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.
California
Track: Santa Anita
Date: 04/21/2023
Licensee: Flavien Prat, jockey
Penalty: Three-day suspension
Violation: Careless riding
Explainer: Jockey Flavien Prat, who rode Conclude in the seventh race at Santa Anita Park on April 9, 2023, is suspended for 3 racing days (April 29, 30 and May 5, 2023) for altering course without sufficient clearance and causing interference approaching the right turn (Hillside turf course). This constitutes a violation of California Horse Racing Board rule #1699 (Riding Rules – careless riding).
Track: Santa Anita
Date: 04/21/2023
Licensee: Edwin Alvarez, trainer
Penalty: $500 fine
Violation: Out-of-competition medication violation
Explainer: Trainer Edwin Alvarez, who worked the horse “Rock N Rye” for removal from the Veterinarian's List on March 6, 2023, at Santa Anita Park, is fined $500 and assessed one half (1/2) point in accordance with California Horse Racing Board Rule #1843.4(a)( (Multiple Medication Violations), (Expires April 21, 2024) pursuant to California Horse Racing Board Rule #1887 (Trainer or Owner to Insure Condition of Horse) for violation of California Horse Racing Board Rule #1866(h)(I) (Veterinarian's List), #1844(d)(5) (Authorized Medication), #1843(d) (Medication, Drugs and Other Substances) and Rule #1843.1(b) (Prohibited Drug Substances – Methocarbamol [Class 4] – first offense in the last 365 days).
New York
Track: Aqueduct
Date: 04/23/2023
Licensee: Trevor McCarthy, jockey
Penalty: Three-day suspension
Violation: Careless riding
Explainer: For having waived his right to an appeal Jockey Mr. Trevor McCarthy is hereby suspended three NYRA racing days May 7th 2023, May 11th 2023, May 12th 2023 inclusive. This for careless riding during the running of the 6th race at Aqueduct Racetrack on April 21st 2023.
Track: Aqueduct
Date: 04/23/2023
Licensee: Samy Camacho, jockey
Penalty: Three-day suspension
Violation: Careless riding
Explainer: Jockey Mr. Samy Camacho for having waived his right to an appeal is hereby suspended three NYRA racing days May 7th 2023, May 11th 2023, May 12th 2023 inclusive. This for careless riding during the running of the 8th race at Aqueduct Racetrack on April 22nd 2023.
Kentucky
Track: Keeneland
Date: 04/21/2023
Licensee: Flavien Prat, jockey
Penalty: Three-day suspension
Violation: Careless riding
Explainer: After a hearing before the Board of Stewards, Flavien Prat who rode Foreign Relations in the sixth race at Keeneland on April 19, 2023, is hereby suspended three (3) racing days, April 26 through April 28, 2023 (inclusive) for careless riding in the stretch that resulted in the disqualification of his mount.
Track: Keeneland
Date: 04/21/2023
Licensee: Chris Block, trainer
Penalty: Forty five-day suspension (25-days stayed) and $500 fine
Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: Upon receipt of notification from the University of Kentucky Equine Analytical Chemistry Laboratory, the official testing laboratory for the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission and confirmed at Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, sample number R007378 taken from Knockyoursocksoff, who finished second in the eighth race at Keeneland on October 7, 2022, contained Temazepam in urine (Class A). After a formal hearing before the Board of Stewards and after consideration of testimony and evidence presented, Chris Block is hereby suspended 45 days and fined $500. Twenty days are to be served from May 7, 2023, through May 26, 2023 (inclusive). The remaining 25 days are stayed on the condition that no Class A or Class B medication violations occur in any racing jurisdiction within 365 days from the date of this ruling.
Track: Keeneland
Date: 04/21/2023
Licensee: James Graham, jockey
Penalty: Three-day suspension
Violation: Careless riding
Explainer: After a hearing before the Board of Stewards, James Graham who rode Rush Center in the second race at Keeneland on April 21, 2023, is hereby suspended three (3) racing days, April 29, May 2 and May 3, 2023 for careless riding in the stretch that resulted in the disqualification of his mount.
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
Horseshoe Indianapolis
Fernando De La Cruz – violation date April 19; $100 fine, “raising his wrist above his helmet”
Santa Anita
Harvey Barrington – violation date April 21; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 9 strikes
Tampa Bay Downs
Jose Batista – violation date April 22; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 8 strikes
Shoeing Violation
Aqueduct
Rafael Romero – violation date April 20; $500 fine, “Improperly shod”
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