By Daniel 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.
California
Track: Santa Anita
Date: 09/29/2023
Licensee: Jose Valdivia jr., jockey
Penalty: Three-day suspension
Violation: Careless riding
Explainer: Having received notice from the California Horse Racing Board that the appeal of DMTD Ruling #07 (July 22, 2023) has been withdrawn, the original ruling is reinstated. Jockey Jose Valdivia jr. is suspended for 3 racing days (October 14,15 and 20, 2023). Pursuant to California Horse Racing Board Rule #1766 (Designated Races), the term of suspension shall not prohibit participation in designated races.
Track: Santa Anita
Date: 09/30/2023
Licensee: Dino Baccari, owner
Penalty: Restoration of good standing
Violation: N/A
Explainer: Owner Dino Baccari, having complied with the provisions of California Horse Racing Board rule #1876 (Financial Responsibility – $633.79 to Kingfisher Farms) is restored to good standing. Ruling LAQL #109 issued at Los Alamitos Quarter Horse Association on September 9, 2023, is set aside.
New York
Track: Aqueduct
Date: 09/26/2023
Licensee: Jose Lezcano, jockey
Penalty: Three-day suspension
Violation: Careless riding
Explainer: Jockey Jose Lezcano is hereby suspended 3 NYRA racing days having appealed a stay has been granted. For careless riding during the running of the 5th race on September 21, 2023. Nyxed ridden by Jockey Jose Lezcano was disqualified from 4th and placed 11th.
Track: Aqueduct
Date: 09/28/2023
Licensee: Linda Rice, trainer
Penalty: Fourteen-day suspension, $2,000 fine
Violation: Medication violation
Exlainer: Linda Rice as responsible trainer under 9 NYCRR 4043.4 (a), violated commission rules in that Linda Rice trained horse “Afleet Arlene” that finished 1st in the 4th race at Aqueduct Racetrack on January 21st 2023, and having received a report from the New York Drug Testing and Research Program that a race-day sample taken from the horse “Afleet Arlene” 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. Trainer Linda Rice is hereby suspended fourteen (14) days and fined the sum of two thousand ($2,000) dollars having appealed a stay has been granted. Furthermore, the Stewards order horse “Afleet Arlene” disqualified from any part of the purse and the purse redistributed as follows:
- (#2) Darn That Song
- (#4) Handle the Truth
- (#5) America's Pride
- (#6) Sheza Rajun Cajun
- (#3) Predetermined
- (#8) Midmon
Rice has appealed the ruling. More on the story here.
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
Santa Anita
Cesar Ortega – violation date Sept 24; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 8 strikes
Pending ADMC Violations
Date: 09/08/2023
Licensee: Clarence King, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Dimethylsulfoxide—Controlled Medications (Class C)—in a sample taken from Indirectly. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).
Date: 09/07/2023
Licensee: Ismael Bahena, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
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: 09/06/2023
Licensee: Carl James Deville, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Tapentadol and Butalbital—banned substances—in a sample taken from Eurobeliever, who was pulled up and vanned off at Presque Isle Downs on 9/6/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3212—Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).
Date: 08/28/2023
Licensee: David Wayne Baker, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
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: 08/28/2023
Licensee: Shane Meyers, trainer
Penalty: Provisionally suspended
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Altrenogest—a banned substance—in a sample taken from Mugsy Malone. This is a possible violation of Rule 3212—Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers.
Date: 08/27/2023
Licensee: Mark Hibdon, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Explainer: For the presence of Flunixin—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from D'wild Muffin, who won at Arapahoe on 8/27/23. 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: 08/25/2023
Licensee: Sammy Stevens, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
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: Pending
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: 08/15/2023
Licensee: Jeffrey Crozier, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone—Controlled Medications (Class C)—in a sample taken from Orb of the Boro, who won at Belterra Park on 8/15/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).
Date: 08/04/2023
Licensee: Philip Aristone, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Lamotrigine—Controlled Medications (Class B)—in a sample taken from Field Letters, who won at Penn National on 8/4/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).
Resolved ADMC Violations
Date: 08/29/2023
Licensee: Scott Young, trainer
Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points
Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone—Controlled Medications (Class C)—in a sample taken from Our Davina. 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: Conor Timothy Murphy, trainer
Penalty: A fine of $3,000; imposition of 3 Penalty Points
Explainer: A possible violation of Rule 3314—Use or Attempted Use of a Controlled Medication Substance or a Controlled Medication Method—on the horse, Dixie Supreme. This is also a possible violation of Rule 4222—Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout.
Date: 08/26/2023
Licensee: Jeff Mullins, trainer
Penalty: A fine of $3,000; imposition of 3 Penalty Points
Explainer: A possible violation of Rule 3314—Use or Attempted Use of a Controlled Medication Substance or a Controlled Medication Method—on the horse, Dandy Man Shines. This is also a possible violation of Rule 4222—Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout.
Date: 08/23/2023
Licensee: Juan Alvarado, trainer
Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility, beginning on October 4, 2023; a fine of $1,000; imposition of 2 Penalty Points
Explainer: For the presence of Acepromazine—Controlled Medications (Class B)—in a sample taken from Evelyn. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).
Date: 08/23/2023
Licensee: Dan Blacker, trainer
Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility, beginning on October 3, 2023; a fine of $1,000; imposition of 2 Penalty Points
Explainer: For the presence of Acepromazine—Controlled Medications (Class B)—in a sample taken from Miss O'Brien. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).
Date: 08/15/2023
Licensee: Robert Kinmon, 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
Explainer: For the presence of Methocarbamol—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Vamonos, who finished sixth at Belterra Park on 8/15/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substances.
Date: 05/28/2023
Licensee: Ray Handal, trainer
Penalty: Withdrawal of EAD Notice
Explainer: For the presence of Zeranol—a banned substance—in a sample taken from Barrage, who finished second at Belmont Park on 5/28/23. This was a possible violation of Rule 3212—Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers. Pursuant to ADMC Program Rule 3247(e), HIWU has lifted the Provisional Suspension based upon information submitted by the Covered Person and the review of relevant scientific information. The Equine Anti-Doping Notice has not been withdrawn.
Read more on the story here.
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