The finish of last Saturday's Grade 2 Remsen Stakes at Aqueduct was decided by nose, with Mo Donegal finishing ahead of Zandon.
According to the Equibase chart notes, second-place finisher Zandon “rallied to the lead in upper stretch, lost the advantage to the winner [Mo Donegal] before the eighth pole, dug in gamely on the inside in the final furlong, had the winner's rider [Irad Ortiz, Jr.] attempt to intimidate him late then bumped approaching the wire and just missed in a determined effort.”
After a stewards' inquiry into the finish, the order of finish was confirmed. However, the Daily Racing Form now reports that Zandon's owner Jeff Drown has filed an appeal with the New York State Gaming Commission.
“We're hopeful the Gaming Commission will see there was a rules violation and there should be a review,” Drown's attorney Drew Mollica told DRF. “[Zandon] was beaten an inch. No way in the world the foul that occurred didn't cost the horse an inch.”
According to DRF, two of NYRA's three regular stewards were out of the stand on Saturday. Monmouth steward Stephen Pagano filled in for Commission steward Braulio Baeza, Jr., and retired Commission steward Carmine Donofrio filled in for Jockey Club steward Jen Durenberger.
Read more at the Daily Racing Form.
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