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: Del Mar
Date: 12/02/2022
Licensee: Richard Baltas, trainer
Penalty: One-year suspension, $10,000 fine
Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: Trainer Richard Baltas, is suspended for 365 days from Dec. 9, 2022 to Dec. 8, 2023, and fined the sum of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00)*; pursuant to California Horse Racing Board rule #1887 (Trainer to Insure Condition of Horse) for violations of California Horse Racing Board rules #1902 (Conduct Detrimental to Horse Racing) and #1843.5 (Medication, Drug, and Other Substances Permitted After Entry in a Race)–Oral administrations of “X-Treme Air Boost” and other substances on race day that occurred between Apr. 15, 2022, through May 8, 2022, at Santa Anita Park. (21 counts).
More on the story here.
Track: Del Mar
Date: 11/02/2022
Licensee: John Brocklebank, trainer
Penalty: Reinstatement of license
Violation: N/A
Explainer: Trainer John Brocklebank having appeared before the Board of Stewards, is reinstated, and the Stewards Ruling DMTD #027 dated 08/01/2021 is set aside. Having provided proof that John Brocklebank is under Chapter 13 Bankruptcy protection, the ruling DFTD #33 dated Nov. 25, 2017 is set aside while under this protection. Should John Brocklebank no longer be under the Bankruptcy protection, he shall notify the California Horse Racing Board.
KENTUCKY
Track: Churchill Downs
Date: 12/01/2022
Licensee: Lee Rossi, trainer
Penalty: Forty-five day suspension, $500 fine
Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: Pursuant to the Settlement Agreement and Stipulation in the case of Lee. J. Rossi vs. KHRC. Owner, trainer Lee J. Rossi is hereby fined five hundred dollars and suspended 45 days, 20 days to be served Dec. 11, 2022 through Dec. 30, 2022 (inclusive). The remaining 25 days are stayed on condition no Class A or B medication violation occurs in any racing jurisdiction within 365 days from the date of this agreement. Our Bernadette (Churchill Downs, Nov. 15, 2017) is disqualified and all purse money forfeited.
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. One important note: HISA's whip limit is restricted to six strikes during a race.
Violations of Crop Rule
Aqueduct
- Luis Angel Batista – violation date Dec. 3; $250 fine and once-day suspension, 7 strikes
- John Velazquez – violation date Dec. 3; $4,017 fine and one-day suspension, 7 strikes
Del Mar
- Kyle Frey – violation date Nov. 27; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 7 strikes
- David Charles Lopez – violation date Dec. 3; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 7 strikes
Gulfstream Park
- Ivan Pimentel Jr. – violation date Dec. 1; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 9 strikes
Hawthorne
- Javier Tavares – violation date Dec. 2; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 8 strikes
- Alexander Bendezu – violation date Dec. 2; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 9 strikes
Tampa Bay Downs
- Carlos Eduardo Rojas – violation date Nov. 30; 15-day suspension due to accumulated points
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