Weekly Rulings: May 24-30

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: 05/28/2022
Licensee: Abdul Alsagoor, jockey
Penalty: Three-day suspension
Violation: Careless riding
Explainer: Apprentice Jockey Abdul Alsagoor, who rode Poseidon's Kid in the eighth race at Santa Anita Park on May 27, 2022, is suspended for 3 racing days (June 4, 5 and 10, 2022) for failure to make the proper effort to maintain a straight course in the stretch, causing interference which resulted in the disqualification of his mount from second to fourth place. This constitutes a violation of California Horse Racing Board rule #1699 (Riding Rules – Careless Riding). Pursuant to California Horse Racing Board rule #1766 (Designated Races), the term of suspension shall not prohibit participation in designated races.

NEW YORK
Track: Belmont Park
Date: 05/28/2022
Licensee: Edward Barker, trainer
Penalty: $500 fine
Violation: Failure to report a shockwave treatment
Explainer: Trainer Mr Edward Barker is hereby fined the sum of $500 dollars for failing to report a shockwave treatment.

KENTUCKY
Some of the following rulings were not posted on the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission website in time for inclusion last week.

Track: Churchill Downs
Date: 05/20/2022
Licensee: Eder Martinez, jockey
Penalty: Three-day suspension
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: After waiving his right to a hearing before the Board of Stewards, Eder Martinez, who rode Youvsaiditall in the third race at Churchill Downs on May 15, 2022 was found to have violated the crop regulation. This being his first offense, Mr. Martinez was given the option and chose to serve a suspension.

Track: Churchill Downs
Date: 05/21/2022
Licensee: Isaias Ayala, jockey
Penalty: Three-day suspension
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: After waiving his right to a hearing before the Board of Stewards, Isaias Ayala, who rode El Gavilan in the second race at Churchill Downs on May 20, 2022 was found to have violated the crop regulation. This being his first offense, Mr. Ayala was given the option and chose to serve a suspension. Isaias Ayala is hereby suspended 3 racing days, May 27 through May 29, 2022 (inclusive) for his improper use of the crop by exceeding the allowable use in the overhand manner.

Track: Churchill Downs
Date: 05/21/2022
Licensee: Jack Gilligan, jockey
Penalty: $500 fine
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: After waiving his right to a hearing before the Board of Stewards, Jack Gilligan, who rode Jeremy's Jet in the second race at Churchill Downs on May 20, 2022 was found to have violated the crop regulation (2nd offense). Jack Gilligan is hereby fined $500 for his improper use of the crop by exceeding the allowable use in the overhand manner.

Track: Churchill Downs
Date: 05/21/2022
Licensee: Paul McEntee, trainer
Penalty: $500 fine
Violation: Improper scratch
Explainer: After waiving his right to a hearing before the Board of Stewards, Paul McEntee is hereby fined $500 for the scratch of Jeremy's Jet from the first race on May 19, 2022, which violated the regulation that governs scratches.

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Ny Traffic, Shipsational Take Stakes On Empire Showcase Day

CHC Inc. and WinStar Farm's Americanrevolution, trained by Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher and expertly piloted by Luis Saez, successfully stepped up against older company to capture the featured $300,000 Empire Classic on Saturday's lucrative Empire Showcase Day card, at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y.

The special 10-race card devoted to horses bred in the Empire State boasted six stakes worth a combined $1.35 million.

“Today's Empire Showcase Day was a prime example of the success and integral role the New York-bred program has in the thoroughbred racing industry,” said Najja Thompson, Executive Director of New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. “Each of our three annual showcase days highlight the quality of talent being produced by the breeders of our state and the opportunities available in incentives for breeders, along with exceptional purses for owners and horsemen.”

Americanrevolution, a sophomore son of Constitution bred by Fred W. Hertrich, III and John D. Fielding, completed a hat trick of wins in August with an impressive five-length win in the nine-furlong Albany on New York Showcase Day at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

The talented chestnut entered Saturday's test from a third-place finish in the Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby on September 25 at Parx Racing in Bensalem, Penn. He made his return to state-bred company a winning one with a convincing 11 3/4-length score in the nine-furlong event for 3-year-olds and up which was contested over a sloppy and sealed main track in Race 9.

Sea Foam, winner of the Evan Shipman in August at the Spa, led the field through splits of 22.85 and 45.84 with two-time Empire Classic winner Mr. Buff tracking in second and Americanrevolution outside rivals and clear in third. Americanrevolution advanced at will through the turn, overtaking Sea Foam at the head of the lane and powered home to a visually-impressive score in 1:49.11.

Wild Banker completed the exacta by a nose over Sea Foam. Danny California, Captain Bombastic, Tiergan, Three Jokers, and Mr. Buff rounded out the order of finish.

Americanrevolution graduated at second asking sprinting six furlongs against older company over Big Sandy on June 20 and followed with a romping 7 1/4-length score in the New York Derby at Finger Lakes ahead of his Albany coup. A $275,000 purchase at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Preferred New York-bred Sale, Americanrevolution is out of the Super Saver mare Polly Freeze. Sent to post as the 2-5 mutuel favorite, Americanrevolution paid $2.90 for a $2 win bet.

Elliott Walden, President and CEO of WinStar Farm, said the Constitution chestnut has proven to be among the elite sophomores currently in training.

“He's a very nice horse. I think he's probably the ninth or tenth best 3-year-old in the country right now,” Walden said. “Some of the better ones are retiring after this year so if he comes back well, who knows how it goes next year. He's certainly done nothing wrong and I'm very excited of what's ahead for him.”

Barry Schwartz's Sharp Starr made a triumphant return to stakes company, rallying from last-of-10 to post a 3 1/4-length victory in the $250,000 Empire Distaff for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up going 1 1/16 miles in Race 8.

The 4-year-old Munnings filly, who won the Grade 3 Go for Wand to cap her sophomore season in December at Aqueduct Racetrack in Ozone Park, N.Y., looked fresh in her first start in more than two months, overtaking Make Mischief at the top of the stretch and powering home a winner in a 1:44.23 final time for trainer Horacio DePaz.

Sharp Starr, off at 16-1, was put under a hold by Jose Ortiz as Trinni Luck led the field through the opening quarter in :23.19, the half in :46.62, and three-quarters in 1:10.91. Ortiz utilized a ground-saving trip before tipping Sharp Starr out entering the turn. With Make Mischief overtaking the tiring pacesetter, Sharp Starr took aim at her rival and overtook her in the stretch to register her first win in five starts this year. Sharp Starr, bred by Stonewell Farm, returned $34.40 in improving to 4-3-3 in 14 starts while increasing her career bankroll to $224,545.

DePaz said Sharp Starr could look to defend her title in the one-mile $250,000 Grade 3 Go for Wand on December 4 at Aqueduct.

“It's definitely a possibility,” DePaz said. “She handled the mile and a sixteenth fine here, so we'll see what her perfect distance will be. We'll keep that race under consideration.”

Ice Princess rallied for second under Saez, with Make Mischief running third. Mrs. Orb, Bank Sting, Maiden Beauty, Dancing Kiki, Byhubbyhellomoney, Trinni Luck, and Vienna Code completed the order of finish.

Iris Smith Stable's Shipsational kicked off the stakes action on Empire Showcase Day by fending off 4-5 favorite Overstep's re-rally effort to win the $250,000 Sleepy Hollow for juveniles contesting a one-turn mile in Race 3.

The Edward Barker-trained Shipsational, who captured the Bertram F. Bongard on September 26 at Belmont, notched his second consecutive stakes win by leading the six-horse field through an opening quarter-mile in :24.09, the half in :47.74, and three-quarters in 1:12.45 over a sloppy and sealed track.

Entering the stretch, Saez kept 6-5 Shipsational to task, repelling Overstep's bid from the outside under Irad Ortiz, Jr. to post a half-length victory, completing the course in a final time of 1:38.32 while paying $4.60 on a $2 win bet. Following Overstep was Who Hoo That's Me, Sterling Hill, Excursionniste, and Sundaeswithsandy completing the order of finish.

Shipsational, now 3-for-4 to start his career, could now target the 1 1/8-mile $250,000 Grade 2 Remsen on December 4 at Aqueduct Racetrack. Barker said he is looking forward to trying the Midshipman colt [bred by Mr. and Mrs. Bertram R. Firestone] around two turns for the first time in a race that offers 10-4-2-1 qualifying points to the 2022 Grade 1 Kentucky Derby.

John Fanelli, Cash is King, LC Racing, and Paul Braverman's Ny Traffic splashed to an emphatic 8 3/4-length victory in the $150,000 Hudson, a 6 1/2-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds and up in Race 5.

Trained by Saffie Joseph, Jr and piloted by Irad Ortiz, Jr., the 4-year-old Cross Traffic gray, bred by Brian Culnan, returned from a two-month layoff with vigor, taking over from pacesetter Foolish Ghost at the top of the lane and powering home in a final time of 1:17.51. The late-running Chestertown, who advanced up the rail through the turn before angling out for the stretch run, completed the exacta. Jemography, Foolish Ghost, Amundson, Our Last Buck, Judge N Jury, and Bronx Bomber rounded out the order of finish. Kaz's Beach was scratched.

Joseph, Jr. said the 2020 Grade 1 Haskell runner-up will now target the $750,000 Grade 1 Cigar Mile Handicap on December 4 at the Big A.

“He won well. The slop was a bit of a concern, but he had trained really well into this race and ran good,” Joseph, Jr. said. “It seems like one-turn is what he wants to do. I think we'll give the Cigar Mile a shot.”

Ny Traffic improved his record to 16-4-4-2 with purse earnings of $754,920. He paid $3.90.

Bloom Racing Stable homebred The Important One broke sharp and led the six-horse field gate-to-wire to notch her first career stakes win by posting a 6 1/4-length score in the $150,000 Iroquois for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up sprinting 6 1/2 furlongs in Race 6.

Trained by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, The Important One was sent to the front from post 2 under jockey Jose Lezcano, posting an opening quarter-mile in :23.04 with the half in :45.70. In the stretch, the 4-year-old Majestic City filly drew away from runner-up Miss Jimmy, hitting the wire in 1:18.03. The Important One, making her first stakes appearance in eight starts, ran her win streak to three while improving to 5-0-3 in 13 career starts for purse earnings to $278,190.

The Important One, one of three horses in the race off at 2-1, returned $6.20. Completing the order of finish behind Miss Jimmy was slight favorite Espresso Shot, Hannah Dances, Fight On Lucy, and Letmetakethiscall.

NY Final Furlong Racing Stable and Parkland Thoroughbreds' Venti Valentine, trained by Jorge Abreu with Ortiz Jr. up, made her stakes debut a winning one in the $250,000 Maid of the Mist, a one-turn mile for juvenile fillies in Race 7.

Sandy's Garden set splits of :23.24 and :46.68 under pressure from Sue Ellen Mishkin as Venti Valentine, who broke a step slow, saved ground in third. Ortiz, Jr. gave Venti Valentine her cue through the turn, advancing with purpose and finding racing room outside the tiring Sandy's Garden as the field straightened away. Once presented, the Firing Line chestnut, bred by Final Furlong Racing Stable and Maspeth Stable, drew off impressively to win by 3 3/4-lengths in a final time of 1:39.78. Captainsdaughter rallied from far back to complete the exacta.

Dufresne, Velvet Sister, Classic Lynne, Sandy's Garden, Vallelujah, and Sue Ellen Mishkin rounded out the order of finish. Luz was pulled up in the stretch run and vanned off. Starship Laoban was scratched.

Undefeated in two starts, Venti Valentine returned $8.70.

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Due to significant rainfall from a coastal storm that impacted Long Island Tuesday and Wednesday, a pair of $200,000 state-bred turf races originally scheduled for Saturday – the Ticonderoga for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up, and the Mohawk for 3-year-olds and up – have been rescheduled for Friday, November 5, and Saturday, November 6, respectively.

Live racing returns Sunday at Belmont Park with a nine-race card highlighted by $200,000 Grade 3 Bold Ruler Handicap, a seven-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds and up along with two divisions of the $100,000 Pumpkin Pie at seven furlongs over Big Sandy for fillies and mares. First post is 12:35 p.m. Eastern.

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Shipsational Best In Bertram F. Bongard At Belmont Park

Iris Smith Stable's Shipsational, with Luis Saez up, overtook pacesetter Senbei in the stretch run en route to a two-length score in Sunday's $150,000 Bertram F. Bongard, a seven-furlong sprint for New York-bred juveniles at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y.

Trained by Edward Barker, the Midshipman chestnut impressed in his 6 3/4-length debut win in July sprinting 5 1/2-furlongs against fellow state-breds over a sloppy and sealed main track at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. He entered from a difficult trip in the 6 1/2-furlong Funny Cide in August at the Spa where he was bumped repeatedly at the start, finishing fourth.

Funny Cide-winner Senbei, with Manny Franco up, set splits of :23.04 and :46.48 on the fast main track in the Bongard under close watch from Whittington Park as Shipsational saved ground along the rail.

Shipsational angled to the two path through the turn as Happy Happy B chased wide with Whittington Park dropping out of contention. Shipsational engaged Senbei for the stretch run, and took command near the eighth pole en route to a convincing win in a final time of 1:23.64.

“He's a really nice, nice colt. He's trained well since the day we got him,” Barker said. “I think he's going to be a special New York-bred. The last race was a throw out. He had trained super coming into this race and I am really, really happy for Mrs. Iris Smith and the whole team.”

Saez said Shipsational finished up strong.

“We had to work a little bit, but he gave me a good kick. He ran pretty great,” Saez said. “Last time, he had a lot of trouble in the race. He missed the break and got bothered a lot. Today, things went our way. He got a good break, he was right there and he won.”

Senbei, Surprise Boss, and Whittington Park completed the order of finish. Happy Happy B fell at the wire unseating rider Jose Ortiz.

Ortiz will attend local area hospital for x-rays on his left ankle. Dr. Anthony Verderosa, NYRA's Veterinary Department Director, advised Happy Happy B incurred a catastrophic injury to his right foreleg and was humanely euthanized on track.

Barker said Shipsational, a $210,000 purchase at the OBS March Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training, could target the $250,000 Sleepy Hollow, a one-turn mile for state-bred juveniles here on October 30.

“Probably. We'll have to give him some time and see what we've got,” Barker said.

Bred in the Empire State by Mr. and Mrs. Bertram R. Firestone, Shipsational banked $82,500 in victory while improving his record to 3-2-0-0. He returned $6.80 for a $2 win wager.

Live racing returns Thursday at Belmont Park with a 9-race card. First post is 2:05 p.m. Eastern.

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Kantarmaci Continues Dominance Of NYRA’s ‘Under 20s Claiming Challenge’

Trainer Mertkan Kantarmaci continued his domination of NYRA's “Under 20s Claiming Challenge” with another title for the concluded winter/spring meet at Aqueduct Racetrack, marking the fourth consecutive time he has finished atop the leaderboard.

The “Under 20s Claiming Challenge,” launched in 2018, is open to local trainers with 20 or fewer horses nationwide. The most recently completed challenge launched on December 10, Opening Day of the 56-day winter meet, and ran through the 11-day Big A spring meet that concluded April 18.

Kantarmaci topped the standings, racking up 133 points in the unique contest that highlighted horses' performances in winners' claiming races on the main track. Randi Persaud was second with 83 points, with Edward Barker [68] and A.C. Avila [65] rounding out the quartet who cracked the 60-point threshold.

The top-eight trainers in the contest shared a prize pool of $80,000, with Kantarmaci earning the first-place prize of $16,000.

The outright win for Kantarmaci followed a 2020 in which he tied Barker for the title during the Big A's winter meet. The Turkish-born conditioner was also the stand-alone challenge winner for the 2018-19 winter meet and the 2019 Belmont Park spring/summer meet.

“It's a great feeling and to get a title like this racing in New York, I'm really delighted with that,” Kantarmaci said. “It shows we can have consistent success with the claiming horses, and most of them have improved from when they were claimed, and some of them have gone on to allowance races. I couldn't get points with those, but of course, I made money with them by moving them up.”

When the winter and spring meets are factored in, Kantarmaci compiled a 10-12-9 record with 74 starters, finishing in the money 41.89 percent of the time and winning at a 13.51 percent clip, with his horses earning $600,617.

“I think I'm one of the best claiming trainers in New York right now,” Kantarmaci said. “I've won a few at Aqueduct and one Belmont. So, it shows we can do well at Belmont and at Aqueduct, which has a long winter meet. There aren't many young trainers in New York; just a few. It's hard to win that much with just claiming horses. But it's gotten people's attention and some owners have asked us if we're available to train their horses, so a claiming title like this in New York has been really helpful.”

Among Kantarmaci's highlights for the concluded Big A stint was the Chilean-bred Mi Tres Por Ciento in an $84,000 allowance optional claimer title on December 19 and an allowance optional claimer worth $84,000 on February 13. Reed Kan also won two of his four starts during the Claiming Championship period, while Dust Devil won a claiming title on January 18 and added another victory in a starter allowance race on April 1.

Looking to parlay that success to the current meet, Kantarmaci has two runners entered for Sunday's program, with Castagno entered for Race 4, a $55,000 claiming contest, and Front Man entered in a $55,000 starter allowance in Race 6.

Overall, Kantarmaci said he has 19 horses in his barn at Belmont and praised NYRA for continuing to sponsor the Claiming Challenge Series.

“We are really happy and thankful for the opportunities it gives to claiming trainers,” Kantarmaci said. “Maybe one day, I'll have high-class stakes horses and maybe some others will have the opportunity to take advantage of this claiming challenge as well.”

The Under 20s Claiming Challenge continues into the current spring/summer meet at Belmont Park, which started April 22 and runs through Closing Day of the 48-day meet on Sunday, July 11. This contest encompasses both main track and turf contests.

To retain eligibility, there can be no more than 20 horses on a trainer's roster at any given time, although a trainer's stable may grow above 20 horses through claiming activity. But only roster horses can earn points. A trainer may replace a claimed horse who was on their roster with another claimed horse. After a horse is claimed, it will be added to the trainer's roster only at the trainer's request.

Horses in for a tag in an allowance optional claiming race will qualify for contest points. Points are not earned in maiden, allowance, starter allowance or stakes races.

A horse that ends up on the stewards' list for poor performance [defeated 25 or more lengths] will not earn the trainer points for that race. Horses that are running for 50 percent or less of the claiming price from their most recent start will only be eligible to earn 50 percent of the typical points for that race.

In addition, horses can only earn contest points for two races within a given 30-day time period. A horse may enter in additional races during that timeframe but will not earn contest points for those additional races.

For more information, please contact the racing office at 718-659-4241.

Contest Point Structure:

Dirt Races – All claiming races for winners, including horses in for an optional tag:

1st Place – 6 points

2nd Place – 5 points

3rd Place – 4 points

4th Place – 3 points

5th Place – 2 points

Turf Races- All claiming races for winners, including horses in for an optional tag

1st Place – 5 points

2nd Place – 4 points

3rd Place – 3 points

4th Place – 2 points

5th Place – 1 point

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