Weekly Rulings, Dec. 12-18

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.

With the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) having gone into effect on July 1, the TDN will also post a roundup of the relevant HISA-related rulings from the same week, while we wait to see what the new year will bring regarding the legislation.

California
Track: Los Alamitos
Date: 12/16/2022
Licensee: Jose De La Torre, jockey
Penalty: Three-day suspension, $500 fine
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: Having violated the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority Rule #2280 (Use of Riding Crop) and pursuant to Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority Rule #2282 (Riding Crop Violations and Penalties – Class 2), Jockey Jose De La Torre who rode Papa Primitivo in the sixth race at Los Alamitos Race Course on December 11, 2022, is suspended for three (3) days (December 26, 30 and 31, 2022), and fined $500.00 for six (6) strikes over the limit. (Class 2 violation). Furthermore, Jockey Jose De La Torre is assigned five (5) violation points that will be expunged on September 16, 2023, nine (9) months from the date of final adjudication pursuant to Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority Rule #2282 (Riding Crop Violations and Penalties). Jockey Jose De La Torre now has five (5) points pursuant to HISA Rule #2283 (Multiple Violations)

Track: Los Alamitos
Date: 12/16/2022
Licensee: Steve Knapp, trainer
Penalty: $500 fine
Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: Trainer Steve Knapp, who started the horse Square Deal, finishing fourth in the second race at Del Mar Racetrack on September 10, 2022, is fined $500.00 and assessed one half (1/2) point in accordance with California Horse Racing Board rule #1843.4 (Multiple Medication Violations – Expires 12/16/23) pursuant to rule #1887 (Trainer or Owner to Insure Condition of Horse) for violation of California Horse Racing Board Rules #1840 (Veterinary Practices and Treatment Restricted), #1843(a)(b)(d) (Medication, Drugs and Other Substances), Rule #1844(d)(5) (Authorized Medication) and Rule #1843.1 (Prohibited Drug Substances – Methocarbamol [Class 4]).

Track: Los Alamitos
Date: 12/17/2022
Licensee: Armand Aguilar, jockey
Penalty: One-day suspension, $250 fine
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: Having violated the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority Rule #2280 (Use of Riding Crop) and pursuant to Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority Rule #2282 (Riding Crop Violations and Penalties – Class 3), Apprentice Jockey Armand Aguilar, who rode Big Frank Da Tank in the fourth race at Los Alamitos Race Course on December 16, 2022, is suspended for one (1) day (December 26, 2022), and fined $250.00 for two (2) strikes over the limit. Furthermore, Apprentice Jockey Armand Aguilar is assigned three (3) violation points that will be expunged on June 17, 2023, six (6) months from the date of final adjudication pursuant to Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority Rule #2282 (Riding Crop Violations and Penalties – second offense since November 6, 2022. Apprentice Jockey Armand Aguilar has accrued a total of six (6) points.

NEW HISA STEWARDS RULINGS

The following rulings were reported on HISA's “rulings” portal, except for the voided claim rulings which were sent to the TDN directly. Some of these rulings are from prior weeks as they were not reported contemporaneously.

One important note: HISA's whip use limit is restricted to six strikes during a race.

Violations of Crop Rule

Gulfstream Park
Jose Luis Alonso – violation date December 15; $250 fine and one-day suspension, “struck his mount (Double Cosmo Girl) more than 2 times in a row, which is over the limit”

Oaklawn Park
Rafael Bejarano – violation date December 16; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 7 strikes
Orlando Mojica – violation date December 16; $250 fine and one-day suspension, “raised his wrist above his helmet when using the crop in the fourth race at Oaklawn on December 16, 2022”
Ricardo Santana – violation date December 16; $250 fine and one-day suspension, “raised his wrist above his helmet when using the crop in the sixth race at Oaklawn on December 16, 2022”
Angel Rodriguez – violation date December 16; $250 fine and one-day suspension, “raised his wrist above his helmet when using the crop in the fifth race at Oaklawn on December 16, 2022”
Tyler Baze – violation date December 16; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 7 strikes
Isaac Castillo – violation date December 16; $250 fine and one-day suspension, “raised his wrist above his helmet when using the crop in the eighth race at Oaklawn on December 17, 2022”

Remington Park
Isaac Castillo – violation date December 15; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 9 strikes

Tampa Bay Downs
Pablo Santiago Morales – violation date December 14; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 7 strikes
Samy Camacho – violation date December 14; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 8 strikes
Kevin Mendez Cruz – violation date December 16; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 7 strikes

Penn National
Leonardo Corujo Alvarez – violation date December 13; $250 fine and one-day suspension, “failing to use the crop in an appropriate and proportionate manner”
Julio A. Hernández – violation date December 13; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 9 strikes

Zia Park
Alfredo Juarez Jr. – violation date December 12; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 7 strikes
Juan Villanueva – violation date December 13; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 9 strikes
Casey Rey Chavez – violation date December 14; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 9 strikes

Voided Claims

Oaklawn Park
Girls A Bullet – ruling date 12/9/2022