Saratoga 9 No DQ

[billk5300s]

How did they not DQ Stars and Strides?  Clear interference with #5.

[shanahan]

# 5 was losing momentum just into the stretch and had no chance to be ITM.  Just my opinion.  9 was full of himself today.  Never understood what the 2 inguiry was about, JV was all smiles, but at 25:1, nice payday for those of you that had him.
Nice P5 w/ 2 singles...

[Molesap]

Shanahan pretty much summed it up perfectly (at least according to the stewards) - From the NYRA Saratoga site:

Stewards\' Decision for Race 9 on 8/7/2025
In the 9th race at Saratoga on 08/07/2025 there was a Stewards Inquiry into the winner #9 Stars and Strides, ridden by Junior Alvarado and #5 Insubordination (IRE), placed ninth, ridden by Javier Castellano. There was also a Trainer’s objection from #2 Griffin’s Wharf, placed second, ridden by John Velazquez, onto the winner #9 Stars and Strides.

After viewing the replay and questioning riders involved, the Stewards determined that the improving Stars and Strides drifted left into the path of a weakening #5 Insubordination (IRE), causing the rider to have to take a check on the rail, but the stewards did not feel this incident cost #5 Insubordination (IRE) an opportunity of a better placing.

After reviewing the Trainers objection, the Stewards determined that #9 Stars and Strides had an established running path, when Griffin’s Wharf continued to improve past horses, causing the rider to have to switch right around Stars and Strides to continue its run to the wire. Regarding both instances, the placings remained unaltered.

[billk5300s]

It looked to me like he pulled up pretty hard on Insubordination.  I’ve seen dq’s for much less.  In NY, rubbing is racing, in Kentucky or Florida, not so much.  Thanks for the responses!