Time Only Matters ...
As the author of the StandingStart newsletter, I have been pretty fair in sharing the love in the job postings. Today, I will be selfish - my summer racecourse, Prairie Meadows, is hiring a clocker. I am in search of a qualified horse racing clocker to join our Racing Department team.
There is a racing saw that states ‘time only matters when you are in jail.’ Quite to the contrary racehorse time has a huge significance in horse racing. The Association of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI) Model Rules of Racing lists timer/clocker as one of the sixteen required positions at a race meeting.
ARCI-006-055 Timer/Clocker
B. General Authority (Clocker)
(1) The clocker shall be present during training hours at each track on association grounds, which is open for training, to identify each horse working out and to accurately record the distances and times of each horse's workout.
(2) Each day, the clocker shall prepare a list of workouts that describes the name of each horse which worked along with the distance and time of each horse's workout.
(3) At the conclusion of training hours, the clocker shall deliver a copy of the list of workouts to the stewards and the racing secretary.
Below is an example of a slow day toward the end of the Prairie Meadows’ season last year. The volume of the morning workload varies from track to track, day to day, and is dependent upon the weather. A couple of Saturdays ago, clocker Mike Diliberto and his Fair Grounds crew caught close to 200 workers.
A clocker and their assistants have the vital task of capturing the hectic few hours adeptly and accurately with their stopwatches while communicating with exercise riders, gap attendants, and trainers. These workouts are used to establish fitness and soundness measures for each horse often required prior to entering/starting in a race or being removed from administrative holds such as vets lists or steward lists.
While I am specifically drawing attention to the open position for a clocker at Prairie Meadows, there is a need for at least one clocker at every track. The following is an example of one track’s recent job requisition:
Full Job Description
Under the direction of the Racing Secretary, clock morning horse workouts and record times.
Responsible for keeping records of such workouts by loading information in the computer and sending to equibase for publication
Confirm all horses have proper workouts and are eligible to race
Must have experience with Incompass computer system and be able to utilize all aspects of the system
Working knowledge of Racing Officials duties and ability to substitute if needed
Perform all duties as assigned.
Education and Experience:
Must have the ability to be licensed & approved by the Louisiana Racing Commission
Working knowledge of Racing Officials duties and ability to substitute if needed
Basic thoroughbred knowledge required, racetrack experience preferred
Computer Skills:
Intermediate computer skills
Basic math skills, addition and subtraction
Physical Requirements:
Manual dexterity sufficient to maneuver around horses
Manual dexterity sufficient to hold and work several stop watches simultaneously
Ability to stand, crouch, and climb to perform duties
Visual acuity sufficient for knowing activity in surroundings
Compared to another popular sport, a clocker performs a similar task to those who record the 40 Yard Dashes for the NFL Combine with the exception that they clock a population near a thousand horses every morning instead of the week starting yesterday.
If you think you have the skills to be Prarie Meadows’ racetrack clocker, then please reach out to me as training begins in about seven weeks.
Highlighted Opportunities
Employer: Prairie Meadows
Opportunity: Clocker
Source: Prairie Meadows
Posted: 2023-02-28
Description: Company Job Posting
Employer: Charles Town
2 Opportunities: Groundskeeper or Mutuel Teller
Source: Penn Entertainment
Posted: 2023-02-28
Description: Company Job Posting
Employer: Mahoning Valley
Opportunity: Outriders
Source: Penn Entertainment
Posted: 2023-02-28
Description: Company Job Posting
Employer: Penn National
5 Opportunities: Assistant Starter, Clocker, Lead Mutuel Teller, Racing Gap Attendant, or Racing Valet
Source: Penn Entertainment
Posted: 2023-02-28
Description: Company Job Posting
Employer: NYRA
Opportunity: Senior Auditor
Source: NYRA
Posted: 2022-12-14
Description: Company Job Posting
Employer: NYRA
Opportunity: Sr. Manager, Social Media and Content Strategy
Source: NYRA
Posted: 2022-12-08
Description: Company Job Posting
Employer: Maryland Jockey Club
Opportunity: Van Driver
Source: Maryland Jockey Club
Posted: 2022-11-01
Description: Van Driver needed with CDL license. Must be able to drive tractor Trailer for the MJC shuttle between Pimlico and Laurel on race days. Good salary, benefits, vacation, and sick pay. This is year-round employment in Maryland. Contact: hr@marylandjockeyclub.com
Employer: Maryland Jockey Club
Opportunity: Paddock Blacksmith
Source: Maryland Jockey Club
Posted: 2022-11-01
Description: Paddock Blacksmith – Blacksmith in the paddock on race days. Must be able to put a shoe on a horse in a timely fashion. Good Pay. Year-round employment in Maryland. Contact: hr@marylandjockeyclub.com
Employer: NYRA
Opportunity: Gap Attendant
Source: NYRA
Posted: 2022-10-07
Description: Company Job Posting
Employer: NYRA
Opportunity: Programs / Publications Coordinator
Source: NYRA
Posted: 2022-10-07
Description: Company Job Posting
Employer: NYRA
Opportunity: Track Supervisor
Source: NYRA
Posted: 2022-07-25
Description: Company Job Posting
Opportunities
The Opportunities section is a curated listing of positions harvested from the internet.
Employer: Keeneland
Opportunity: Betologist
Source: Keeneland
Posted: 2023-02-28
Description: Keeneland Job Posting
Employer: Tioga Downs
Opportunity: Mutuel Teller
Source: Indeed
Posted: 2023-02-27
Description: Indeed Job Posting
Employer: AmTote International, Inc.
Opportunity: Senior Application Developer
Source: Indeed
Posted: 2023-02-27
Description: Indeed Job Posting
Employer: SunRay Park and Casino
Opportunity: Racing Security
Source: Glassdoor
Posted: 2023-02-27
Description: Glassdoor Job Posting
Employer: International Sound
Opportunity: Video Operator
Source: Glassdoor
Posted: 2023-02-27
Description: Glassdoor Job Posting
Employer: Romands Racing Stables, Inc.
Opportunity: Thoroughbred Racehorse Groom
Source: Tarta.ai
Posted: 2023-02-26
Description: Tarta Job Posting
Employer: Canterbury Park
Opportunity: Seasonal Admissions
Source: Indeed
Posted: 2023-02-25
Description: Indeed Job Posting
Employer: State of Illinois
Opportunity: Veterinary Technician
Source: Indeed
Posted: 2023-02-25
Description: Indeed Job Posting
Employer: Gulfstream Park
Opportunity: Asst Superintendent, Track
Source: Indeed
Posted: 2023-02-25
Description: Indeed Job Posting
Employer: TVG Network
Opportunity: Horse Racing TV Producer
Source: Tarta.ai
Posted: 2023-02-23
Description: Tarta Job Posting