By Dan Ross
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.
California
Track: Los Alamitos
Date: 12/11/2022
Licensee: Francisco Orduna-Rojas, 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), Jockey Francisco Orduna-Rojas, who rode Mr. Clutch in the first race at Los Alamitos Race Course on December 9, 2022, is suspended for one (1) day (December 17, 2022), and fined $250.00 for two (2) strikes over the limit. Furthermore, Jockey Francisco Orduna-Rojas is assigned three (3) violation points that will be expunged on June 22, 2023, six (6) months from the date of final adjudication pursuant to Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority Rule #2282 (Riding Crop Violations and Penalties – third offense since July 3, 2022. Jockey Francisco Orduna-Rojas has accrued a total of nine (9) points. Pursuant to California Horse Racing Board rule #1766 (Designated Races), the term of suspension shall not prohibit participation in designated races.
Track: Los Alamitos
Date: 12/11/2022
Licensee: Steve Knapp, trainer
Penalty: Return of claim amount, $20,000
Violation: Medication violation, voided claim
Explainer: In the matter of the claim submitted for the horse Butkus; Having received first notice of a Prohibited Substance (Phenylbutazone) in the post-race test sample, pursuant to Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Rule 2262 (c)(5) (Void Claim), the claim submitted for the horse Butku, in the second race on October 28, 2022, at Santa Anita Park is hereby deemed void. The horse, Butkus trained by Steve Knapp shall be returned to previous owner Reed Saldana and Reed Saldana shall return the amount of the claim of $20,000 to owner Leslie Blake by December 26, 2022. Furthermore, Trainer Reed Saldana and Trainer Steve Knapp have reached an agreement for the care and training of the horse during the time the horse was in the claimant's barn.
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 limit is restricted to six strikes during a race.
Violations of Crop Rule
Hawthorne
Constantino Roman – violation date December 9; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 7 strikes
Rishawn Blanche – violation date December 4; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 9 strikes
Mahoning Valley
German Terraza – violation date December 9; $250 fine and one-day suspension
Oaklawn Park
Christian Alexis Torres – violation date December 11; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 7 strikes
Remington Park
Benjamin Landeros – violation date December 12; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 8 strikes
Tampa Bay Downs
Eddie Santiago – violation date December 9; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 8 strikes
Miss Mattie Martin – violation date December 9; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 8 strikes
Turfway Park
Thiago Canuto – violation date December 2; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 7 strikes
Zia Park
Alfredo Juarez Jr. – violation date December 12; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 7 strikes
Voided Claims
Gulfstream Park
Literate – ruling date 12/4/2022
Hawthorne
Owen's Pleasure – ruling date 12/9/2022
Parx Racing
Arrivederci – ruling date 12/5/2022
Captain Chazz – ruling date 12/5/2022
Enraged – ruling date 12/7/2022
Tampa Bay Downs
El Pillo – ruling date 12/9/2022
Turfway Park
Decree of Love – ruling date 12/3/2022
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