Claiming Period to Cash Tickets in NJ Extended

The claiming period for pari-mutuel tickets and vouchers has been extended from six months to 12 months in the state of New Jersey thanks to a bill enacted by the New Jersey State Legislature and signed into law by Governor Phil Murphy May 11. “We appreciate the continued support that Gov. Murphy and our state legislators have shown for horse racing throughout the state,” said Dennis Drazin, Chairman and CEO of Darby Development, LLC, the operators of Monmouth Park. “This legislation provides a much-need grace period for people who were unable to cash winning tickets or vouchers due to the impact of COVID-19.” The legislation stipulates that, “winning outstanding pari-mutuel tickets purchased from the beginning of Sept. 16, 2019 and ending on the date of the end of the Public Health Emergency declared by the Governor in Executive Order No. 103 of 2020 and as extended shall be eligible to be claimed and shall be payable during the period ending one year following the end of the Public Health Emergency.”

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New Jersey Extends Deadline For Uncashed Pari-Mutuel Tickets

Bettors who were unable to cash outstanding pari-mutuel tickets and vouchers last year due to the COVID-19 health crisis now have additional time to do so under a bill enacted by the New Jersey State Legislature.

Bill S3198, which was signed into law by Gov. Phil Murphy, went into effect on May 11. It extends the claiming period for pari-mutuel wagering tickets and vouchers from six months to 12 months from the date of issuance or sale.

The bill was sponsored by State Senators Richard J. Codey and Vin Gopal and Assemblymen Ronald S. Dancer and Ralph R. Caputo.

“We appreciate the continued support that Gov. Murphy and our state legislators have shown for horse racing throughout the state,” said Dennis Drazin, Chairman and CEO of Darby Development, LLC, the operators of Monmouth Park. “This legislation provides a much-needed grace period for people who were unable to cash winning tickets or vouchers due to the impact of COVID-19.”

According to the legislation “winning outstanding pari-mutuel tickets purchased from the beginning of Sept. 16, 2019 and ending on the date of the end of the Public Health Emergency declared by the Governor in Executive Order No. 103 of 2020 and as extended shall be eligible to be claimed and shall be payable during the period ending one year following the end of the Public Health Emergency.”

The extension covers pari-mutuel tickets and vouchers purchased at racetracks, off-track wagering facilities and casino simulcasting facilities throughout the state.

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Go East Young Man: Heriberto Figueroa Moving Tack To Monmouth Park

While there's been a lot of talk about jockeys who say they won't be riding at New Jersey's Monmouth Park this summer because of the strict riding crop rules put in place by the state's racing commission, agent John Salamone is eager to report that he will be representing 21-year-old Heriberto Figueroa, who is moving his tack from Southern California to the Jersey Shore for the meet that begins May 28.

“It's a great opportunity to take a kid who has a bright future,” said Salamone, who will also represent Jomar Torres for the third consecutive year at Monmouth while handling Chantal Sutherland's book at Gulfstream Park in South Florida. “He can sit on a horse and ride,” Salamone added, “and he doesn't use the whip that much.”

New Jersey's rule, the strictest in North America, prohibits use of the whip for anything other than safety purposes.

Salamone said he was contacted by jockey Jose Ortiz, who got to know Figueroa at Puerto Rico's Escuela Vocacional Hipica riding school, where Jose and brother Irad Ortiz Jr. graduated, along with many other top riders.

“He called me and said he wanted to move East,” Ortiz said of Figueroa. “I know the kids from the jockey school, and I think he can ride a little bit. Heriberto has a great work ethic. He's a very nice, humble person and I know he's going to work as hard as he can. Monmouth is a great meet for him to ride.”

Figueroa launched his career in his native Puerto Rico, then rode during the Gulfstream Park Championship Meet in 2018 before heading to California, where he made an immediate impact, teaming up frequently with leading trainer Peter Miller. He finished his first full year as an apprentice with 103 wins from 582 mounts and finished in the top three in 47% of his races.

Figueroa won stakes for Miller and trainer Richard Baltas, who sent the jockey to Ohio last year to win the $200,000 Steel Valley Sprint Stakes aboard Vertical Threat.

“He's a great kid who always works hard and has a good attitude,” Miller said of Figueroa. “We won quite a few races together and I think he has a lot of talent.”

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New Jersey Commission Bans Aparna Battula 2 1/2 Years, Issues $7,500 Fine

Trainer Aparna Battula has had her license suspended 2 1/2 years and been fined $7,500 dollars by the New Jersey Racing Commission following a case in which investigators confiscated 83 injectable medication vials and 36 needles from her Monmouth Park tack room on July 29, 2019, reports the Thoroughbred Daily News.

Stewards had originally voted to impose a nine-year suspension with an $18,500 fine, but Battula appealed, and an administrative law judge (ALJ) later recommended a ban of two years with a $6,500 fine.

“Although the final decision accepts most of the ALJ's findings and conclusions, it rejects the ALJ's use of the criminal merger doctrine and her recommended penalties,” said NJRC chair Pamela Clyne at Wednesday's meeting. “The final decision finds that the appropriate penalties for possession of the vials, needles and drugs are a one-year and six-month suspension and a $5,000 fine.

“The final decision also adopts the ALJ's imposition of a one-year suspension and a $2,500 fine for injecting the horse at Monmouth Park in July 2019. Considering the trainer's penalty history, which includes two other drug positives, the final decision concludes that the appropriate penalties in this matter are suspensions totaling two years and six months and fines totaling $7,500. Finally, the final decision also clarifies that the rule prohibits possession of the injectable bottles as well as possession of the prohibited drugs that may be in them.”

Read more at the Thoroughbred Daily News.

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