Thoroughbred Racing Fan Association, Inc.
Thoroughbred Racing Fan Association, Inc.
STEWARD TRANSPARENCY WOULD HELP RACING
5/28/2025
It is a problem with racing that I have to address this issue again. Last week we wrote about the Alvarado crop violation that became public a few days after the Derby. In the Preakness Stakes (GI) I had questions about the Inquiry involving Journalism that was adjudicated within minutes. Without questioning the Steward's decision the incident involved 3 horses including the winner. Yet the Stewards failed to explain their ruling and the thinking behind it to the racing fan. Sure the incident didn't affect Journalism's win. But what about the other two horses. Some have argued he locked "like bull pushing his way through a closed hole". If that bumping affected those horses did the Stewards rule they would not have finished better if not for the incident. Watching the replay suggests that Journalism was pointed for the hole that closed before he got there. "Bullying through" could have been a rough race riding violation. Or not. If the Stewards made their decision public for all the fans to see that question would not have been raised. ThoroFan has long argued that Stewards decisions should be made public on all video screens immediately after made. We all may disagree with the decision. Knowing how and why the decision came about can only benefit the public and racing fans. If HISA and others want to improve the integrity of our sport such a public announcement must become routine. It's not rocket science.