US meeting called off after jockeys launch protest following first race

A protest by jockeys during a meeting in the US led to the cancellation of Sunday's fixture at Aqueduct after just one race.

Following the opening race, jockeys expressed concern regarding the duties of the New York Racing Association (NYRA) clerk of scales and assistant clerk of scales. Despite the efforts of NYRA management, the jockeys refused to ride and the remaining eight races were called off.

Andrew Offerman, NYRA senior vice-president of racing and operations, said: "NYRA is responsible for oversight of the clerk of scales, assistant clerk of scales, and all racing officials in accordance with New York State Gaming Commission rules. 

"The procedures employed by those officials are designed to protect the integrity of racing and are NYRA's responsibility to maintain and enforce."

Kendrick Carmouche, a leading rider on the NYRA circuit, told the Daily Racing Form (DRF) that jockeys felt disrespected by the track's management, with the issue coming to a head on Sunday when NYRA officials sent home assistant clerk of scales Brian Pochman. 

Although it was unclear why Pochman was sent home, Carmouche, who is also a Jockeys' Guild representative, said NYRA was requiring him to do more than he was supposed to and that he was uncomfortable with the added responsibilities.

"Now they’re trying to put other people in his spot to make the races go and that’s just going to make things worse because they don’t know what they’re doing,” said Carmouche.  

Offerman later told the DRF that Pochman had not been fired.

Other examples of the simmering tensions between the two parties include the NYRA not granting a valet full-time employment status last December and a decision by management in April no longer to allow the riders' families in the jockeys' room.

The NYRA said it would contact Jockeys' Guild president and chief executive Terry Meyocks in an effort to find a resolution. Racing at Aqueduct is due to resume on Thursday.

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