Weekly Stewards and Commissions Rulings, Oct. 3-9

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.

California

Track: Santa Anita

Date: 09/06/2023

Licensee: Edwin Maldonado, jockey

Penalty: Three-day suspension

Violation: Careless riding

Explainer: Jockey Edwin Maldonado, who rode Where's My Ring in the second race at Santa Anita Park on October 1, 2023, is suspended for 3 racing days (October 14, 15 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).

Track: Santa Anita

Date: 09/06/2023

Licensee: Abel Cedillo, jockey

Penalty: Three-day suspension

Violation: Careless riding

Explainer: Jockey Abel Cedillo, who rode Sea of Cortez (IRE) in the third race at Santa Anita Park on October 1, 2023, is suspended for 3 racing days (October 14, 15 and 20, 2023) for altering course without sufficient clearance in the stretch, causing interference resulting in the disqualification of his mount from third to fourth; a violation of California Horse Racing Board rule #1699 (Riding Rules – careless riding).

Track: Santa Anita

Date: 09/09/2023

Licensee: Juan Hernandez, jockey

Penalty: Three-day suspension

Violation: Careless riding

Explainer: Jockey Juan Hernandez, who rode Endlessly in the sixth race at Santa Anita Park on October 8, 2023, is suspended for 3 racing days (October 20, 21 and 22, 2023) for altering course without sufficient clearance in the stretch; a violation of California Horse Racing Board rule #1699 (Riding Rules – careless riding).

Kentucky

Track: Churchill Downs

Date: 10/01/2023

Licensee: Declan Cannon, jockey

Penalty: Three-day suspension

Violation: Careless riding

Explainer: After a hearing before the Board of Stewards, Declan Cannon, who rode Levy in the second race at Churchill Downs on September 24, 2023 is hereby suspended 3 racing days, October 11 through October 13, 2023 (inclusive) for careless riding in the stretch that resulted in the disqualification of his mount.

Track: Churchill Downs

Date: 10/01/2023

Licensee: Martin Garcia, jockey

Penalty: Three-day suspension

Violation: Careless riding

Explainer: After a hearing before the Board of Stewards, Martin Garcia, Who rode Candy Landy in the third race at Churchill Downs on September 21, 2023 is hereby Suspended 3 racing days, October 14, October 15 and October 18, 2023 for Careless riding near the six and one-half-furlong pole that resulted in the disqualification of his mount.

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

Fresno

Brayan Pena – violation date Oct 8; $250 fine but no further records of the ruling

Horseshoe Indianapolis

Ferrin Peterson – violation date Oct 3; $250 fine but no further records of the ruling

German Terraza – violation date Oct 9; $250 fine but no further records of the ruling

Parx Racing

Angel Castillo – violation date Oct 4; $250 fine but no further records of the ruling

Presque Isle Downs

Maicol Inirio – violation date Oct 4; $250 fine but no further records of the ruling

Pending ADMC Violations

Date: 09/28/2023

Licensee: Barbara Hippie, veterinarian

Penalty: Provisional Suspension

Alleged violation: Possession of banned substances

Explainer: For the possible possession of Bisphosphonate; Pitcher Plant Extract (Sarapin); Levothyroxine (Thyro-L); Isoxsuprine. This is a possible violation of Rule 3214(a)–Possession of Banned Substances

Date: 09/28/2023

Licensee: Scott Shell, veterinarian

Penalty: Provisional Suspension

Alleged violation: Possession of banned substances

Explainer: For the possible possession of Bisphosphonate; Gamma Aminobutyric Acid (GABA); Isoxsuprine. This is a possible violation of Rule 3214(a)–Possession of Banned Substances

Read more on the two cases above here and here.

Date: 09/16/2023

Licensee: Keith Desormeaux, trainer

Penalty: Pending

Alleged violation: Medication violation

Explainer: For the presence of Acepromazine—Controlled Medications (Class B)—in a sample taken from Auto Dial. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 09/10/2023

Licensee: Carlos Mancilla, trainer

Penalty: Pending

Alleged Violation: Medication violation

Explainer: For the presence of Gabapentin—Controlled Medications (Class B)—in a sample taken from Cara in the City, who finished second at Pimlico on 9/10/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 09/03/2023

Licensee: Debbie Van Horne, trainer

Penalty: Pending

Alleged Violation: Medication violation

Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone—Controlled Medications (Class C)—in a sample taken from You're the Cause, who won at Emerald Downs on 9/3/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 08/25/2023

Licensee: Daniel Kenney, trainer

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: 08/12/2023

Licensee: Ron Moquett, trainer

Penalty: Pending

Alleged violation: Medication violation

Explainer: For the presence of Acepromazine—Controlled Medications (Class B)—in a sample taken from Lundberg. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 08/05/2023

Licensee: Rodolfo Sanchez-Salomon, trainer

Penalty: Pending

Explainer: For the presence of Flunixin—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Matty Bo, who won at Laurel Park on 8/5/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List Workout).

Resolved ADMC Violations

Date: 09/07/2023

Licensee: Ismael Bahena, 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. Admission of ECM Rule Violation and Acceptance of Consequences

Explainer: For the presence of Diclofenac—Controlled Medications (Class C)—in a sample taken from Yammy Yammy Bella, who finished second at Kentucky Downs on 9/7/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 09/1/2023

Licensee: Jonathan Thomas, 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, Bay Storm. This is also a possible violation of Rule 4222—Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout.

Date: 08/28/2023

Licensee: David Wayne Baker, trainer

Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission of ECM Rule Violation and Acceptance of Consequences

Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone—Controlled Medications (Class C)—in a sample taken from Gerlach's. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 08/25/2023

Licensee: Sammy Stevens, 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 Pandora Who. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 08/17/2023

Licensee: John Guciardo, 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 $1,000; imposition of 3 Penalty Points. Final Decision by HIWU.

Explainer: For the presence of Dexamethasone and Trichloromethiazide—Controlled Medications (Class C)—in a sample taken from Cuz, who won at Presque Isle Downs on 8/17/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List Workout).

Date: 07/07/2023

Licensee: Chad Brown, trainer

Penalty: A written reprimand (per 9/26/23 HISA Guidance). Admission of ECM Rule Violation and Acceptance of Consequences

Explainer: For the presence of Omeprazole—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Forced Ranking. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers.

Date: 06/09/2023

Licensee: Luis Jorge Perez, veterinarian

Penalty: 14-month period of Ineligibility, beginning on June 14, 2023; a fine of $5,000. Final Decision by Arbitral Body

Explainer:  Possession of a Banned Substance, Levothyroxine (Thyro-L). Rule 3214(a): “Other Anti-Doping Rule Violations Involving Banned Substances or Banned Methods. The following acts and omissions constitute Anti-Doping Rule Violations by the Covered Person(s) in question: (a) Possession of a Banned Substance or a Banned Method, unless there is compelling justification for such Possession.”

Date: 06/07/2023

Licensee: Dennis VanMeter, trainer

Penalty: Disqualification of the 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. Admission of ECM Rule Violation and Acceptance of Consequences

Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone—Controlled Medication (Class C)— in a sample taken from Templement, who finished sixth at Thistledown on 6/7/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance.