Weekly Stewards And Commissions Rulings, May 2-8

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, 2022, the TDN will also post a roundup of the relevant HISA-related rulings from the same week.

California
Track: Santa Anita
Date: 05/05/2023
Licensee: Jens Frederick Larsen, owner
Penalty: Suspended license
Violation: Failure to appear for hearing
Explainer: Owner Jens Frederick Larsen, having failed to respond to written notice to appear before the Board of Stewards at Santa Anita Park on or before May 4, 2023, is suspended for violation of California Horse Racing Board rule #1547 (Failure to Appear), pending an appearance at a hearing before the Board of Stewards to answer to charges alleging violation of CHRB rule #1876 (Financial Responsibility – $899.11 DVM Melinda Blue).  Suspension to commence May 12, 2023.

Track: Santa Anita
Date: 05/07/2023
Licensee: Armando Aguilar, apprentice jockey
Penalty: Four-day suspension
Violation: Careless riding
Explainer: Apprentice Jockey Armando Aguilar, who rode Mr. Disrespectful in the fourth race at Santa Anita Park on May 6, 2023, is suspended for 4 racing days (May 14, 19. 20 and 21, 2023) for failure to make the proper effort to maintain a straight course in the backstretch causing interference. This constitutes a violation of California Horse Racing Board rule #1699 (Riding Rules – careless riding), second offense in last sixty days.

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
Belmont Park
Laird Bailey – violation date May 4; $500 fine and three-day suspension, 13 strikes

Fanduel Sportsbook and Horse Racing
Javier Diego – violation date May 6; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 9 strikes

Oaklawn Park
Cindy Sue Murphy – violation date May 4; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 9 strikes
Travis E Wales – violation date May 5; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 7 strikes
Keith James Asmussen – violation date May 5; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 9 strikes

Santa Anita
Antonio Fresu – violation date May; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 7 strikes
Raul Mena – violation date May 3; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 7 strikes

Tampa Bay Downs
Jeremy Alicea Salgado – violation date May 3; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 7 strikes
ronald dale allen – violation date May 3; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 7 strikes
Julio C. Mera – violation date May 6; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 9 strikes
Geovany Garcia – violation date May 6; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 7 strikes
Richard Mitchell – violation date May 6; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 7 strikes

Turf Paradise
Harry Hernandez – violation date May 5; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 7 strikes