Jockeys Refuse to Race at Philly Park
By MARYCLAIRE DALE, AP
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Jockeys refused to ride Monday at Philadelphia Park in a dispute over payment delays the track blamed on the state's stricter rules for drug testing of horses.
The test results used to take no more than three days, but now take up to eight, holding up payouts that range from $40 for a losing mount to $40,000 to the winner of the annual Pennsylvania Derby, a track official said.
"The riders think they should be getting paid before the results are back," said Hal Handle, chief executive officer of Philadelphia Park.
According to Handle, the cancellation of Monday's 10-race card cost the park its approximately $70,000 take on $350,000 in expected bets and an estimated $50,000 in loss simulcast payments.
About 25 jockeys race at the park on a typical day, officials said.
The president of the 1,130-member Jockeys Guild called the delays illegal.
"You cannot hold up the payments of a worker or an employee over a dispute that is irrelevant to them," Wayne Gertmenian said.
Track officials contend the jockeys are not track employees.
"We actually act as a payroll service ... so what they're asking us to do is to front that money," said Joe Wilson, the track's vice president of operations.
By MARYCLAIRE DALE, AP
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Jockeys refused to ride Monday at Philadelphia Park in a dispute over payment delays the track blamed on the state's stricter rules for drug testing of horses.
The test results used to take no more than three days, but now take up to eight, holding up payouts that range from $40 for a losing mount to $40,000 to the winner of the annual Pennsylvania Derby, a track official said.
"The riders think they should be getting paid before the results are back," said Hal Handle, chief executive officer of Philadelphia Park.
According to Handle, the cancellation of Monday's 10-race card cost the park its approximately $70,000 take on $350,000 in expected bets and an estimated $50,000 in loss simulcast payments.
About 25 jockeys race at the park on a typical day, officials said.
The president of the 1,130-member Jockeys Guild called the delays illegal.
"You cannot hold up the payments of a worker or an employee over a dispute that is irrelevant to them," Wayne Gertmenian said.
Track officials contend the jockeys are not track employees.
"We actually act as a payroll service ... so what they're asking us to do is to front that money," said Joe Wilson, the track's vice president of operations.
