Weekly Stewards & Commissions Rulings: Feb. 1-7

Weekly Stewards and Commissions Rulings, Feb. 1 – Feb. 7

   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.

California

Track: Santa Anita
Date: 02/06/2022
Licensee: Edwin Maldonado, jockey
Penalty: $750
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: Jockey Edwin Maldonado is fined $750.00 for violation of California Horse
Racing Board rule #1688(b)(8) (Use of Riding Crop–more than six times–second offense within the past 60 days) during the fourth race at Santa Anita Park on Feb. 5, 2022.

Track: Santa Anita
Date: 02/06/2022
Licensee: Tyler Baze, jockey
Penalty: $1,000
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: Jockey Tyler Baze is fined $1,000.00 for violation of California Horse Racing Board rule #1688(b)(8) (Use of Riding Crop–more than six times–third offense within the past 60 days) during the seventh race at Santa Anita Park on Feb. 5, 2022.

Track: Santa Anita
Date: 02/06/2022
Licensee: Drayden Van Dyke, jockey
Penalty: Three-day suspension
Violation: Careless riding
Explainer: Jockey Drayden Van Dyke, who rode Disco Ball in the third race at Santa Anita Park on Feb. 5, 2022, is suspended for three racing days (Feb. 13, 18 and 19, 2022) for failure to make the proper effort to maintain a straight course in the stretch, causing interference which resulted in the disqualification of his mount from first to second. This constitutes a violation of California Horse Racing Board rule #1699 (Riding Rules–Careless Riding). Pursuant to California Horse Racing Board rule #1766 (Designated Races), the term of suspension shall not prohibit participation in designated races.

Florida

The following rulings were reported on the ARCI's “Recent Rulings” webpage. All but one of the rulings, however, show “no penalty” for the medication violations. According to a spokesperson for the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, the rulings that indicate “no penalty” are from samples collected prior to May 20, 2021, when the Division adopted new testing procedures on the back of litigation.
“As a result of litigation, the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering developed and adopted new administrative rules regarding testing methodologies, measurement uncertainties, and screening limits for racehorses. These new requirements have been in effect since May 20, 2021,” the spokesperson wrote.
“Cases involving samples collected prior to that date were resolved pursuant to negotiated agreements between the Division and trainers. Relying on these new requirements, the
Division continues to help protect the safety and welfare of racehorses and the integrity of the races themselves,” the spokesperson added.

Track: Gulfstream Park
Date: 01/31/2022
Licensee: Oscar Gonzalez, trainer
Penalty: $500 fine and 15-day suspension
Violation: Medication/drug violation
Explainer: Consent Order – 2021-053658 – F.S. 550.2415 – violation = clenbuterol. $500 fine 15-day suspension (dates to be determined). “SPECIAL MEISTER”
Track: Gulfstream Park
Date: 02/03/2022
Licensee: Benny Cadahia, trainer
Penalty: N/A
Violation: Medication/drug violation
Explainer: Stipulation and Consent Order – Case #2021-003167 – F.S. 550.2415 – violation = ALBUTEROL. NO PENALTY “ULTRACONFIDENT”
The following were displayed on the ARCI's “recent rulings” webpage but have subsequently been removed. The TDN, however, confirmed their veracity with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

Track: Gulfstream Park
Date: 01/31/2022
Licensee: Peter Walder, trainer
Penalty: N/A
Violation: Medication/drug violation
Explainer: Consent Order Case #2021-003148 – F.S. -550.2415 – Violation = Clenbuterol. NO PENALTY “RESIDENT”
Track: Gulfstream Park
Date: 01/31/2022
Licensee: Peter Walder, trainer
Penalty: N/A
Violation: Medication/drug violation
Explainer: Consent Order Case #2021-013088 – F.S. 550.2415 – violation = Clenbuterol. NO PENALTY “HAPPY CHAMP”
Track: Gulfstream Park
Date: 01/31/2022
Licensee: Peter Walder, trainer
Penalty: N/A
Violation: Medication/drug violation
Explainer: Consent Order – Case #2020-03789 – F.S. 550.2415 – violation = clenbuterol. NO PENALTY. “CREA'S BKLYN LAW”

Track: Gulfstream Park
Date: 01/31/2022
Licensee: Darien Rodriguez, trainer
Penalty: N/A
Violation: Medication/drug violation
Explainer: Consent order – Case #2019-012095 – F.S. 550.2415 – violation = methocarbamol. NO PENALTY. “GENERAL PADDY”

Track: Gulfstream Park
Date: 01/31/2022
Licensee: Ricko Maragh, trainer
Penalty: N/A
Violation: Medication/drug violation
Explainer: Consent Order Case #2019-002516 – F.S. – 550.2415 – NO PENALTY. “VINNIE VAN GO”
Track: Gulfstream Park
Date: 01/31/2022
Licensee: Anthony Quartarolo, trainer
Penalty: N/A
Violation: Medication/drug violation
Explainer: Consent Order – Case #2019-015584 – F.S. 550.2415 – violation = dexamethasone. NO PENALTY. “MISS HEART”
Track: Gulfstream Park
Date: 01/31/2022
Licensee: Amador Sanchez, trainer
Penalty: N/A
Violation: Medication/drug violation
Explainer: Consent Order – Case #2020-022161 – F.S. 550.2415 – violation = methocarbamol. NO PENALTY “MI TRES POR CIENTO”

Track: Gulfstream Park
Date: 01/31/2022
Licensee: Amador Sanchez, trainer
Penalty: N/A
Violation: Medication/drug violation
Explainer: Consent Order – Case #2020-054352 – F.S. 550.2415 – violation = clenbuterol. NO PENALTY “AYCAPOTE”

Track: Gulfstream Park
Date: 01/31/2022
Licensee: Amador Sanchez, trainer
Penalty: N/A
Violation: Medication/drug violation
Explainer: Consent Order – Case #2021-005604 – F.S. 550.2415 – violation = methocarbamol. NO PENALTY “DIAMONDS ENJOY”
Track: Gulfstream Park
Date: 01/31/2022
Licensee: Amador Sanchez, trainer
Penalty: N/A
Violation: Medication/drug violation
Explainer: Consent Order – Case #2021-016608 – F.S. 550.2415 – violation = flunixin, phenylbutazone. NO PENALTY “COLTONSTHEADMIRAL”

Track: Gulfstream Park
Date: 01/31/2022
Licensee: Peter Walder, trainer
Penalty: N/A
Violation: Medication/drug violation
Explainer: Consent Order – Case #2019-027648 – F.S. 550.2415 – violation = clenbuterol. NO PENALTY “DIZZY GILLESPIE”