Chaney Provides an Inside Look Into the Role of a Steward
Tucson, AZ — C. Scott Chaney, a CHRB steward, spoke Wednesday in both the Hirsch Speaker Series and the Advanced Racing Laws and Enforcement class.
In the Hirsch Speaker Series, Scott outlined his path to the stewards’ stand, which began with a job as a hot walker at Santa Anita Park. He balanced law school and worked as a groom before transitioning to a full time position as an assistant trainer for Darrell Vienna. Scott left the backstretch in 2006 after passing the steward’s exam, and he has served on the California circuit ever since. He confessed that the most difficult part of his transition was leaving the horses, and he attributes his selection as a steward to his law background.
Scott took questions from the students and was not afraid to touch on hot-button topics such as the inquiry into Bayern’s win in the 2014 Breeder’s Cup Classic. He also discussed some of the amendments that have been made to California’s claiming rule and how it has evolved over time.
In the Advanced Racing Laws and Enforcement class, Scott talked about the hearing process and the various types of cases that stewards might see. He led the class through judging old races that had incidents or inquiries. His visit gave students a unique and insightful view into everything a steward has to do beyond watching races.