spokesman Pat McKenna said in a text.

Citing a number of differences the New York riding colony had had with NYRA management over the last year, the jockeys refused to ride after Sunday's first race. One of the issues was NYRA's decision to ban the riders' wives, girlfriends and children from the jockeys' room. The families were still allowed to congregate in a kitchen area just off the jockeys' quarters.

“I have never seen such disrespect to a jockey colony and the people who work in the jocks' room,” Carmouche told the TDN after Sunday's walkout.

But what apparently was a “final straw” occurred Sunday when NYRA Assistant Clerk of Scales Brian Pochman was asked to go home for the day after he declined to take on additional duties. NYRA had asked him to manually record the weights as a backup plan in the case that a computer system used to do that task malfunctioned, and Pochman balked when told he needed to take on those additional duties. Pochman was not fired.

Carmouche, who is the New York representative for the Guild at this time of year, defended Pochman, said he had been doing a good job and that he believed NYRA had piled so many responsibilities on him that it was hindering his ability to properly do his job.

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