Gregory Romero | Horse Racing Free Tips

Jockey Romero Gets 30 Days, Fined $1,000; Penalty Halved for Not Appealing

Jockey Gregory Romero reportedly has been suspended 30 days and fined $1,000 by the Belterra Park stewards two days after he eased up on a 9-1 mount that led in the shadow of the wire but ended up getting beaten by a neck by a more assertively ridden favorite.

Romero's penalty was first reported Friday afternoon by the Paulick Report.

On Thursday, Belterra steward Ron Herbstreit declined an opportunity to comment to TDN about the matter. A Friday morning email TDN sent to Ohio State Racing Commission executive director Christopher Dragone requesting a copy of the ruling remained unanswered at the time of deadline for this story.

“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,” stated the ruling published by the Paulick Report. “Therefore, Jockey Gregory Romero is fined $1,000 and suspended 30 days. This penalty will be reduced to $500 and suspended 15 days, if not appealed.”

The Paulick Report stated that Romero waived his right to appeal, meaning he'll end up serving his reduced days Aug, 9-23.

Romero attained the lead aboard Scooteranddabigman (Mor Spirit) in deep stretch of the fourth race at Belterra Aug. 2, a five-furlong, NW2L $12,500 claiming turf sprint. He encouraged his mount with right-handed stick work into the final sixteenth of a mile, then lowered his whip alongside his right leg while keeping his left hand on the reins. With Hillbilly Logic (Elusive Quality) closing fast to the outside under John McKee, Romero twice glanced to his right but did not urge his mount to counter the move.

Romero has been riding since 2016 with a 32-for-297 career win record. This season he's 3-for-29, and Wednesday's mount was his first opportunity to ride since July 15.

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Jockey Romero Asked To Explain Actions In Controversial Belterra Finish

The stewards at Belterra Park have asked jockey Gregory Romero to explain why he appeared to not persevere with his mount while on the lead in the final few jumps before the finish of Wednesday's fourth race there, which led to that 9-1 horse getting beaten by a neck by the hard-charging 6-5 favorite.

Reached by phone just prior to the start of Thursday's races, the three Belterra stewards–Ron Herbstreit, Vincent Clark, and Raina Paucar–told TDN in a speaker phone call that they would not discuss what was said at that hearing or if a penalty was in the pipeline.

“We have investigated and there was a hearing for the jockey. But as of right now, we have no comment,” said Herbstreit. “If you want to call the jockey, he might tell you something. But right now, we're not, okay?”

TDN could not find a working phone number for Romero to get his side of the story, nor would the Belterra stewards disclose the jockey's contact information. The stewards said Romero is not represented by an agent.

Asked if a ruling had been issued against Romero, Herbstreit said, “Not yet. That's why there's no comment right now.”

After stalking in second for most of the race, Romero attainted the lead in deep stretch of the five-furlong, NW2L $12,500 claiming turf sprint aboard Scooteranddabigman (Mor Spirit). He encouraged his mount with right-handed stick work into the final sixteenth of a mile, but then lowered his whip alongside his right leg while keeping his left hand on the reins.

Hillbilly Logic (Elusive Quality) was closing fast to the outside while under a drive by jockey John McKee, and Romero twice glanced to his right to see the oncoming rival without taking assertive action to counter the favorite's late move.

The Equibase chart explained Scooteranddabigman's second-place finish this way: “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.”

Romero has been riding since 2016 with a 32-for-297 career win record. This season he's won three races from 29 mounts.

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Weekly Rulings: May 3-9

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: 05/06/2022
Licensee: Daniel Dunham, trainer
Penalty: $300 fine
Violation: Lack of documentation proving pre-race examination
Explainer: Trainer Daniel Dunham is fined $300 for violation of California Horse Racing Board rule #1581.1 (b)(1) (Entries – Documentation not provided that Mr. Dunham's attending veterinarian conducted an examination 72 hours preceding entry to the race).

Track: Santa Anita
Date: 05/06/2022
Licensee: Ryan Curatolo, jockey
Penalty: Four-day suspension
Violation: Careless riding (reinstatement of original ruling)
Explainer: Having received notice from the California Horse Racing Board that the appeal of LATS Ruling #90 (April 15, 2022) has been withdrawn, the original ruling is reinstated. Jockey Ryan Curatolo is suspended for 4 racing days (May 13, 14, 15 & 20, 2022). Pursuant to California Horse Racing Board Rule #1766 (Designated Races), the term of suspension shall not prohibit participation in designated races.

Track: Santa Anita
Date: 05/07/2022
Licensee: Emily Ellingwood, jockey
Penalty: $500 fine
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: Jockey Emily Ellingwood is fined $500 for violation of California Horse Racing Board rule #1688(b)(8)(d) (Use of Riding Crop–more than six times) during the third race at Santa Anita Park on May 6, 2022.

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

Track: Keeneland
Date: 04/24/2022
Licensee: Gerardo Corrales, jockey
Penalty: $500
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: After a hearing before the Board of Stewards, Gerardo Corrales, who rode Cool Rags in the third race at Keeneland on April 24, 2022 is hereby fined $500 for his improper use of the crop by exceeding the allowable use in the overhand manner (2nd offense).

Track: Keeneland
Date: 04/27/2022
Licensee: Declan Cannon
Penalty: Three-day suspension
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: After a hearing before the Board of Stewards, Declan Cannon, who rode Hometown Hero in the first race at Keeneland on Apr. 24, 2022 was found to have violated the crop regulation. This being his first offense, Mr. Cannon was given the option and chose to serve a suspension. Declan Cannon is hereby suspended 3 racing days, April 30, May 3, and May 4, 2022 for his improper use of the crop by exceeding the allowable use in the overhand manner.

Track: Keeneland
Date: 04/27/2022
Licensee: Tyler Gaffalione
Penalty: $500 fine
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: After a hearing before the Board of Stewards, Tyler Gaffalione, who rode Official Business in the first race at Keeneland on Apr. 24, 2022 was found to have violated the crop regulation. This being his first offense, Mr. Gaffalione was given the option and chose to pay a fine. Tyler Gaffalione is hereby fined $500 for his improper use of the riding crop by exceeding the allowable use in the overhand manner.

Track: Keeneland
Date: 04/27/2022
Licensee: Gregory Romero, jockey
Penalty: $500
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: After a hearing before the Board of Stewards, Gregory Romero, who rode Danzel in the third race at Keeneland on April 23, 2022 is hereby fined $500 for his improper use of the crop by exceeding the allowable use in the overhand manner (2nd offense).

Track: Keeneland
Date: 04/27/2022
Licensee: Gregory Romero, jockey
Penalty: Four-day suspension
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: After a hearing before the Board of Stewards, Gregory Romero, who rode Memphis Prayer in the second race at Keeneland on Apr. 24, 2022 was found to have violated the crop regulation (3rd offense). Gregory Romero is hereby suspended 4 racing days, May 11-14, 2022 (inclusive) for his improper use of the crop by exceeding the allowable use in the overhand manner.

Track: Keeneland
Date: 04/29/2022
Licensee: Johan Rosado, jockey
Penalty: $500 fine
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: After being represented at a hearing before the Board of Stewards, Johan Rosado, who rode Fortune's Fool in the third race at Keeneland on Apr. 27, 2022 was found to have violated the crop regulation. This being his first offense, Mr. Rosado was given the option and chose to pay a fine. Declan Cannon is hereby fined $500 for his improper use of the crop by exceeding the allowable use in the overhand manner.

Track: Churchill Downs
Date: 05/02/2022
Licensee: Joseph Rocco Jr.
Penalty: $500 fine
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: After being represented at a hearing before the Board of Stewards, Joseph Rocco Jr., who rode Thundering Crowd in the eighth race at Churchill Downs on Apr. 28, 2022 was found to have violated the crop regulation (2nd offense). Joseph Rocco Jr. is hereby fined $500 for his improper use of the crop by exceeding the allowable use in the overhand manner.

Track: Churchill Downs
Date: 05/04/2022
Licensee: Rene Diaz, jockey
Penalty: $500 fine
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: After a hearing before the Board of Stewards, Rene Diaz, who rode Formal Order in the first race at Churchill Downs on Apr. 30, 2022 was found to have violated the crop regulation (2nd offense). Rene Diaz is hereby fined $500 for his improper use of the crop by exceeding the allowable use in the overhand manner.

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