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: 05/26/2023
Licensee: Armando Aguilar, apprentice jockey
Penalty: Four-day suspension
Violation: Careless riding
Explainer: Having received notice from the California Horse Racing Board that the appeal of LATS Ruling #59 (May 7, 2023) has been withdrawn, the original ruling is reinstated. Apprentice Jockey Armando Aguilar is suspended for 4 racing days (May 27, 28, 29 & June 2, 2023).
Track: Santa Anita
Date: 05/26/2023
Licensee: George Papaprodromou, trainer
Penalty: $500 fine
Violation: Out-of-competition medication violation
Explainer: Trainer George Papaprodromou, who worked the horse The Slap at Santa Anita Park on February 19, 2023, is fined $500.00 and assessed one half (1/2) point in accordance with California Horse Racing Rule #1843.4 (Multiple Medication Violations – Expires 5/26/24) pursuant to California Horse Racing Board Rule #1887 (Trainer or Owner to Insure Condition of Horse) for violation of California Horse Racing Board Rule #1868 (Authorization Medication During Workouts) and Rule #1843.1 (b) (Prohibited Drug Substances – Phenylbutazone [Class 4].
New York
Track: Belmont Park
Date: 05/25/2023
Licensee: Steven Lascher, racing official
Penalty: $8,000 fine
Violation: Failure to administer lasix
Explainer: Official Dr. Steven Lascher is hereby fined the sum of $8,000 for failing to follow proper lasix procedures, necessitating the scratches of horses racing in the 3rd race on May 19th 2023 at Belmont Park.
For more on the story, read here.
Track: Belmont Park
Date: 05/25/2023
Licensee: Christopher Carmac, racing official
Penalty: $2,000 fine
Violation: Unauthorized participation of horse
Explainer: Mr. Christopher Camac is hereby fined the sum of $2,000 for allowing the unauthorized participation of horse (Georgie's Ladies) on January 8th 2022 race 9, March 12th 2023 race 9, March 24th 2023 race 3 and April 16th 2023 race 9.
Track: Belmont Park
Date: 05/26/2023
Licensee: Rob Atras, trainer
Penalty: Ten-day suspension, $1,000 fine
Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: Mr. Rob Atras as responsible trainer under 9 NYCRR 4043.4(a), violated commission rules in that Mr. Rob Atras trained horse “Market Alert” , that finished 4th in race 7 at Aqueduct Racetrack on February 20th 2023, and having received a report from the New York Drug Testing and Research Program that a race-day sample taken from the horse “Market Alert” had the substance Phenylbutazone present at a concentration, including an assessment of the measurement and imprecision of the quantitative threshold, in excess of the quantitative threshold, in excess of 0.3 mcg/ml in plasma in violation of 9 NYCRR 4043.4 (a) 26. Having waived the right to request a hearing , Mr. Rob Atras is suspended 10 Calandar days effective Sunday June 11th 2023 through June 20th 2023 inclusive, and fined the sum of one thousand ($1,000) dollars.
Furthermore, “Market Alert” is disqualified from any part of the purse and the Stewards order the purse redistributed as follows:
- #5 Bourbon Calling
- #4 King Kumbalay
- #6 Practical Coach
- #2 Chestertown
- #1 Lobsta
- #7 No Burn
During this period of suspension, Mr. Rob Atras shall not directly nor indirectly participate in New York State pari-mutuel horse racing, is denied privileges and use of the grounds of New York State racetracks, and is forbidden to participate in any share of purses. In addition, every horse is denied the privileges of the grounds and shall not participate in pari-mutuel racing in New York State that is (A) owned or trained by Mr. Rob Atras, or by any individual who serves as Mr. Rob Atras agent or employee during this period of suspension; or (B) for which Mr. Rob Atras is directly or indirectly involved in training during this period of suspension, including any arrangements to care for, train, enter in a race, race, invoice, collect fees or other payments related to, manage funds, employ and / or insure workers, provide advice or other information, or otherwise handle or assist with any aspect of the training of such horses.
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
Delaware Park
Xavier Perez Rivera – violation date May 25; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 9 strikes
John Paul Hiraldo – violation date May 25; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 7 strikes
Thistledown
Juan Valez – violation date May 23; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 1-3 strikes over the limit
Santa Anita
Antonio Fresu – violation date May 27; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 7 strikes
Hector Berrios – violation date May 28; $584 fine and one-day suspension, 7 strikes
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