With the New Jersey Racing Commission (NJRC) last week voting to rescind the whip ban, which had been in place at Monmouth Park since the 2021 season, the Jockeys' Guild Board of Directors has voted to reinstate benefits to its members who choose to ride at Monmouth in 2022. The Guild had not been covering insurance policies for Monmouth riders since July 1. New Jersey was the only state in the country where whipping was banned.
The NJRC had adopted Monmouth's request for a “House Rule,” allowing riders to utilize the riding crop in an overhand fashion for six times in a race, though not more than two times in succession without a pause. The House Rule is in line with the Use of Riding Crop Regulation established by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA), which is set to supersede regulations put in place by state racing commissions this summer.
“While the Monmouth Park House Rule for the riding crop addresses our safety concerns, the decision by the NJRC to implement the House Rule's more extreme penalties than those called for under the HISA Riding Crop Rules are a concern,” said Terry Meyocks, President and CEO of the Jockeys' Guild. “Members should be aware of these excessive penalties should they choose to ride at Monmouth Park.”
The 2022 Monmouth meet begins May 7.
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