Jockeys’ Proposal Called ‘Outrageous’

The prospect of substitute jockeys riding at Santa Anita and other tracks on Jan. 1 grew stronger Tuesday after Brian McGrath, commissioner of the Thoroughbred Racing Assns. tracks, referred to a counterproposal from the Jockeys’ Guild as “outrageous.”

The tracks and the jockeys have been bargaining since August in an effort to sign a new contract covering the riders’ health and accident insurance. Their three-year contract runs out Dec. 31.

“I am chagrined at what the jockeys have given us,” McGrath said Tuesday. “I view the proposal as a rejection of our best and final offer, which we made on Dec. 9. Since August, the jockeys have been saying that they need one-tenth of 1% of the tracks’ handle to raise $9 million-$10 million to pay for their insurance. This proposal is that same demand, in disguise.”

The jockeys’ latest proposal called for the 40 TRA tracks to guarantee one benefit race apiece each year to raise money for the insurance premiums. The guild also offered to finance six other races each year to raise premium money.

Another issue is the jockeys’ waiving what they say are their television rights.

“If there’s enough money to fund the plan, we would consider changing some of the language in this area,” said John Giovanni, national manager of the guild. “But the way it’s worded in the current TRA proposal, it’s a contract that we can’t sign.”

After the tracks had made payments of almost $1.7 million toward the jockeys’ insurance in 1993, there was a shortfall of nearly $800,000, which the guild absorbed. The tracks said that they doubled some of the jockeys’ coverages in their proposal on Dec. 9.

The guild has about 1,300 members. Giovanni said that guild members ride about 90% of the races.

“If there’s no contract, individual decisions will have to be made,” he said. “Our line of communication with the membership has been good, and after they ask themselves the important questions, I’m confident that they will support our efforts by not riding.”