Weekly Rulings: Mar. 15 – 21

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: 03/17/2022
Licensee: Flavien Prat, jockey
Penalty: $500 fine
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: Jockey Flavien Prat is fined $500.00 for violation of California Horse Racing Board rule #1688(b)(8)(d) (Use of Riding Crop–more than six times) during the sixth race at Santa Anita Park on Mar. 13, 2022.

Track: Santa Anita
Date: Two steward hearings on 03/18/2022 and 03/19/2022
Licensee: Richard Baltas, trainer
Penalty: $1,000 fine and assessed 1/2 point.
Also, disqualification and purse redistribution
Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: Trainer Richard Baltas, who worked the horse Lookin at Sweetie for removal from the Veterinarian's List on Jan. 3, 2022, at Santa Anita Park, is fined $1,000 and assessed one half (1/2) point in accordance with California Horse Racing Board Rule #1843.4 (Multiple Medication Violations, expires Mar. 18, 2023) pursuant to California Horse Racing Board Rules #1887 (Trainer or Owner to Insure Condition of Horse) for violation of California Horse Racing Board Rule #1866(h) (Veterinarian's List), #1843(a)(b)(d) (Medication, Drugs and Other Substances) and Rule #1843.1 (Prohibited Drug Substances–Methocarbamol [Class 4] – second offense in the last 365 days).
Pursuant to a formal hearing held Mar. 18, 2022, it is hereby ordered that Lookin at Sweetie, who finished first in the third race at Santa Anita on Jan. 21, 2022, be disqualified and deemed unplaced in accordance with CHRB rule #1592 (Ineligible Horse to be Disqualified). It is further ordered that the purse money awarded to owners George and Martha Schwary and earned by trainer Richard Baltas ($1,440.00) and Apprentice Jockey Diego Herrera ($1,280.00) be distributed in accordance with the revised order of finish, by the Paymaster of Purses at Santa Anita Park.

Revised order of finish is as follows:
1st–Cayton Kid
2nd–Elana My Princess
3rd–Life in Paradise
4th–Mongolian Dream
5th–Cat Lady Blues

Track: Santa Anita
Date: 03/20/2022
Licensee: Juan Hernandez, jockey
Penalty: $500
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: Jockey Juan Hernandez is fined $500.00 for violation of California Horse Racing Board rule #1688(b)(8)(d) (Use of Riding Crop–more than six times) during the first race at Santa Anita Park on Mar. 19, 2022.