Clocker/Placing Judge

Title: Clocker/Placing Judge

Employee Status: Regular Full Time

Work From Home Option: Not Applicable

FLSA Status: Exempt

Job Overview:

This position is vital to racing department operations as it encompasses responsibilities with both daily training and racing functions. The preferred candidate will be able to work as a clocker in the morning while serving as a placing judge in the afternoon.

Essential Functions:

• Communicate information given by trainers or gap attendants to accurately record workout times as required by New York State Gaming Commission rules
• Follow NYRA standard operating procedures for timing of racehorses
• Maintains a list of unresolved workouts for horses that are not identified or properly reported to clockers
• Verify workouts against the official workout report, including trainer information
• Note track condition, weather, and any factors that may impact training
• Log all workout data in accordance to NYSGC and NYRA rules and regulations in Equibase for official publishing
• Relay concerns and unresolved or unauthorized workouts to the stewards
• Become familiar with the tab writing process to fill in for regular tab writer
• Follow NYRA standard operating procedures for the placing of horses during the races
• Utilize photo finish technology to report the correct order of finish and communicate with stewards and the general public using placing software
• Ensure that starting gate and turf rail settings are correct as printed in the track program
• Communicate any concerns seen with stewards

Qualifications:

• 3-5 years working at the racetrack in the training of horses, as a gap attendant, or racing official
• Ability to get licensed as required by the New York State Gaming Commission
• High school diploma or equivalent
Preferred Skills:

• Knowledge of racing surfaces, gaps, poles, and racing jargon
• Ability to multitask and follow horses during training activities
• Ability to identify saddle towels, markings, and colors of horses to determine the correct horses are being timed
• Communicate with trainers, other clockers, gap attendants, and other personnel to communicate any concerns that occur on the racetrack
• Ability to communicate any high risk situations are could arise during the training of racehorses
• Using identifying markers of silks, caps, or horse colors to identify order of finish
• Communicating information regarding order of finish, fouls, or inquiries, with stewards or other racing officials via phone

Skills Proficiency:

• Ability to use a stopwatch and record times and trainers of horses that worked accurately
• Multitasking and organization
• Communicate using various media (phone, text, radio, computer)
• Using sound judgement at all times

Summary of Physical Requirements and Work Environment:

This position requires standing, walking, and remaining outdoors for extended periods in varying weather conditions while observing training and racing activities. The role requires visual acuity to identify horses, silks, saddle towels, and race positions, as well as manual dexterity to operate stopwatches, computers, radios, telephones, and photo finish equipment. Availability to work early mornings, evenings, weekends, holidays, and other schedules associated with live racing and training operations is required.

Pay Range / Salary:  $66,300-$82,000