Weekly Stewards And Commissions Rulings, Feb. 7-13

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: Santa Anita

Date: 02/10/2023

Licensee: Lorenzo Ruiz, trainer

Penalty: $500 fine

Violation: Medication violation

Explainer: Trainer Lorenzo Ruiz, who started the horse Manitowish, who finished third in the second race on Sept. 10, 2022, at Del Mar Race Track is fined $500.00 and assessed one half (1/2) point in accordance with California Horse Racing Rule #1843.4(a) (Multiple Medication Violations – Expires 02/10/24) pursuant to California Horse Racing Board Rule #1887(a) (Trainer or Owner to Insure Condition of Horse) for violation of California Horse Racing Board Rule #1843(a)(b)(d) (Medication, Drugs and Other Substances and Rule #1843.1(b) (Prohibited Drug Substances – Phenylbutazone [Class 4]).

Track: Santa Anita

Date: 02/11/2023

Licensee: Diego Herrera, jockey

Penalty: Three-day suspension

Violation: Careless riding

Explainer: Jockey Diego Herrera, who rode Lasmuigh in the third race at Santa Anita Park on Feb. 10, 2023, is suspended for 3 racing days (Feb. 18, 19 and 20, 2023) for failure to make the proper effort to maintain a straight course in the stretch, causing interference. This constitutes a violation of California Horse Racing Board rule #1699 (Riding Rules – careless riding).

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

Aqueduct

Erick Fuentes–violation date February 9; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 7 strikes

Manuel Franco–violation date February 9; $250 fine, raising wrist above the helmet

Jacqueline Anne Davis–violation date February 10; $250 fine, raising wrist above the helmet

Gulfstream Park

Jose Luis Ortiz–violation date February 10; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 7 strikes

Mahoning Valey Racecourse

Edilberto Dominguez–violation date February 7; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 9 strikes

Oaklawn Park

Rafael Jesus Bejarano–violation date February 10; $250 fine, raising wrist above helmet

Santa Anita

Armando Aguilar–violation date February 10; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 7 strikes

Tampa Bay Downs

Carlos Eduardo Rojas–violation date February 10; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 7 strikes, on appeal stay requested

Isaac Manuel Jimenez–violation date February 10; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 7 strikes

Carlos Eduardo Rojas–violation date February 11; Rojas is suspended 7 calendar days based on points accumulated for multiple violations and served from Saturday, March 11, 2023 through and including Friday, March 17, 2023. On appeal, stay requested

Melissa Iorio–violation date February 11; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 8 strikes

Turfway Park

Alvin Ortiz–violation date February 10; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 8 strikes

Turf Paradise

Enrique Garcia–violation date February 8; $500 fine and three-day suspension, 14 strikes