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: 06/10/2022 Licensee: Jessica Pyfer, jockey Penalty: Three-day suspension Violation: Careless riding Explainer: Jockey Jessica Pyfer, who rode Picture of a Lady in the first race at Santa Anita Park on June 5, 2022, is suspended for three racing days (June 17, 18 & 19, 2022) for altering course in the stretch without sufficient clearance and causing interference. This constitutes a violation of California Horse Racing Board rule #1699 (Riding Rules – Careless Riding).
Track: Santa Anita Date: 06/12/2022 Licensee: Abel Cedillo, jockey Penalty: $750 fine Violation: Explainer: Jockey Abel Cedillo is fined $750.00 for violation of California Horse Racing Board Rule #1688(b)(8)(d) (Use of Riding Crop–more than six times–second offense in last 60 days) during the third race at Santa Anita Park on June 11, 2022.
FLORIDA
The following was recently posted on the Association of Racing Commissioners International recent rulings website.
Track: Gulfstream Park Date: 11/23/2021 Licensee: Marcial Navarro Penalty: $150 fine Violation: Trainer responsibility Explainer: Final Order – Case 2021-040103 – F.S. Chapter 550.105, F.A.C. Rule 61D-2.023(7)(c) – violation = Respondent FINED for failing to ensure that the Petitioner was notified of the death of “NOW A JAGUAR” within 18 hours as required by Florida Administrative Code. 5/24/2022 – Final Order Fine of $150 paid in full.
NEW YORK
Track: Belmont Park Date: 06/12/2022 Licensee: Steven Lascher, racing official Penalty: $4,000 fine Violation: Failure to follow Lasix procedure Explainer: Mr. Steven Lascher is hereby fined $4,000 dollars for failing to follow proper Lasix procedure necessitating the late scratches of horses racing in the 7th race on June 9th, 2022.
Kaylasaurus and Prodigy Doll, one-two in the standings in their division after the first leg competition, are set to square off again as the Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred Championships Series (MATCH) returns to Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course Friday, June 17.
Penn National, a longtime MATCH Series partner, will offer two $100,000 six-furlong dirt stakes on the program: the Susquehanna Valley (Filly and Mare Sprint—Dirt division) and the Chocolatetown (3-Year-Olds and Up Sprint—Dirt division). First post time for the card is 6 p.m., with the MATCH Series stakes slated as races five and six.
The second leg of the two turf divisions in the 2022 series was held at June 14 at Parx Racing, which this year is home to the fifth and final championship leg Oct. 3.
Kaylasaurus and Prodigy Gal finished first and second, respectively, in the April 23 Primonetta Stakes at Laurel Park to kick off this year's series in their most recent starts. They are among the seven fillies and mares entered in the Susquehanna Valley.
Owned by Bush Racing Stable, Liberty House Racing, BlackRidge Stables and George Saufley, Kaylasaurus has won two stakes since being claimed for $25,000 last November at Penn National, where she is based with trainer Tim Kreiser. The 6-year-old Pennsylvania-bred mare by Munnings also finished a close fourth in the Grade III Barbara Fritchie Stakes at Laurel in February. Horacio Karamanos, who was aboard for her two stakes wins, is named to ride again.
Stakes-winning Prodigy Doll, owned by HnR Nothhaft Horse Racing and trained by Phil Schoenthal at Fair Hill, finished fifth in the Barbara Fritchie before her close second-place finish in the Primonetta. The 4-year-old Shanghai Bobby filly will be ridden again by Jevian Toledo.
Also entered in the Susquehanna Valley are C J I Phoenix Group and No Guts No Glory Farm's Fille d'Esprit, a John Robb-trained stakes winner who has won eight of 16 starts and finished third in the Barbara Fritchie; and Runnymore Racing's Cinnabunny, who won a Pennsylvania-bred stakes at Parx for trainer Cal Lynch before finishing behind second-place finisher Fille d'Esprit in the May 21 Skipat Stakes at Pimlico Race Course.
Eleven were entered in the Chocolatetown, and most are new to the MATCH Series. Morning-line favorite NY Traffic, owned by John Fanelli, Cash is King LLC, LC Racing LLC, Paul Braverman and Team Hanley, last raced in late April and easily won the six-furlong Affirmed Stakes for New York-breds at Belmont Park. Trained by Saffie Joseph Jr. and to be ridden by Edwin Gonzalez, NY Traffic, a 4-year-old Cross Traffic gelding, was multiple graded stakes-placed at 3 in 2021.
Pocket 3's Racing's Threes Over Deuces and Built Wright Stables' Sir Alfred James both earned MATCH Series points after finishing third and sixth, respectively, in the Frank Y. Whiteley Stakes at Laurel in the first leg of the 3-Year-Olds and Up Sprint—Dirt division.
Threes Over Deuces, trained by Gary Capuano with Maclovio Enriquez Jr. named to ride, finished second in the Grade 3 Maryland Sprint Stakes at Pimlico in his last start. The 7-year-old Flat Out gelding has earned almost $600,000 on a record of seven wins, 14 seconds and nine thirds in 44 starts.
Sir Alfred James, trained by Norman Cash with Victor Carrasco set to come in for the mount, has earned more than $600,000. The 6-year-old Munnings gelding finished fourth in the Maryland Sprint and before that was fourth in the Grade 1 Churchill Downs Stakes.
Trainer Lynch entered Hope Jones and Isabelle DeTomaso's homebred No Cents, who just missed in the May 22 John J. Reilly Handicap for New Jersey-breds at Monmouth Park in his first start since December 2020. The 4-year-old Goldencents Colt has four wins and two seconds in six starts—including two stakes victories—and will be ridden again by Jorge Ruiz.
The MATCH Series originally debuted in 1997 and ran for five years. It returned with great success in 2018 and was held in 2019 and 2021. The innovative regional racing series—the only one of its kind in horse racing—combines rich stakes and bonuses for participating owners and trainers who compete over a five- to seven-month span. Horses competing in MATCH earn points based on participation and order of finish in each series race, and the leading point-earners in each of the series divisions, as well as the owner and trainer of the overall points leader, win lucrative bonuses.
“I would just like to win races, do well, have a safe year, and for everything to run smooth.”
Clear-cut words spoken by none other than Slade Jones.
The Barbadian rider is the newest jockey calling Woodbine home these days. At 16, Jones is also the youngest rider in the colony since the likes of Hall of Famer, Mickey Walls.
While there's been plenty of media buzz surrounding Jones' arrival, the teenager is taking everything in stride. A stride that isn't easy to maintain and one that many people aren't privy to truly understanding. However, it is something that his mom, Sara Jones (Clarke), clearly understands and describes succinctly.
“He has the bloodline for being a rider on both sides of the family, but it has been a lot of pressure for him too, being Jono's son and Chally's grandson. He's taken all that in stride. He's pretty determined. He just puts his head down and wants to be Slade Jones,” said Sara, an accomplished equestrian rider and coach at Big C Stables in Barbados.
Indeed, the media has focused on the fact that his family lineage would naturally tilt Jones' prospects toward becoming a rider. His dad, Jonathan 'Jono' Jones was a champion jockey in Barbados and Canada. Additionally, Challenor 'Chally' Jones, Slade's granddad, was also a notable champion jockey in the West Indies in the 60s up until the 80s (woodbine.com/blog/feature-slade-jones-aspires-to-patriarchal-success/). Sara's father, Neil Clarke, was also a trainer in Barbados.
But as Sara notes, her son rocked his way into the horse world on his own accord.
“He's been in goggles, with boots and a whip in hand from like two-years-old. His riding career really started on a rocking horse, that he never kept stationary. It's supposed to be one of those stationary rocking horses. He used to rock that horse around the house; we thought he was going to bust his nose. He was just rocking and rolling on Butterscotch around the house,” laughed Sara.
Butterscotch retired, and Jones found himself riding as soon as he could walk. Riding with just a rope and halter, bareback in the field, or simply on a horse in the stall – you name it, and Sara has a picture of it. Big C Stables in Frere Pilgrim (Christ Church) is where Slade found his footing as a rider. Run by the Clarke family, Big C has been in operation for nearly five decades. Over the years, both Sara and her mom, Di Clarke have brought on many young riders, whether it has been in dressage, show jumping and yes, a budding jockey in the ranks. Slade's sister, Indy is also a skilled show jumper and helps her mom school and bring along young horses.
While Jones' path to becoming a jockey seems relatively straightforward, there have been some curves and bends in his journey to race riding. “He did go through a time where he hit a growth spurt, and he thought he was going to be too big to be a jockey. At that time, he was doing some show jumping and he was very into Ninja Warriors. He competed for Barbados at the World Ninja Championships in North Carolina,” said Sara.
Deciding on a professional career path is important for any young adult, but sometimes that's not a teenager's top priority. For the most part, teens want to elongate that period between freedom and full-fledged adulthood. Ultimately, the youngsters (even the adults sometimes) want to hold off on the 'adulting is no fun' part, an adage that has found itself in more regular use these days.
Yet, Jones was confident that his calling and his future revolved around horse racing. Born in Canada, but raised in Barbados, the first track that began calling his name was the historic Garrison Savannah. The Garrison is where several well-known Barbadian jocks, such as Patrick Husbands, Ricky and Chris Griffith, Slade and Brett Callaghan (to name a few) got their initial start in the racing world.
At 14, Jones was issued an exercise rider's license and began galloping horses at the Garrison. According to the Barbados Turf Club he could not apply for his apprentice jockey's license until he turned 15.
“The week he turned 15, Robert Peirce put him on a horse, and he had to break out the gates. Both of his stirrup leathers blew out, and he had to ride three furlongs with no stirrups. He managed to get it done and they passed him. From there, he started race riding at 15,” said Sara.
On June 18, 2021, Jones rode his first race. Then, in mid-October, Jones won his first race aboard Pitons Punch for Peirce.
Although Sara is not a jockey, she has been a competitive rider in the show ring. Not surprisingly, she is keenly aware of the pressure one may feel to win.
“He took a few good rides to get his first win here in Barbados. People were starting to say, 'oh gosh, he's hitting the board all the time, but he just doesn't know how to win.' I just kept saying to Slade, 'keep your head down, that win will come.' And then there is a sense a relief when he gets his first win. They start learning to be more patient, because they are hungry, but the hunger is different. It's off of patience and not off of anxiety.”
Slade Jones and his first career winner, Piton's Punch with trainer Robert Peirce and owner The Jetsetters.
Two wins followed, and soon enough, word spread that the young apprentice would move his tack to Canada. In late May, Jones made his riding debut at Woodbine. The jock's room at Woodbine is already home to several Barbadian journeymen, including Patrick Husbands, Keveh Nicholls, Jason Hoyte, Juan Crawford and Corey Jordan.
Jones is the youngest of the Bajan contingent. Interestingly, there have only been a handful of teenagers to race ride at the track over the last six decades. Mickey Walls was licensed out in British Columbia before moving his tack to Toronto. Aside from Walls, Gunnar Lindberg, was also licensed at 16, and rode his first race on May 30, 1973 at Woodbine.
In this game, whether past or present, there's a bounty of young riders from coast to coast. As a sidebar, it's interesting to note just a few here, including Alonzo 'Lonnie' Clayton (explorekyhistory.ky.gov/items/show/315?tour=26&index=24), who, at the tender age of 15, won the 1892 Kentucky Derby aboard Azra. More than several decades later, you'll find that Hall of Famer Steve Cauthen (racingmuseum.org/hall-of-fame/jockey/steve-cauthen) began his riding career at 16. In 1978, at 18, Cauthen captured the U.S. Triple Crown aboard Affirmed.
It goes without saying, there are rules that govern the process by which individuals can be licensed to race ride. In Barbados, where Jones began his career, the Barbados Turf Club's rulebook specifically states (Part X, Sec. 64) that a license can be issued to an apprentice jockey under 18 (but not under the age of 15) if the application has the consent of the parents or guardians of that apprentice.
The AGCO, the Jockeys' Benefit Association of Canada (JBAC/Jockey's Guild), Woodbine and the HBPA oversee the licensing of all riders at the Rexdale oval. Senior steward, Fenton Platts is clear on the *rules involving riders such as Jones who are under 18.
“He has to get consent from his guardian or parents, depending on which category he is in. He has to have a license and a clearance from the jockey club from which he has been riding. So those are two of the things that have to happen,” said Platts.
It's important to recognize the licensing process is also different for Jones. Not solely based on his age, but because the young rider was previously licensed as a jockey by the Barbados Turf Club. If you've never been licensed (as a jockey) by another governing body, there's a specific set of criteria you must meet in order to qualify for your license.
“We have the forms; you need a letter of approval from the starter that says you're capable of handling a horse in the gate. You need three letters from three prominent trainers that would say you have worked horses for them, and you will ride them (i.e. use them as a rider). And then you need three letters from three veteran jocks that are in the top 10 (standings) stating that they have worked horses with you, and you are confident in what you do,” said Daren Gomez, the executive director of JBAC.
Additionally, every jockey needs to have a clearance letter saying they are fit to ride.
“The physical has to be done every year and the eyes have to be done once every two years,” said Gunnar Lindberg, the former jockey turned senior AGCO racing official.
Gomez establishes whether a jockey meets the required criteria and will send a letter to the stewards to proceed with licensing for that specific individual. Currently, the annual fee for an apprentice license is $65.00, and for a jockey it is $130.00.
As a racing official (senior steward), Lindberg remains vigilant about issuing licenses to future riders.
“Once this person brings this letter to me, before they get licensed, I will talk with them and tell them what it takes to be a rider out there and how to use a whip, the things to look for. I think one of the most important things I tell riders is to know where you are at all times out there, where your competition is, who is around you, and places that are very dangerous going into a turn and out of a turn. I will go over that with a young rider before I sign off on a license. I just want to make sure they are very clear on what it's like out there. It is a very dangerous sport, and you can work a million horses in the morning, but there is nothing like riding races,” said Lindberg.
Micah Husbands, Patrick's nephew, has just started the licensing process. For the last couple of years, Micah has been an exerciser rider for well-known Woodbine trainer, Kevin Attard.
Meanwhile, Slade Jones will continue to ply his trade and work toward his goals with his agent, Tom Patton. A jockey agent for over two decades, Patton understands what it takes to survive and thrive in this jockey colony. Patton has represented a handful of great riders, including Patrick Husbands, Eurico Rosa Da Silva, and Slade's dad, Jono. He also had Alex Solis' book when he rode at Woodbine. Watching Jones ease into the colony, Patton has found the transition positive for the teenager.
“Initially, it's a little slow because a lot of riders were here in the spring, getting on horses and building up loyalty in the barns. I think it's been pretty quick for him. He's won a couple of races already and we have a lot of riders, a lot of small fields, so it's been a tough go for a lot of riders,” said Patton.
Slade Jones is the youngest rider Patton has ever represented. Asked if Slade has a similar riding style to his dad, Patton is quick to the punch.
“Absolutely, they do.”
On May 21, Slade rode his first race at the Rexdale oval. Looking on from the paddock, his dad, Jono watched as his son get the leg up on Tempereya for trainer Mike De Paulo.
Being a jockey is one thing; being a parent of a jockey is another. No doubt, a set of emotions rocked through the former jock as his son headed out of the paddock.
“Obviously, I was very nervous, but I know he is very talented, and the kid can ride. As I told him before, 'Just do what you know how to do,'” said Jono.
While not a winner first time out, it didn't take Jones too long to find the wire first.
On June 2, Jones piloted Arra Go Wan to victory on the inner turf for conditioner and owner, Breeda Hayes. While he's already won several races back home, this moment is still very fresh in the jock's mind.
“It was a little nerve wracking. The horse came out the gates and shot straight to the front. I wanted to go to the front, but not so far. It worked out well. When you cross the wire first there's just that sort of relief, you've won and it's just really good to get the monkey off your back,” said Jones.
Watching from home in Barbados, Sara also noted how special the victory was for the family.
“It was really exciting for us. I haven't seen Breeda in years. We all knew each other well and we picnicked together at Gordie Colbourne's barn and at his farm. We met her children. So, it was very special. Jono rode a lot for her and rode that filly's mother and ended up winning on her,” said Sara.
Jono was on hand to watch Slade win with Hayes' homebred.
“That was fantastic. You can't really describe the feeling, but it was fantastic.”
A few days later Jones piloted Jegos Fire to victory for Barbadian trainer, Tedston Holder. Over the weekend, the apprentice picked up a third win aboard Rosebud's Hope for trainer Kevin Attard.
Even after winning a few races at Woodbine, Jones understands that it will take time to learn the ins and outs of this track compared to the Garrison.
“The major difference is this track is a lot bigger. It has a longer straight, and overall, it's just a lot bigger compared to Barbados which is tighter – a fantastic track to learn on, and it's a very good coaching track.”
Whether it been in Barbados or Canada, Sara notes her son's development as a professional athlete in the sport.
“I've watched him grow. He's always been good at rating horses, but he's grown as a rider, there's no two ways about it. At the beginning he used to come home and watch races. The two of us would jump on the couch and re-watch his races. We would discuss the little points, on if he moved too early, or if he waited too late, and where to give your horse a little breather. Now, he rates a horse quite well. It's always been more of a natural gift for him to get horses to relax in a race. But you are just seeing growth and development in his riding within the years, just riding that much stronger.”
A proud mom, to say the least, Sara admits they don't see eye to eye on everything.
“He rides quite short for someone of his height. But he's a stickler. He just says that's where he is most comfortable and where he can ride the strongest from. So, we have agreed to disagree on his length of stirrups. I always say in order to come first, first you must finish. If a horse takes a little bob, you are more likely to come off when you are that short. He said his ninja warriors put him in good standing for good balance. We agree to disagree on that one.”
At 5'10, Jones, is considered tall for a jockey, but height is not always a ledger by which you weigh talent or ability against. Take for instance, Barbadian rider Rey Williams, who won the 2017 Sovereign for outstanding apprentice rider. Williams is six feet tall and still riding competitively.
All jockeys, regardless of age or height, feel the pressure to perform well. Taking everything in stride may look effortless from the outside, but for the newest and youngest rider in the colony its not that easy. Having a strong support system of family and friends throughout this transition has undoubtedly helped Slade navigate his path in the industry. While he is miles away from Barbados, the young rider is feeling pretty content at the oval.
“It's like coming back home. There are a lot of West Indians up here, and the Canadians are real nice. It's really nice here.”
Standing in the parking lot on the backstretch, several jockey agents and their jockeys discuss the upcoming race day ahead. Jones, standing sure-footed, answers the last question before heading on his way and prepping for the afternoon card. Armed with a diligent mindset, the young jock's goals and hunger to win will no doubt determine the future path he carves out for himself in this game.
Meanwhile, his siblings have continued to carve out their unique paths too. Later this year, Indy is going into the agricultural program and majoring in animal science at the University of Guelph. Jones' twin brother Tosh is doing CXC's and applied for an engineering course, with a focus on either mechanical or civil engineering. While Indy and Slade have their equine endeavours at heart, Tosh shoots at the Clay Target club. “He's actually a really good shot. It's just the fluorescent bright clay targets. It's called Olympic trap,” said Sara.
As Sara continues to keep busy teaching and coaching, she is also very proudly watching her kids venture into new chapters in their lives. As the weeks at Woodbine continue to fly by, you can also bet she's keeping a close eye out for a former Big C rider guiding his mount steadily down the stretch at the Rexdale oval.
Of course, both Sara and Slade are taking every moment in each race in stride, and possibly in different stirrup lengths too.
Since issuing a cheat sheet to help guide industry participants through the launch of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) on July 1, the TDN has been fielding unanswered questions that industry participants have about the process to register, and about the anticipated playing field within a few weeks, forwarding them to HISA for response.
The first two batches of reader questions, alongside HISA's responses, can be found here and here.
The latest batch of answers is below. Some of the questions have been edited for brevity and clarity.
The TDN has forwarded every question received, most of them concerned with the impending launch date, but some of them much broadly focused on the federal law in general and the draft Anti-Doping and Medication Control program.
Some of you might still be waiting for a response, however. That's because the organization has focused its attention on answering questions related to racetrack safety and registration given the “push” to July 1, explained a HISA spokesperson. Feedback on the draft ADMC rules may be sent to admcfeedback@hisaus.org.
HISA's formal website can be found here, and the online registration portal can be found here.
Question: This question is in regards to your response to the jockey crop question. Right now, only one company makes the crop that meets the compliance requirements. You say other companies can make crops that meet these requirements, however they cannot if the original company has a patent on the design. Please advise.
HISA: According to the manufacturer of the 360 crop, there is no patent on the current design. And in fact, the patent owner is encouraging other manufacturers to enter the market to increase supply.
Q: When entering horses' names, foal dates and mares' names, the portal would not accept them and I couldn't move forward. What shall I do?
H: If you have entered a horse's name and it is not present in the dropdown list, please call 1-877-513-2919 for assistance. If the horse is unnamed, you do not have to register the horse before July 1st.
Q: Anyone with access to horses on the backstretch has to register, and I worry about people whose English might not be good or who isn't computer-savvy, getting it done. How will HISA help with this? Alternately, should the tracks and/or their representative HBPAs have people helping backstretch employees with their registration?
H: HISA is providing resource materials online and in person in English and Spanish. Some racetracks have held in-person registration drives and HISA will be visiting several racetracks to facilitate the registration process. If you work at a racetrack that is interested putting on a registration event, please send an email to feedback@hisaus.org.
Q: I'm trying to enter the information for [someone] who lives in Monte Carlo, Monaco, and it keeps kicking me out. I think because of the address. Is there something special to do for an international address?
H: HISA is expanding the list of countries for which we are providing valid addresses. In the meantime, please use the address of the racetrack that they will run at.
