Colt Drops Dead w/Gary Stevens on board.

[Shammy Davis]

http://www.drf.com/news/retired-jockey- ... g-accident

[wilf]

Gary finds out how tough the game can be even when you are retired,he got off lightly I think and so did Pletcher for using an unlicenced rider.

[dublino]

Gary finds out how tough the game can be even when you are retired,he got off lightly I think and so did Pletcher for using an unlicenced rider.

Thats sad, one of the greatest Jocks you Yanks have ever produced.

[zinn21]

What are the odds of a retired jock, at Saratoga for TV coverage, getting on a horse for a work and the horse drops dead and dumps him??

That's like hitting a golf shot and nailing a cart sign squarely from 150 yards. You could stand at the spot for the next 10 years with a trainload of balls and never hit the cart sign.

The odds were astronomical.

[moetetchandon]

Godspeed Thatcatismine.

Having said that, the rules are there for a purpose. Pletcher and Stevens both know the rules. They both know you have to be licenced to work on the backside. This is not the first horse Stevens has galloped for Pletcher. This is a clear case of thumbing your nose at rules...not just trainer and exercise rider, but anyone else who kept their mouth shut and looked the other way when Stevens rode.

Now, as in the case of Wake At Noon, it is a caught red handed scenario.

Too bad it took two horses dying for the deceptions to be uncovered.

[xfactor fan]

Doesn't Gary Stevens have a trainers license? Or are they specific to one track?

Wilf, given the number of injuries Gary Stevens has had, don't think anyone needs to tell him the game is rough.

[TJ]

Doesn't Gary Stevens have a trainers license? Or are they specific to one track?

Wilf, given the number of injuries Gary Stevens has had, don't think anyone needs to tell him the game is rough.

Hi X,
I believe he has (or had) a trainers license in California. In most cases, if you are licensed in one state as a trainer, you can simply take out a similar license in another state and it would be valid....after paying that states licensing fees. I know California can be very picky and sometimes require you to take a test all over again. Having said that, his trainers license wouldn't permit him to gallop horses for other trainers....he could gallop his own. If you have a valid trainers license in NY and want to freelance gallop you have to get a license to be an exercise rider.....sometimes requiring you to turn in your trainers license. TJ

[horse]

Re: What is the "politically correct" issue here?

What about workmens' comp? Is no one discussing this?

Move this incident to any farm track and the aftermath of the fallout on the license issue would be moot.

[TJ]

Re: What is the "politically correct" issue here?

What about workmens' comp? Is no one discussing this?

Move this incident to any farm track and the aftermath of the fallout on the license issue would be moot.

Precisely right Horse, that's why Stevens had to be licensed as an exercise rider and can only gallop his own horses if licensed as a trainer....luckily Stevens and Pletcher can absorb the medical cost, the track won't be sued and workman's comp won't be getting involved. But....it could be a real problem yet....may even cause Pletcher's insurance company to adjust his workman's comp rates, or possibly lose the insurance for knowingly riding unlicensed help.....but that's where money and clout help. TJ