Irad Ortiz, Jr., has been handed a $500 fine by stewards in Kentucky for violating the state's whip regulations in this year's Kentucky Derby. According to the ruling published May 13, stewards found Ortiz exceeded the allowable use of the crop in an overhand style while riding Mo Donegal to a fifth-place finish in the race.
Ortiz was later issued an additional $100 fine after he waived his right to a hearing and failed to appear for a race replay review before Kentucky stewards. Ortiz is based in New York, and rode the card at Belmont Park on May 12, the date stewards had requested he appear for a replay review.
Kentucky implemented new regulations surrounding whip use last year, restricting overhanded hits to six or fewer in the course of a race, with no more than two together before giving the horse a chance to respond.
Although Ortiz's violation was the only one that came in the Derby, stewards issued other whip rule violations to fellow jockeys Jose Ortiz (who had two), Manny Franco, Reylu Gutierrez, Colby Hernandez, Mitchell Murrill, and Brian Hernandez. All fines were set at $500 per violation.
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