Weekly Rulings: Feb. 21-27

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.

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

Golden Gate Fields
Assael Espinoza – violation date February 24; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 7 strikes
Leonel Camacho Flores – violation date February 24; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 9 strikes

Gulfstream Park
Edgar Alexander Perez – violation date February 23; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 8 strikes

Laurel Park
Jean A Briceno – violation date February 12; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 7 strikes
Oaklawn Park
David Cabrera – violation date February 24; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 8 strikes, on appeal and stay granted
Hannah Leahey – violation date February 25; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 7 strikes
Tyler Cameron Baze – violation date February 25; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 7 strikes
Ramsey Zimmerman – violation date February 26; $500 fine and three-day suspension, 13 strikes, on appeal and stay granted
Penn National
Jerry Villegas-Serrano – violation date February 22; $250 fine and one-day suspension, “misuse of the crop”
Tampa Bay Downs
Carlos Eduardo Rojas – violation date February 25; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 8 strikes, on appeal and stay granted
Carlos Eduardo Rojas – violation date February 26; seven-day suspension, “accumulated points for multiple violations,” on appeal and stay granted
Track Management
The operators of Turf Paradise racetrack have entered into an agreed order with HISA to fix a number of safety-related issues with the facility including problems with the rail and with the equine ambulance.

The track also agrees to enforce certain HISA-related rules, including the void claim rule, and those concerning use of the whip and correct horseshoes.

The Paulick Report has more on these issues.