Weekly Stewards and Commissions Rulings, Aug. 29 – Sept. 4

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: 09/02/2022
Licensee: Keron Thomas, owner
Penalty: Suspended license
Violation: Failure to appear for hearing
Explainer: Owner Keron Thomas, having failed to respond to written notice to appear before the Board of Stewards at Del Mar Race Track on September 1, 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- $1,252.93 to Southern California Equine Hospital). Suspension to commence on September 9, 2022. During the term of this suspension, all licenses and license privileges of Keron Thomas 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: Del Mar
Date: 09/05/2022
Licensee: Juan Hernandez, jockey
Penalty: Three-day suspension
Violation: Careless riding
Explainer: Jockey Juan Hernandez, who rode Fun to Dream in the tenth race at Del Mar Race Track on Sunday, September 4, 2022, is suspended for 3 racing days (September 16, 17 and 18, 2022) for failure to maintain a straight course out of the starting gate and causing interference which resulted in the disqualification of his mount from second to ninth 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.

Track: Del Mar
Date: 09/05/2022
Licensee: Mario Gutierrez, jockey
Penalty: Three-day suspension
Violation: Careless riding
Explainer: Jockey Mario Gutierrez who rode Awake at Midnyte in the tenth race at Del Mar Race Track on Sunday, September 4, 2022 is suspended for 3 racing days (September 16,17 & 18, 2022) for altering course without sufficient clearance shortly after the start 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.

NEW HISA STEWARDS RULINGS

Note: While HISA has shared these rulings over the past week, some of them originate from prior weeks.

Violations of Crop Rule

Albuquerque Downs
Rigo Sarmiento – ruling date August 31, 2022

Arapahoe
Adrian Ramos – ruling date August 29, 2022
David Martin – ruling date August 30, 2022

Colonial Downs
Angel Arroyo – ruling date August 30, 2022
Matildie Barahona – ruling date August 30, 2022

Delaware Park
John Hiraldo – ruling date September 1, 2022

Del Mar
Juan Lopez – ruling date September 2, 2022
Victor Espinoza – ruling date September 3, 2022

Evangeline Downs
Jose Luis Rodriguez – ruling date August 27, 2022

Finger Lakes
Dean Joseph Frates – ruling date August 29, 2022
Emanuel De Diego – ruling date September 1, 2022
Emanuel De Diego – ruling date September 1, 2022

Golden Gate Fields
Rachel Goodgame – ruling date August 28, 2022

Parx Racing
Abel Mariano Ramos – ruling date August 4, 2022

Presque Isle Downs
Alberto Burgos – ruling date August 30, 2022

Remington Park
Iram Diego – ruling date August 31, 2022
David Cabrera – ruling date August 31, 2022

Saratoga
Junior Alvardo – ruling date August 27, 2022
Dylan Scott Davis – ruling date August 28, 2022
Talbert Howell – ruling date September 1, 2022
Kendrick Carmouche – ruling date September 1, 2022

Thistledown
Luis Gonzalez – ruling date September 1, 2022

Voided Claims

Parx Racing
Kenai Cool – ruling date August 29, 2022
Prince Filip – ruling date August 30, 2022
Big Al's Gal – ruling date August 30, 2022
Ms Canela – ruling date August 30, 2022
Back Channel – ruling date August 31, 2022
Princess Kaira – ruling date August 31, 2022

Monmouth Park
Leo and Luca – ruling date August 29, 2022
Distorted Limits – ruling date August 29, 2022

Violations Involving Forfeiture of Purse

Colonial Downs
Matildie Barahona – rulings date August 30, 2022, owner of horse ridden by Angel Arroyo, 10 strikes, purse redistribution

Saratoga
Luis Rodriguez Castro – ruling date August 27, 2022, ten strikes; $500 fine, 3-day suspension, 5 points, purse redistribution

Appeal Request Updates

Evangeline Downs
Paulina Ramirez
Crop rule violation
Ruling date August 19, 2022
Appeal filed August 19, 2022
No stay requested

Saratoga
Thomas O'Keefe, William Nichols, Truls Engebretsen, Kevin Hilbert (owners of Drafted, horse ridden by jockey Luis Rodriguez Castro)
Crop rule violation resulting in purse redistribution
Ruling date August 27, 2022
Appeal filed September 2, 2022
Stay requested