Weekly Stewards and Commissions Rulings, July 11-17

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.

The TDN will also post a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) related rulings from the same week. These will include decisions from around the country.

New York
Track: Saratoga
Date: 07/12/2023
Licensee: Tyler Gaffalione, jockey
Penalty: Three-day suspension
Violation: Careless riding
Explainer: Mr. Tyler Gaffalione is hereby suspended three NYRA racing days for careless riding during the running of the 2nd race on July 14th 2023 at Saratoga Racecourse. Having appealed a stay has been granted.
Gaffalione is appealing this ruling.

NEW HISA/HIWU STEWARDS RULINGS
The following rulings were reported on HISA's “rulings” portal and through the Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit's “pending” and “resolved” cases portals.

This does not include 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
Colonial Downs
Jose Lucio Riquelme – violation date July 13; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 1-3 excess strikes

Delaware Park
Richard Mitchell – violation date July 12; $500 fine and three-day suspension, 10 strikes
William Humphrey – violation date July 13; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 7 strikes
Jhonatan Freddy Mendoza – violation date July 13; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 7 strikes

Horseshoe Indianapolis
Eduardo Perez – violation date July 11; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 7 strikes

Presque Isle Downs
Martina Rojas – violation date July 11; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 7 strikes

Pending ADMC Violations
Date: 06/25/2023
Licensee: Lorenzo Ruiz, trainer
Penalty: Provisionally suspended
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Diisopropylamine—a banned substance—in a sample taken from American Cat, who won at Los Alamitos on 6/25/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3212—Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers.

Date: 06/23/2023
Licensee: Lorenzo Ruiz, trainer
Penalty: Provisionally suspended
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Diisopropylamine—a banned substance—in a sample taken from Facts Matter, who won at Los Alamitos on 6/23/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3212—Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers.

Date: 06/20/2023
Licensee: Joseph Taylor, trainer
Penalty: Provisionally suspended
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Methylphenidate and Clenbuterol—both banned substances—in a sample taken from Classy American, who finished second at Parx Racing on 6/20/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3212—Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers.

Date: 06/18/2023
Licensee: Joseph Taylor, trainer
Penalty: Provisionally suspended
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Methylphenidate and Clenbuterol—both banned substances—in a sample taken from Cajun Cousin, who finished second at Parx Racing on 6/18/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3212—Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers.

Date: 06/13/2023
Licensee: Juan Quintana, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from La Castiglione on 6/13/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance.

Date: 06/13/2023
Licensee: Arcadio Lopez, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Flunixin—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Mo Crazy Blues who won at Finger Lakes on 6/13/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance.

Date: 06/11/2023
Licensee: Guadalupe Munoz Elizondo, trainer
Penalty: Provisionally suspended
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Metformin—a banned substance—in a sample taken from Quinton's Charmer on 6/11/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3212—Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers.

Date: 06/10/2023
Licensee: Javier Hernandez, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Salicylic Acid—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Chief Mystique who won at Belterra Park on 6/10/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance.

Date: 06/10/2023
Licensee: Javier Hernandez, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Salicylic Acid—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Fast Fall who won at Belterra Park on 6/10/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance.

Date: 06/8/2023
Licensee: Climaco Galindo-Torres, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Salicylic Acid—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Delaney's Grace who finished eighth at Belterra Park on 6/8/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance.

Resolved ADMC Violations
Date: 06/14/2023
Licensee: Richard Shaffer, trainer
Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points.
Alleged Violation: For the presence of Methocarbamol—Controlled Medication (Class C)— in a sample taken from Devious Mo, who won at Finger Lakes on 6/14/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled

Date: 06/13/2023
Licensee: Jeffrey Englehart, trainer
Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points.
Alleged Violation: For the presence of Methocarbamol—Controlled Medication (Class C)— in a sample taken from Bold Victory, who finished third at Finger Lakes on 6/13/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled.

Date: 06/5/2023
Licensee: Scott Lake, trainer
Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points.
Alleged Violation:  For the presence of Phenylbutazone—Controlled Medication (Class C)— in a sample taken from Louella Street, who won at Parx Racing on 6/5/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance.

Date: 06/2/2023
Licensee: Arnoud Dobber, trainer
Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points.
Alleged Violation: For the presence of Phenylbutazone—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Fast Fixer, who finished first in Race 8 at Gulfstream Park on 6/2/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance.