Racing Resumes at Big A as NYRA Makes Policy Changes

[Wandering Eyes]

On the first day of scheduled racing at Aqueduct after the jockeys walked out Sunday after the first race, things returned to normal Thursday. The eight-race program was run without any interruptions as the dispute between NYRA and the local riding colony seemed to be on its way to being resolved.

According to Kendrick Carmouche, the local representative for the Jockeys' Guild, the riders had several issues with NYRA. A breaking point occurred Sunday when the riders learned that NYRA Assistant Clerk of Scales Brian Pochman was told to go home after he balked at taking on additional duties. NYRA management had asked him to record the weights by hand in case a computer system in place to do the same task malfunctioned.

NYRA announced Thursday that it would be installing cameras that will be focused on the scales.

“As an additional integrity measure, and to modernize operations, NYRA will be installing surveillance cameras to record the weigh-in and weigh-out process for every race at all NYRA facilities,” a NYRA spokesman said in a statement. “We expect to have this system in place by year end.”

In addition, NYRA made changes when it came to the position of assistant clerk of scales.

“Effective today, the duties of the assistant clerk of scales have been reassigned to alternate NYRA racing officials,” the statement continued.

Pochman was not fired after Sunday's incident and a NYRA official confirmed that he was still with the company.

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