Why is Belmont being so difficult?

[bdw0617]

http://espn.go.com/horse-racing/triplec ... -crown-bid

Trainer Art Sherman says California Chrome might not pursue a Triple Crown bid in the Belmont Stakes if New York officials won't allow the colt to wear a nasal strip.

What the hell man? I love horse racing but at times I really hate horse racing for being so iditoic. They can't get out of their own way.

IF they went through with this I would strip Belmont of their Triple Crown Status and give it to Santa Anita or something.

[jagger]

They did this last year or the year before too.

[pfrsue]

From what I've read, no one's even asked the officials about it yet. It's not an issue unless the stewards are asked and decide not to allow it.

"...According to a statement issued via the NYSGC's Twitter account, "Neither NYSGC nor NYRA Stewards have (yet) received request to use nasal strips in (the) Belmont Stakes." ~Bloodhorse.com

[TJ]

From what I've read, no one's even asked the officials about it yet. It's not an issue unless the stewards are asked and decide not to allow it.

"...According to a statement issued via the NYSGC's Twitter account, "Neither NYSGC nor NYRA Stewards have (yet) received request to use nasal strips in (the) Belmont Stakes." ~Bloodhorse.com

Hi Sue,
You are correct, no one has posed the question to the NY Stewards yet. The last time the question was asked, they turned down Doug O'Neill, when he asked to use the nasal strip on I'll Have Another. A common practice in California and no viable reason for NY not to allow it. If you read Doc Hill's (the JC Steward, below) reasons for not allowing them....it's as idiotic as the ban on nasal strips to begin with. I do hope these owner's press NY to do the right thing in this situation. Regardless of whether it makes a major difference or not...you just don't feel right changing anything after 6 consecutive wins using a nasal strip. TJ
http://www.drf.com/news/belmont-stakes- ... ont-stakes

[Patuxet]

Since this has been a point of contention since I'll Have Another was to run in the Belmont what's been done in the intervening two years to get it resolved? Any suits brought or other challenges to the ruling? The stewards' reasoning certainly strikes me as weak but has opposition been dysfunctional? Not that dysfunction is anything novel in the sport these days.

[Des]

If it's the rule then he must abide by them. No one is allowed to run in NY with the strips. If he wants to scratch his horse because of this... I bet Art knew the rules all along. Would he have done the same thing if he was shipping a claimer to run in NY, I bet no... Success may be getting to his head a bit...

[Joltman]

Tongue ties are a mechanical means of helping the horse run better. Do they ban those too?

jm

[Georgerz]

The Stewards have approved the use of the nasal strip by CC, that makes this discussion moot.