Wednesday's fourth race at Belterra Park may be among the Ohio track's most-watched stretch runs after jockey Chantal Sutherland posted the video to Twitter that afternoon.
“What is happening here @Belterra?” she wrote. “Ummm calling Stewards….”
The original video (see below) has been viewed over 450,000 times as of Friday afternoon, and multiple social media users shared additional copies of the same stretch run with expressions of outrage and disbelief.
In the viral clip, jockey Gregory Romero can be seen aboard the leading horse, Scooterandabigman, approaching the finish line. Romero is clear by nearly a length when he rises in his stirrups and appears to stop encouraging his mount altogether. The lack of action allows Hillbilly Logic and jockey John McKee to close down the center of the Belterra turf course, hitting the wire a neck ahead of Romero and Scooterandabigman. As Romero's mount is passed, the jockey can be seen looking at the oncoming horse over his shoulder, though he never resumes riding.
Hillbilly Logic was the 1.20-1 favorite; Scooterandabigman went off at 9.90-1.
The Equibase chart footnotes read: “Scooterandabigman had a rail trip chasing pace to stretch, angled out to the lead, stayed on in the late going but nailed on the wire with mild perseverance in the final four strides.”
According to a ruling obtained by the Paulick Report, a hearing was held in the stewards' office at Belterra Park for jockey Gregory Romero on Thursday, August 3, 2023, regarding an allegation of careless riding.
“After considering all testimony and evidence during this hearing, the Board of Stewards determined that Jockey Gregory Romero misjudged the finish line and failed to persevere through the wire which cost his mount a position,” the ruling reads. “Therefore, Jockey Gregory Romero is fined $1,000 (one-thousand dollars) and suspended thirty (30) days. This penalty will be reduced to $500 (five-hundred dollars) and suspended fifteen (15) days, if not appealed.”
After verbally waiving his right to appeal, jockey Gregory Romero will end up serving a 15-day suspension and paying a $500 fine. His fifteen (15) day suspension is from Aug, 9 through and including Aug. 23.
Romero has won with three of his 29 mounts in 2023; his lifetime statistics include 32 winners from 297 mounts in North America since 2016.
What is happening here @Belterra ummm calling Stewards…. pic.twitter.com/ybETtKlqpo
— Chantal Sutherland (@jockeychantal) August 2, 2023
The post Jockey Gregory Romero Will Serve 15-Day Suspension For Failure To Persevere In Belterra Race appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
