Twelve jockeys ejected from Hoosier
Park
Racing was canceled at Hoosier Park in Anderson, Indiana,
Friday night after most of the jockeys refused to ride their
scheduled mounts. The horses were led to the paddock prior to the
1ST race but the riders refused to leave the jockeys’ quarters.
Hoosier Park President Rick Moore was informed by the jockeys
shortly after 6 p.m. (EST) that they refused to ride because of
concerns over the track’s inner rail. The rail had been approved
by the Indiana Horse Racing Commission (IHRC), as required by
state law, and IHRC Executive Director Joe Gorajec told Hoosier’s
management that the rail met all specifications. He also informed
them that the IHRC had not previously received complaints from
the riders or horsemen at the track about the rail.
Hoosier’s management proceeded to suspend live racing until
enough jockeys could be found to continue the meet and Chief
Steward Gary Wilfert informed the riders in the jockeys’ quarters
of the decision.
Moore asked the riders to leave the racetrack because it was
closed for business, but 10 refused. He issued ejection notices
to them, but they still refused to leave the jockeys’ quarters,
prompting Moore to contact the Chesterfield Police Department,
who escorted the riders off the track around midnight.
The jockeys escorted off the track were Keith Austin, Cesar
“Rocky” Camaque, Jose Camejo, Roimes Chirinos, Jose H.
Delgado, Jose J. Delgado, Inosencio Diego, Martin Escobar,
Godofredo Laurente and Rodney Prescott. Ejection notices were
also issued to John Byrne, who left without a police escort, and
Sidney LeJeune Jr., who left the track earlier in the evening.
The police also escorted Albert Fiss, vice president of the
Jockeys’ Guild, off the property. Fiss and Darrell Haire,
regional representative of the Guild, were in the jockeys’
quarters prior to scheduled start of Friday’s racing. Haire left
without a police escort.
“We believe the presence of Albert Fiss and Darrell Haire
in our jockeys’ quarters this evening points to the real reason
that jockeys elected not to ride,” Moore said. “The
Guild has publicly supported the actions of the Kentucky-based
jockeys who refused to accept mounts earlier this week at
Churchill Downs. Based on Friday’s events, we have reason to
believe that jockeys were encouraged by Guild representatives and
refused to ride at the direction of the Guild.”
This latest dispute comes after a group of jockeys refused to
commit to ride this week at Churchill Downs due to concerns over
insurance coverage. Steve Sexton, president of Churchill Downs,
and the riders met last Sunday evening to discuss the problem,
but no consensus was reached.
Those jockeys were banned from the track, but were later told
that they could ride at Calder, Hoosier, Fair Grounds and
Hollywood Park as long as they didn’t disrupt business. All the
above tracks are owned and operated by Churchill Downs Inc.