Weekly Rulings: Mar. 8-14

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: 03/11/2022
Licensee: Donald Palmer, owner
Penalty: Suspended license
Violation: Failure to appear at hearing
Explainer: Owner Donald Palmer (DBA: Live Your Dream Racing), having failed to respond to written notice to appear before the Board of Stewards at Santa Anita Park on March 10, 2022, 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- $2,000.93 to DVM John Araujo). Suspension to commence on March 18, 2022. During the term of this suspension, all licenses and license privileges of Donald Palmer are suspended and pursuit to California Horse Racing Board rule #1528 (Jurisdiction of Stewards), subject is denied access to all premises in this jurisdiction.

Track: Santa Anita
Date: 03/12/2022
Licensee: Kyle Frey, jockey
Penalty: Four-day suspension
Explainer: Jockey Kyle Frey who rode MAGNIFICENT RIDE in the second race at Santa Anita Park on March 11, 2022, is suspended for FOUR (4) racing days (March 19, 20, 25 and 26, 2022) for failure to maintain a straight course in the backstretch and causing interference, which resulted in the disqualification of his mount from second to fifth place. This constitutes a violation of California Horse Racing Board rule #1699 (Riding Rules-Careless Riding). Pursuant to California Horse Racing Board rule #1766 (Designated Races), the term of suspension shall not prohibit participation in designated races.

KENTUCKY

Track: Turfway Park (for a medication violation that occurred at Churchill Downs)
Date: 03/12/2022
Licensee: Grant Forster, trainer
Penalty: 30-day suspension (15-days stayed) and $500 fine
Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: Upon receipt of notification from Industrial Laboratories, the official testing laboratory for the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, and confirmed at Analytical Forensic Testing Laboratory, sample number E491165 taken from Epicurean, who finished sixth in the seventh race at Churchill Downs on November 26, 2021 contained Gabapentin in blood (Class 8). After waiving his right to a formal hearing before the Board of Stewards, Grant T. Forster is hereby suspended 30 days and fined $500. Due to mitigating circumstances (number of violations in relation to overall record), 15 days are to be served from March 28, 2022 through April 11, 2022 (inclusive). The remaining 15 days are stayed on the condition that no Class A or class 8 medication violation occurs in any racing jurisdiction within 365 days from the date of this ruling. EPICUREAN is disqualified and all purse money forfeited. Pari-mutuel wagering is not affected by this ruling. During his suspension, Mr. Forster is denied the privileges of all facilities under the jurisdiction of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission. Entry of all horses owned or trained by Mr. Forster is denied pending transfer to persons acceptable to the stewards. Upon receipt of this ruling, it is required within thirty (30) days to pay any and all fines imposed to the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission. Failure to do so will subject the licensee to summary suspension of license pursuant to 810 KAR 3:020 Section 15 (cc).