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, 2022, the TDN will also post a roundup of the relevant HISA-related rulings from the same week.
New York
Track: Aqueduct
Date: 04/13/2023
Licensee: Dylan Davis, jockey
Penalty: Three-day suspension
Violation: Careless riding
Explainer: Jockey Mr. Dylan Davis is hereby suspended three (3) NYRA racing days. This for careless riding during the running of the 1st race at Aqueduct racetrack on April 6th 2023 having appealed a stay has been granted.
Track: Aqueduct
Date: 04/14/2023
Licensee: Jaime Torres, apprentice jockey
Penalty: Fourteen-day suspension
Violation: Careless riding
Explainer: For having waived your right to an appeal Jockey Mr. Jaime Torres is hereby suspended 14 NYRA racing days, April 20th, 21st ,22nd , 23rd , 27th, 28th ,29th ,30th 2023 through May 4th, 5th, 6th , 7th , 11th 12th 2023 inclusive. This for careless riding during the running of the second race at Aqueduct Racetrack on April 8th 2023.
Kentucky
Track: Keeneland
Date: 04/08/2023
Licensee: Aveory Faircloth, owner-trainer
Penalty: Sixty-day suspension, 30-days stayed due to good prior record
Violation: Possession of contraband
Explainer: After waiving his right to a formal hearing before the Board of Stewards Aveory Faircloth is hereby suspended 60 days for possession of contraband (needles, syringes and injectable medications) “by a person other than a veterinarian licensed to practice veterinary medicine” and discovered on the association grounds of Three Diamonds Training Center, a location under the jurisdiction of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission. Due to mitigating circumstances (lack of violations in relation to length of license history), 30 days are to be served from April 11, 2023, through May 10, 2023 (inclusive). The remaining 30 days are stayed on the condition that no similar violation or Class A or Class B medication violation occurs in any racing jurisdiction within 365 days from the date of this ruling. During his suspension Mr. Faircloth is denied the privileges of all facilities under the jurisdiction of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission. Entry of all horses owned or trained by Aveory Faircloth is denied pending transfer to persons acceptable to the stewards.
Track: Keeneland
Date: 04/12/2023
Licensee: Barbara Riley, owner-trainer
Penalty: $500 fine, horse disqualified, purse forfeited
Violation: Medication violation (for horse that ran at Turfway Park)
Explainer: Upon receipt of notification from The University of Kentucky Equine Analytical Chemistry Laboratory, the official testing laboratory for the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, sample number R008025 taken from Future Victory, who finished second in the first race at Turfway Park on April 1, 2023 contained methocarbamol at a level of 7.98 ng/ml in blood (Class C drug). After waiving her right to a formal hearing before the Board of Stewards, Barbara J. Riley is hereby fined $500. Future Victory is disqualified and all purse money forfeited. Pari-mutuel wagering is not affected by this ruling. Upon receipt of this ruling, the licensee 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 a summary suspension of license pursuant to 810 KAR 3:020 Section 15 (cc).
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
Gulfstream Park
Madeline Jane Rowland – violation date April 7; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 8 strikes
Miguel Angel Vasquez – violation date April 8; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 7 strikes
Edwin Gonzalez – violation date April 8; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 7 strikes
Keeneland
Tyler Gaffalione – violation date April 8; $1697.25 fine and one-day suspension, 7 strikes
Jose Luis Ortiz – violation date April 8; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 7 strikes
Grace Louise Mcentee – violation date April 12; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 7 strikes
Junior Rafael Alvarado – violation date April 12; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 7 strikes
Oaklawn Park
Ramon Vazquez-Negron – violation date April 2; $250 fine, “striking his mount three times in a row without a pause”
Keith James Asmussen – violation date April 7; $250 fine, “raising wrist above helmet when using crop”
Tampa Bay Downs
Jose Luis Alonso – violation date April 8; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 9 strikes
Turf Paradise
Luis Valenzuela – violation date April 4; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 7 strikes
Will Rogers Downs
Lindsey Kate Hebert – violation date April 12; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 7 strikes
Chad A Lindsay – violation date April 12; $500 fine and three-day suspension, “struck mount after obtaining maximum placing,” on appeal and stay requested
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