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.
The TDN also posts a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) related rulings from the same week. These include decisions from around the country.
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.
Resolved ADMC Violations
Date: 09/26/2023
Licensee: William Cowans, trainer
Penalty: A fine of $3,000; imposition of 3 Penalty Points. Admission of ECM Rule Violation and Acceptance of Consequences.
Explainer: A possible violation of Rule 3314—Use or Attempted Use of a Controlled Medication Substance or a Controlled Medication Method—on the horse, Dream Keeper. This is also a possible violation of Rule 4222—Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout.
Date: 09/26/2023
Licensee: William Cowans, trainer
Penalty: Treated as 1 violation with Dream Keeper under 9/8/23 HISA Guidance. Admission of ECM Rule Violation and Acceptance of Consequences
Explainer: A possible violation of Rule 3314—Use or Attempted Use of a Controlled Medication Substance or a Controlled Medication Method—on the horse, Secretary of War. This is also a possible violation of Rule 4222—Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout.
Date: 08/20/2023
Licensee: Randi Persaud, trainer
Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final Decision by HIWU.
Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone—Controlled Medications (Class C)—in a sample taken from Jumpster. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).
Date: 08/12/2023
Licensee: Leslye Bouchard, trainer
Penalty: A fine of $3,000; imposition of 3 Penalty Points. Admission of ECM Rule Violation and Acceptance of Consequences.
Explainer: A possible violation of Rule 3314—Use or Attempted Use of a Controlled Medication Substance or a Controlled Medication Method—on the horse, Tomarie. This is also a possible violation of Rule 4222—Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout.
Date: 06/24/2023
Licensee: Javier Morzan, trainer
Penalty: None. EAD Charge Withdrawn
Explainer: For the presence of Metformin—a banned substance—in a sample taken from Lady Liv, who finished third at Delaware Park on 6/24/23. This was a possible violation of Rule 3212—Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers.
Date: 06/11/2023
Licensee: Guadalupe Munoz Elizondo, trainer
Penalty: None. EAD Charge Withdrawn
Explainer: For the presence of Metformin—a banned substance—in a sample taken from Quinton's Charmer on 6/11/23. This was a possible violation of Rule 3212—Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers.
Read more on the withdrawn charges against Elizondo and Morzan here.
Pending ADMC Violations
Date: 09/24/2023
Licensee: Manuel Badilla, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Dexamethasone—Controlled Medications (Class C)—in a sample taken from Regal Redwood, who finished third at Golden Gate on 9/24/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).
Date: 08/29/2023
Licensee: Kevin Fletcher, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Caffeine—Controlled Medications (Class B)—in a sample taken from Ruby Layne. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).
Date: 08/11/2023
Licensee: Cathal Lynch, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Flunixin—Controlled Medications (Class C)—in a sample taken from Saloon, who finished second at Laurel Park on 8/11/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).
Date: 07/28/2023
Licensee: John Pimental, veterinarian
Penalty: Provisional Suspension
Alleged violation: Possession of banned substances
Explainer: For the possible possession of Levothyroxine (Thyro-L). This is a possible violation of Rule 3214(a)—Possession of Banned Substances
Date: 05/29/2023
Licensee: John Pimental, trainer
Penalty: Provisionally suspended
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Methamphetamine—a banned substance—in a sample taken from Golovkin, who finished sixth at Monmouth Park on 5/29/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3212—Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers.
Read more on Pimental's story here.
Violations of Crop Rule
One important note: HISA's whip use limit is restricted to six strikes during a race.
Golden Gate Fields
Santos Rivera – violation date Oct 22; $250 fine, one-day suspension
Delaware Park
Hugh H Robertson – violation date Oct 18; $3,200 Purse forfeiture but no further records of the ruling
Eduardo Gallardo – violation date Oct 18; $500 fine, 10-day suspension
Augusto Ali Marin – violation date Oct 20; $500 fine, $550 purse forfeiture, three-day suspension
Karla Marie Dejesus – violation date Oct 20; $540 purse forfeiture but no further records of the ruling
Horseshoe Indianapolis
Tyler Jake Heard – violation date Oct 19; $100 fine but no further records of the ruling
Mahoming Valley Race Course
Fernando Salazar Becerra – violation date Oct 21; $250 fine, one-day suspension
Santa Anita Park
Jose Leonardo Verenzuela – violation date Oct 20; $250 fine, one-day suspension
Kent Desormeaux – violation date Oct 20; $250 fine, one-day suspension
OTHER KEY RULINGS
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.
California
Track: Santa Anita
Date: 10/21/2023
Licensee: Antonio Fresu, jockey
Penalty: Three-day suspension
Violation: Careless riding
Explainer: Jockey Antonio Fresu, who rode Kitzkaty in the ninth race at Santa Anita Park on October 20, 2023, is suspended for 3 racing days (October 28, 29 and November 2, 2023) for altering course without sufficient clearance in the stretch, causing interference resulting in the disqualification of his mount from second to eighth; a violation of California Horse Racing Board rule #1699 (Riding Rules – careless riding).
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