A ? on scratches

[Donnie]

My report shows that in today's WO 5th race, 6 out of the 13 horses entered were scratched out of the 3rd race there on Aug 17th by order of the stewards. My question is.... did something happen this day that made the racing surface unsafe? Why would you see 6 horses from one race scratched because of the stewards?

[nac]

No, the turf course was firm. It's just that the rail was so far out, 50 feet, the stewards decided there was only room for 8 horses. They're saving the inside of the grass for the Atto Mile in a few weeks.

[Donnie]

Thanks NAC...wonder how they decide which horses cannot run? Just draw numbers? Ask for volunteers?