SARATOGA SPRINGS – Reacting to a series of starting-gate mishaps at this meet – including three in which the stewards declared horses non-starters, forcing the New York Racing Association to refund more than $1.5 million in wagers – NYRA yesterday “retired” head starter Richard Brosseau, 61, who’s been in that job since 2004 and worked on the gate crew for 31 years.

Roy Williamson, an assistant starter since 1985, has been promoted to replace Brosseau.

Also, NYRA’s former starter, Bobby Duncan, who retired in 2004, will expand his role as a consultant for NYRA.

Known as “the horse whisperer,” Duncan works with starting-gate operations around the world and schools horses at the gate from April through October at Saratoga’s Oklahoma training track. Starting immediately, Duncan will re-evaluate NYRA’s gate operation.