Starting Gate Crew

Starting Gate Crew team members are responsible for the maintenance of the Starting Gate, the starting area as well as getting horses [Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses] off safely by performing the following duties:

• School horses during morning training to assist young or inexperienced hoses get familiar with the process of “Gate Training”.  This can involve walking the horse through the open Starting Gate, standing quietly inside the Starting Gate, and practicing a calm exit.

• Handling difficult horses by providing specialized training to assist the horses in overcoming their fear or resistance.

• During morning schooling, the Starting Gate Crew team members will keep detailed notes about each horse’s behavior.  This information is used to help the Starter assign team members to specific horses on race day, ensuring the right temperament and skill set for each horse.

• Once inside the Starting Gate on race days, the team member may stand on a narrow ledge next to the horse to keep it calm, balanced, and facing forward for the start of the race.  Read each horse’s temperament and manage its anxiety.

• Will work together with other team members to ensure all horses and lined up and ready for a simultaneous start.  A team member will yell “no” so the Starter will know they are not ready yet.

• A team member will be responsible for setting the correct post position numbers on the top of the Starting Gate [front and back] for each race and adjusting them if there is a late scratch.

• Rake area where the Starting Gate is located for the races.

• Test and maintain automatic Starting Gate.

• Will abide by all safety requirements as outlined in the Safety Manual or as required by individual departments and/or job functions. 

• Other duties as assigned by management.

• A High School Diploma or GED; College experience preferred.

• At least 1 year of experience in racetrack industry at a management level.

• Excellent verbal, mathematics, interpersonal, communication and writing skills.

• Ability to troubleshoot problems, offer recommendations, decision making, ability to make quick accurate decisions independently.

• Extensive equine knowledge, types of racing and all racing industry requirements.

• Must be at least 21 years of age or older and be able to obtain an Indiana Horse Racing Commission License.

• Maintains a professional work environment with management, team members, and all other individuals encountered during each shift.

• Responsible for being gracious to all guests and team members.

• Responsible for promoting a positive influence in the community and participating in company-sponsored events.

• Enthusiastically supports, actively promotes, and demonstrates superior customer service in accordance with department and company standards and programs.

• Ensures that behavior and appearance are following established standards.

• Responsible for clocking in and out as required for each shift worked.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a team member to successfully perform the essential functions of this job at a Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing facility. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  Also required are frequent standing, walking, stooping, bending, reaching, climbing steps, and sitting. May be required to lift approximately fifty [50] pounds.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a team member encounters while performing the essential functions of this job at a Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing facility.

Horseshoe Indianapolis is a smoking establishment, therefore must be able to work in a smoking environment.  Must be able to work in a highly populated, fast-paced, and noisy environment.  Must be able to work in an environment subject to cold and/or hot temperatures, rain, wind, sun, dust, animals, insects, etc.