Weekly Stewards and Commissions Rulings, Apr. 5-11

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: 04/08/2022
Licensee: Ryan Curatolo, jockey
Penalty: $1,000 fine
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: Jockey Ryan Curatolo is fined $1,000.00 for violation of California Horse Racing Board rule #1688(b)(8)(d) (Use of Riding Crop – more than six times – third offense within the past sixty days) during the fourth race at Santa Anita Park on April 3, 2022.

Track: Santa Anita
Date: 04/09/2022
Licensee: Wayne Barnett, jockey
Penalty: Three-day suspension
Violation: Careless riding
Explainer: Jockey Wayne Barnett who rode Wicked Blue in the sixth race at Santa Anita Park on April 3, 2022, is suspended for 3 racing days (April 15, 16, and 17, 2022) for failure to maintain a straight course in the back stretch and causing interference. 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.

Track: Santa Anita
Date: 04/10/2022
Licensee: Drayden Van Dyke, jockey
Penalty: $1,000 fine
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: Jockey Drayden Van Dyke is fined $1,000.00 for violation of California Horse Racing Board rule #1688(b)(8)(d) (Use of Riding Crop–more than six times–third offense within the past sixty days) during the sixth race at Santa Anita Park on April 9, 2022.

Track: Santa Anita
Date: 04/09/2022
Licensee: Brice Blanc, jockey
Penalty: $750 fine
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: Official Ruling of the Board of Stewards Santa Anita Park Winter/ Spring Meet (Association) April 10, 2022 (Date) LATS Ruling #88 Jockey Brice Blanc is fined $750.00 for violation of California Horse Racing Board rule #1688(b)(8)(d) (Use of Riding Crop–more than six times–second offense within the past sixty days) during the eighth race at Santa Anita Park on April 9, 2022. *Rule #1532. Fine shall be paid to the Paymaster within seven calendar days from the date of this ruling, or the license of the person upon whom the fine has been imposed shall be suspended.

Track: Santa Anita
Date: 04/09/2022
Licensee: Emily Ellingwood, jockey
Penalty: Three-day suspension
Violation: Careless riding
Explainer: Official Ruling of the Board of Stewards Santa Anita Park Winter/ Spring Meet (Association) April 10, 2022 (Date) LATS Ruling #89 Apprentice Jockey Emily Ellingwood, who rode Dutch Bus in the eighth race at Santa Anita Park on April 9, 2022, is suspended for 3 racing days (April 17, 30 and May 1, 2022) for failure to make the proper effort to maintain a straight course in the stretch, causing interference which resulted in the disqualification of her mount from first to second 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

Florida

The following was reported on the Association for Racing Commissioners International's recent rulings website.

Track: Gulfstream Park
Date: 03/23/2022
Licensee: James Toner, trainer
Penalty: $1,000 fine and purse money redistribution
Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: Stipulation and Consent Order # 2022-007341 – F.S. 550.2415 Violation = Methocarbamol. Respondent fined $1000, made payable to the board of relief fund established at Gulfstream Park Thoroughbred After Racing Program, Inc. In addition, the Owners agree that they shall return all money that was distributed from the purse to Gulfstream Park Racing Association, Inc.

New York

Track: Aqueduct
Date: 04/07/2022
Licensee: Heman Harkie, jockey
Penalty: Three-day penalty
Violation: Careless riding
Explainer: For having waived his right to appeal Jockey Mr. Heman Harkie is hereby suspended 3 NYRA racing days April 8th 2022, April 9th 2022, April 10th 2022 inclusive. This for careless riding during the running of the 1st race at Aqueduct Racetrack on April 3rd 2022.