Weekly Rulings: Mar. 22-28, 2022

Every week, the TDN publishes a roundup of key official rulings from the primary tracks within the four major racing jurisdictions of California, New York, Florida and Kentucky.

Here's a primer on how each of these jurisdictions adjudicates different offenses, what they make public (or not) and where.

California
Track: Santa Anita
Date: 03/23/2022
Licensee: Liparit Gharibyan, owner
Penalty: Reinstatement of good standing
Violation: N/A
Explainer: Owner Liparit Gharibyan, having complied with the provisions of California Horse Racing Board rule #1876 (Financial Responsibility–$146.13 to So. Cal. Equine Foundation) is restored to good standing. LATS #21 ruling issued at Santa Anita Park on January 15, 2021, is set aside.

Track: Santa Anita
Date: 03/24/2022
Licensee: Umberto Rispoli, jockey
Penalty: Four-day suspension
Violation: Failed appeal to overturn prior careless riding ruling
Explainer: Official Ruling of the Board of Stewards Santa Anita Park Winter/ Spring Meet (Association) March 24, 2022 (Date) LATS Ruling #76 Having received notice of a Proposed Decision adopted by the California Horse Racing Board that the appeal of DMTD Ruling #45 (August 12, 2021) has been overruled, the original ruling is reinstated. Jockey Umberto Rispoli, is suspended for 4 racing days (April 1, 2, 3 and 8, 2022).

Track: Santa Anita
Date: 03/24/2022
Licensee: Ron McAnally, trainer
Penalty: Thirty-day suspension (all 30 days stayed)
Violation: Substance violation
Explainer: Having received notice of a Proposed Decision adopted by the California Horse Racing Board Trainer Ronald McAnally, who started Roses and Candy in the third race on November 22, 2020, at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, is suspended for thirty (30) days pursuant to California Horse Racing Board Rule #1887(Trainer or Owner to Insure Condition of Horse) for violation of California Horse Racing Board rules #1843(a)(b)(d) (Medication, Drugs and Other Substances) and #1843.1(a)(Prohibited Drug Substances – 7- Carboxy – Cannabidiol). In accordance with the Proposed Decision, all thirty (30) suspension days are stayed and Ronald McAnally is placed on probation for one year from the date of this ruling and may not have any violation of Class I, II or III drug positives. If Ronald McAnally violates the terms of his probation, the 30 days of stayed suspension shall be imposed following a noticed  hearing. (Read more about the original ruling here and about the regulatory nuances of CBD oil here and here).

New York
Track: Aqueduct
Date: 03/25/2022
Licensee: Eduardo Jones, trainer
Penalty: Seven-day suspension and $500 fine
Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: Having received a report from the NYS Gaming Commission Equine Drug Testing Laboratory of the finding of Phenylbutazone in the post-race blood sample taken from Horse “Pendolino”( #8 ) which finished first (1st) in the 4th race on February 4, 2022, and having waived his right to appeal, Owner/Trainer Mr. Eduardo Jones is suspended for seven calandar days effective March 27, 2022 through April 2, 2022 inclusive, and fined the sum of five hundred ($500.00) dollars. Furthermore, the Stewards order horse “Pendolino” disqualified from any part of the purse and the purse redistributed as follows:

1. (#9) Sweet Mission
2. (#6) Chaysenbryn
3. (#4) Left Leaning Lucy
4. (#1) Kerik
5. (#5) Shanes Pretty Lady
6. (#3) Alpine Queen
7. (#2) A Ring Thing
8. (#7) Mia Bea Star

Ordered that during your period of suspension, you shall not directly or indirectly participate in New York State Pari-mutuel horse racing. You are denied the privileges and use of the grounds of all racetracks, you are forbidden to participate in any share of purses or other payment. Every horse is denied the privilages of the grounds and shall not participate in pari-mutuel racing in New York State, that (a) is owned or trained by you, or by any individuals who serves as your agent or employee during your suspension; or (b) for which you during your suspension are directly or indirectly with training, including any arrangements to care for, train, enter, race, invoice, collect fees or other payments, manage funds, employ or insure workers, provide advise or other information or otherwise assist with any aspect of the training of such horses.