santa anita | Horse Racing Free Tips

The Week in Review: Do We Really Need So Many Stakes Races?

They could only scrape together a field of four for Saturday's GII Mother Goose S. at Belmont Park, run two weeks after they had a field of four in the GI Acorn S. Saturday's third race at Belmont fared no better. Only four went in the Wild Applause S., and three of them were trained by Chad Brown.

And it isn't just a NYRA problem. The number of stakes run across the country that have attracted five horses or fewer is alarming. Since May 7, GI Kentucky Derby Day, there have been 21 graded or listed races that had five-horse fields, a list that includes some of the biggest races on the calendar, like the GI Hill 'n' Dale Metropolitan H., the GI Ogden Phipps S., the GI Hollywood Gold Cup S. Six more graded stakes consisted of just four runners.

When it comes to the bettors, there are way too many unappetizing betting races, $3.60 winners and $8.20 exactas. When it comes to the breeding industry and the importance of the graded stakes system, it's become too easy for a horse to pick up black type. To get a filly or mare to finish among the top three in graded company is no longer the accomplishment it used to be.

The problem is obvious. There aren't enough horses and there are too many stakes races.

In 2007, there were 474 graded stakes and 107 Grade I's. This year, there will be 449 graded races and 101 Grade I's. Over a 15-year period, the number of graded stakes has declined by 5.3% and the number of Grade I races has fallen by just 5.6% The numbers haven't come close to what has happened with the foal crop over that same period of time. The registered foal crop in 2007 was 34,358. In 2022, it will be about 17,000. That's a decline of more than 50%.

There's also the added problem of how infrequently horses run. In 2007, the average number of starts per horse was 6.2. Last year, the number was down to 5.26.

That means that the American Graded Stakes Committee hasn't done it's job. The decline in the number of graded stakes should at least somewhat resemble the decline in the foal crop. That hasn't happened. The graded stakes committee needs to show the sport some tough love and start taking a hacksaw to the list of graded stakes. Otherwise, it risks losing its credibility.

When it comes to the number of total races run, the sport has adjusted to meet the realities of the situation. In 2007, 51,304 races were run in the U.S. By last year, the number was down to 33,567, a decline of 34.6%. But when it comes to the number of stakes races offered, the sport has stubbornly stuck to the status quo. The problem won't go away until there is a meaningful reduction in the number of stakes races offered.

The 3-year-old filly division is a perfect example. Let's start with the Acorn, run June 11. Two weeks later, NYRA ran the Mother Goose, a recipe for disaster considering how close the Acorn and Mother Goose were to one another on the calender. But there's more. The GIII Delaware Oaks will be run July 2. The next day, Monmouth will run the Boiling Springs S., a $100,000 race for 3-year-old fillies. On July 9, they'll run the GIII Iowa Oaks at Prairie Meadows and the GIII Indiana Oaks at Horseshoe Indianapolis.

Even if trainers wanted to stick to the NYRA races, there are just too many. After the Acorn and the Mother Goose, you will have the GI Coaching Club American Oaks July 23 and the GI Alabama S. Aug. 20, both at Saratoga. That's four graded stakes races for 3-year-old fillies run on the same circuit in a span of 70 days.

The only way to fix this is for some stakes races to go away. Yes, the Mother Goose is a prestigious race that has been around since 1957 and has been won by horses like Serena's Song, Ruffian and Shuvee. But it's no longer a Grade I and the purse is $250,000, modest by today's standards. Despite the four-horse field, the Acorn is the better race. It's a Grade I and the purse is $500,000. You don't need both, and the answer is to keep the Acorn, extend it to a mile-and-an-eighth, and say goodbye to the Mother Goose.

There are at least a half dozen more stakes on the NYRA schedule that could be done away with. Maybe more. Does Monmouth really need the Boiling Springs? Should we have both an Indiana and an Iowa Oaks, run on the same day? The Hollywood Gold Cup isn't the race it used to be, when it was won by the likes of Swaps, Native Diver, Affirmed and Cigar. This year's winner, There Goes Harvard (Will Take Charge), had never so much as run in a graded stakes before capturing the mile-and-a-quarter event at Santa Anita. Is this race really necessary anymore?

To get rid of races like that would be a tough pill to swallow. Stakes races represent the highest level of the sport and what track doesn't want to be able to brag that it has an important group of these races? In some sense, they probably mean more to smaller tracks likes Prairie Meadows and Horseshoe Indianapolis than they do to a NYRA or Santa Anita because they don't get many opportunities to put on cards that include major races.

Then again, something needs to be done. You could start by requiring that the racing secretaries from all the major tracks assemble each year, go over their proposed schedules and make some sort of effort to work together. There have to be compromises that can be made. But you also have to cut down on the number of stakes available. It doesn't have to be a mass reduction in the number of races, maybe, as a starting point, a race here and there.

Until then, there will be only more and more four and five-horse fields in some of the sport's biggest races. This problem is not going to go away on its own.

Beverly Park Does It Again

Iron horse Beverly Park (Munnings) won a starter allowance June 18 at Churchill Downs. It was his 17th start of the year and his eighth win. He's earned $150,244. For owner-trainer Norman (Lynn) Cash, he's run at nine different tracks this year and has won at six. All but two of his starts have come in starter allowance races.

He's on pace to make 34 starts this year and to win 16 races. By way of comparison, the horse with the most wins in 2021 visited the winner's circle 12 times. The horse with the most starts went to the post 27 times.

Cash, who takes on no outside owners, claimed Beverly Park for $12,500 last August. He's since won 15 times and started 25 times.

The post The Week in Review: Do We Really Need So Many Stakes Races? appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus Joins Writers’ Room

With the July 1 implementation date for the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act rapidly approaching, there has been a feverish push to get tens of thousands of horsemen and horses registered in time as well as an education effort to get the industry's stakeholders up to speed on the Act's myriad rules and regulations. Tuesday, Lisa Lazarus, the CEO of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority–the governing body tasked with implementing HISA–joined the TDN Writers' Room presented by Keeneland as the Green Group Guest of the Week to provide updates on the registration drive, the possibility of scratches of non-registered horses post-July 1, where HISA stands with its drug enforcement partnership and more.

“From my metrics, I feel like [registration] is going very well right now,” Lazarus said. “We have about 26,000 persons plus horses registered, and the trajectory of registrations is on a very steep incline. We're doing everything possible to answer questions and make sure people have the tools to get registered. We've heard some concerns from people that, if they register, they're giving up a lot of rights. They don't know what the drug and medication control program is going to look like. So we're going to be rolling out a feature that allows people to unregister very easily at any time, should they ultimately change their mind. But my view is that once we get going on July 1, everyone's going to realize that this program is actually supportive, that it's not going to be punitive.”

Asked about the drug enforcement section of the law, which is scheduled to go into effect Jan. 1, 2023, Lazarus said, “That's very close to getting up and running. In early May, we appointed the Center for Drug-Free Sport to be the enforcement agency, and they've created an entity called the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit, which essentially has five pillars: testing, lab accreditation, education, science and prosecutions/investigations. We're working on equipping all of these pillars to be ready to go Jan. 1. We have some top people and experts in their field involved, and this is important–the anti-doping and medication control rules are posted on our website now for public comment. So if anybody wants to have their say or wants to be heard on any particular issue, please make sure to comment before the end of the month.”

The conversation turned to the Texas Racing Commission, which has said it will stop the interstate importing and exporting of simulcast signals in order to avoid the umbrella of HISA's regulation.

“As you might have read, I went down to Texas to meet with the Texas Racing Commission and their executive director, Amy Cook, as did my general counsel, John Roach. We tried really hard to find a solution. Ultimately, Texas's view is that, given the way their racing commission's regulations are written and structured, they don't have the authority to allow another regulator to come in and regulate any portion of horse racing. Obviously, we believe that's not consistent with the federal law and what Congress ordered. In Texas right now, the only [Thoroughbred] track running is Lone Star and they only run until July 23. So it's really 22 days that's at issue, and I had really hoped we could reach a resolution, however we'll then have from the end of July to Jan. 1 to try to find a way forward with Texas.”

Elsewhere on the show, which is also sponsored by Coolmore, Lane's End, the Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders, XBTV, West Point Thoroughbreds and Legacy Bloodstock, the writers reacted to an eventful week at Royal Ascot for American connections, lauded Santa Anita for its continued improvements in safety and previewed the career debut of the show's filly namesake. Click here to watch the show; click here for the audio-only version or find it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

The post HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus Joins Writers’ Room appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Weekly Rulings: June 14-June 20

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: 06/17/2022
Licensee: Rolf Gustafsson, owner/assistant
Penalty: N/A
Violation: Restoration of good standing
Explainer: Owner/Asst. Trainer Rolf Gustafsson, having complied with the provisions of California Horse Racing Board rule #1876 (Financial Responsibility – $2,380.00 to Trainer Jorge Periban) is restored to good standing. LATS #175 ruling issued at Santa Anita Park on May 27, 2017, is set aside.

Track: Santa Anita
Date: 06/18/2022
Licensee: Ruben Alvarado, trainer
Penalty: $400
Violation: Late registration of Lasix
Explainer: Trainer Ruben Alvarado is fined $400 for violation of California Horse Racing Board rule #1845 (Authorized Bleeder Medication – late registration) of Apprehend in the eighth race on June 17, 2022, at Santa Anita Park.

Track: Santa Anita
Date: 06/18/2022
Licensee: Juan Hernandez, jockey
Penalty: $500
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: Jockey Juan Hernandez is fined $500.00 for violation of California Horse Racing Board rule #1688(b)(8)(d) (Use of Riding Crop – more than six times) during the eighth race at Santa Anita Park on June 17, 2022.

Track: Santa Anita
Date: 06/18/2022
Licensee: Ryan Curatolo, jockey
Penalty: $500 fine
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: Jockey Ryan Curatolo is fined $500.00 for violation of California Horse Racing Board rule #1688(b)(8)(d) (Use of Riding Crop – more than six times) during the eighth race at Santa Anita Park on June 17, 2022.

Track: Santa Anita
Date: 06/19/2022
Licensee: John Byrd, veterinarian
Penalty: $400 fine
Violation: Failure to submit Lasix documentation
Explainer: Veterinarian John Byrd is fined $400 for violation of California Horse Racing Board rule #1845 (Authorized Bleeder Medication – Failed to submit Lasix Documentation to the Receiving Barn) of Classic Rewind in the fifth race on June 18, 2022, at Santa Anita Park.

NEW YORK
Track: Belmont Park
Date: 06/16/2022
Licensee: Rodolfo Rodriguez, jockey agent
Penalty: $500 fine
Violation: failure to tend to business in a professional manner
Explainer: Agent Mr. Rodolfo Rodriguez is hereby fined the sum of five hundred ($500.00) dollars for failing to tend to business in a professional manner.

Track: Belmont Park
Date: 06/16/2022
Licensee: George Weaver, owner-trainer
Penalty: $500 fine
Violation: Unreported shockwave treatment
Explainer: Mr. George Weaver is hereby fined the sum of five hundred ($500.00) dollars for failing to report a shockwave treatment.

Track: Belmont Park
Date: 06/17/2022
Licensee: Jeffrey Englehart, trainer
Penalty: Ten-day suspension, $1,000 fine
Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: Having received a report from the NYS Gaming Commission Equine Drug Testing Laboratory of the finding of Phenylbutazone in the post-race sample taken from Horse “Profusion” (#6) which raced in the 4th race and finished 6th on April 8th 2022. Trainer of record Mr. Jeffrey Englehart having been notified of the post race positive and having waived his right to appeal is hereby fined the sum of one thousand ($1,000) dollars and suspended ten Calendar days effective Wednesday June 22nd, through Friday July 1st 2022, inclusive.

Furthermore, the Stewards order horse “Profusion” disqualified from any part of the purse and the purse redistributed as follows:

(#5) Casalsa
(#1) Truebelieve
(#3) Brockmoninoff
(#4) Conformist
(#7) Exxtop

Ordered that during your period of suspension, you shall not directly or indirectly participate in New York State pari-mutuel horse racing. You are denied the privilages and use of the grounds of all racetracks, you are forbidden to participate in any share of purses or other payment. Every horse is denied the privilages of the grounds and shall not participate in pari-mutuel racing in New York State, that (a) is owned or trained by you, or by any individuals who serves as your agent or employee during your suspension: or (b) for which you during your suspension are directly or indirectly with training, including any arrangements to care for, train, enter, race, invoice, collect fees or other payments, manage funds, employ or insure workers, provide advise or other information or otherwise assist with any aspect of the training of such horses.

Track: Belmont Park
Date: 06/18/2022
Licensee: Luis Saez, jockey
Penalty: $1,500 fine
Violation: Failure to conduct business in a proper manner
Explainer: Mr. Luis Saez is hereby fined the sum of one thousand five hundred ($1,500) dollars for failing to conduct business in a proper manner.

KENTUCKY
Most of the following rulings were not posted on the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission website in time for inclusion over the past few weeks.

Track: Churchill Downs
Date: 05/22/2022
Licensee: Colby Hernandez, jockey
Penalty: $500 fine
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: After waiving his right to a hearing before the Board of Stewards, Colby Hernandez, who rode Reigning Spirit in the eleventh race at Churchill Downs on May 21, 2022 was found to have violated the crop regulation (2nd offense). Colby Hernandez is hereby fined $500 for his improper use of the crop by exceeding the allowable use in the overhand manner.

Track: Churchill Downs
strong>Date: 05/22/2022
Licensee: Joseph Rocco Jr., jockey
Penalty: $1,000 fine
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: After waiving his right to a hearing before the Board of Stewards, Joseph Rocco Jr., who rode On the Rise in the seventh race at Churchill Downs on May 21, 2022 was found to have violated the crop regulation (4th offense). Joseph Rocco Jr. is hereby fined $1,000 for his improper use of the crop by exceeding the allowable use in the overhand manner.

Track: Churchill Downs
Date: 05/22/2022
Licensee: Corey Lanerie, jockey
Penalty: $500 fine
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: After a hearing before the Board of Stewards, Corey Lanerie, who rode Bama Breeze in the eleventh race at Churchill Downs on May 21, 2022 was found to have violated the crop regulation. This being his first offense, Mr. Lanerie was given the option and chose to pay a fine. Corey Lanerie is hereby fined $500 for his improper use of the crop by exceeding the allowable use in the overhand manner.

Track: Churchill Downs
Date: 05/26/2022
Licensee: Santo Sanjur, jockey
Penalty: $500 fine
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: After a hearing before the Board of Stewards, Santo Sanjur, who rode Cloud Without Reim in the fourth race at Churchill Downs on May 22, 2022 was found to have violated the crop regulation. This being his first offense, Mr. Sanjur was given the option and chose to pay a fine. Santo Sanjur is hereby fined $500 for his improper use of the crop by exceeding the allowable use in the overhand manner.

Track: Churchill Downs
Date: 05/26/2022
Licensee: Chris Landeros, jockey
Penalty: $500 fine
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: After waiving his right to a hearing before the Board of Stewards, Chris Landeros, who rode Kunshan Bridge in the ninth race at Churchill Downs on May 22, 2022 was found to have violated the crop regulation (2nd offense). Chris Landeros is hereby fined $500 for his improper use of the crop by exceeding the allowable use in the overhand manner.

Track: Churchill Downs
Date: 05/26/2022
Licensee: Joe Talamo, jockey
Penalty: $500 fine
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: After waiving his right to a hearing before the Board of Stewards, Joe Talamo, who rode Tango Charlie in the seventh race at Churchill Downs on May 22, 2022 was found to have violated the crop regulation (3rd offense). Joe Talamo is hereby fined $500 for his improper use of the crop by exceeding the allowable use in the overhand manner.

Track: Churchill Downs
Date: 05/28/2022
Licensee: Tyler Gaffalione, jockey
Penalty: $500 fine
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: After waiving his right to a hearing before the Board of Stewards, Tyler Gaffalione, who rode Towhead in the third race at Churchill Downs on May 26, 2022 was found to have violated the crop regulation (2nd offense). Tyler Gaffalione is hereby fined $500 for his improper use of the crop by exceeding the allowable use in the overhand manner.

Track: Churchill Downs
Date: 05/28/2022
Licensee: Tiago Pereira, jockey
Penalty: Three-day suspension
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: After a hearing before the Board of Stewards, Tiago Pereira, who rode champagne Sister in the fourth race at Churchill Downs on May 26, 2022 was found to have violated the crop regulation. This being his first offense, Mr. Pereira was given the option and chose to serve a suspension. Tiago Pereira is hereby suspended 3 racing days, May 30, June 2 and June 3, 2022 for his improper use of the crop by exceeding the allowable use in the overhand manner.

Track: Churchill Downs
Date: 06/02/2022
Licensee: Tyler Gaffalione, jockey
Penalty: $500 fine
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: After waiving his right to a hearing before the Board of Stewards, Tyler Gaffalione, who rode Gate Runner in the fourth race at Churchill Downs on May 30, 2022 was found to have violated the crop regulation (3rd offense). Tyler Gaffalione is hereby fined $500 for his improper use of the crop by exceeding the allowable use in the overhand manner.

Track: Churchill Downs
Date: 06/02/2022
Licensee: Mario Rodriguez, exercise rider
Penalty: Revoked license
Violation: Falsified license application
Explainer: The license of Mario Rodriguez is hereby revoked by the Board of Stewards. Mr. Rodriguez falsified his license application, failing to reveal his current suspension in Delaware, in addition to other disciplinary actions in Arkansas.

Track: Churchill Downs
Date: 06/04/2022
Licensee: Martin Garcia, jockey
Penalty: $500 fine
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: After waiving his right to a hearing before the Board of Stewards, Martin Garcia, who rode Heartyconstitution in the eighth race at Churchill Downs on June 3, 2022 was found to have violated the crop regulation (2nd offense). Martin Garcia is hereby fined $500 for his improper use of the crop by exceeding the allowable use in the overhand manner.

Track: Churchill Downs
Date: 06/04/2022
Licensee: Reyluis Gutierrez, jockey
Penalty: $500 fine
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: After a hearing before the Board of Stewards, Reyluis Gutierrez, who rode Teewinot Pass in the second race at Churchill Downs on June 3, 2022 was found to have violated the crop regulation (2nd offense). Reyluis Gutierrez is hereby fined $500 for his improper use of the crop by exceeding the allowable use in the overhand manner.

Track: Churchill Downs
Date: 06/04/2022
Licensee: Rene Diaz, jockey
Penalty: $1,000 fine
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: After waiving his right to a hearing before the Board of Stewards, Rene Diaz who rode Ferryboat in the second race at Churchill Downs on June 3, 2022 was found to have violated the crop regulation (4th offense). Rene Diaz is hereby fined $1,000 for his improper use of the crop by exceeding the allowable use in the overhand manner.

Track: Churchill Downs
Date: 06/05/2022
Licensee: Francisco Arrieta, jockey
Penalty: $500 fine
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: After failing to appear at a hearing before the Board of Stewards, Francisco Arrieta, who rode She's All Wolfe in the seventh race at Churchill Downs on June 4, 2022 was found to have violated the crop regulation. This being his first offense, Mr. Arrieta was given the option and chose to pay a fine. Francisco Arrieta is hereby fined $500 for his improper use of the crop by exceeding the allowable use in the overhand manner.

Track: Churchill Downs
Date: 06/05/2022
Licensee: Luis Saez, jockey
Penalty: $500 fine
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: After waiving his right to a hearing before the Board of Stewards, Luis Saez, who rode Pauline's Pearl in the seventh race at Churchill Downs on June 4, 2022 was found to have violated the crop regulation. This being his first offense, Mr. Saez was given the option and chose to pay a fine. Luis Saez is hereby fined $500 for his improper use of the crop by exceeding the allowable use in the overhand manner.

Track: Churchill Downs
Date: 06/05/2022
Licensee: John Velazquez, jockey
Penalty: $500 fine
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: After a hearing before the Board of Stewards, John Velazquez, who rode Admission Office in the eighth race at Churchill Downs on June 4, 2022 was found to have violated the crop regulation. This being his first offense, Mr. Velazquez was given the option and chose to pay a fine. John Velazquez is hereby fined $500 for his improper use of the crop by exceeding the allowable use in the overhand manner.

Track: Churchill Downs
Date: 06/08/2022
Licensee: Ricardo Santana, Jr. jockey
Penalty: $500 fine
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: After a hearing before the Board of Stewards, Ricardo Santana, Jr., who rode Dalika in the ninth race at Churchill Downs on June 5, 2022 was found to have violated the crop regulation. Ricardo Santana, 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: 06/08/2022
Licensee: Nick Bush, owner-exercise rider
Penalty: Suspended license
Violation: Disorderly conduct
Explainer: Nick N. Bush is hereby suspended pending his appearance before the Board of Stewards for his falsification of license application, alleged disorderly conduct, and his formal ejection from Keeneland that occurred on May 27, 2022. During his suspension Mr. Bush is denied the privileges of all facilities under the jurisdiction of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission.

Track: Churchill Downs
Date: 06/10/2022
Licensee: Jack Gilligan, jockey
Penalty: Three-day suspension
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: After a hearing before the Board of Stewards, Jack Gilligan, who rode Waywardness in the eighth race at Churchill Downs on June 8, 2022 was found to have violated the crop regulation (3rd offense). Jack Gilligan is hereby suspended 3 racing days, June 15 through June 17, 2022 (inclusive) for his improper use of the crop by exceeding the allowable use in the overhand manner.

Track: Churchill Downs
Date: 06/10/2022
Licensee: Carlos Villasana, jockey
Penalty: $500 fine
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: After waiving his right to a hearing before the Board of Stewards, Carlos Villasana, who rode North Bay in the sixth race at Churchill Downs on June 8, 2022 was found to have violated the crop regulation. This being his first offense, Mr. Villasana was given the option and chose to pay a fine. Carlos Villasana is hereby fined $500 for his improper use of the crop by exceeding the allowable use in the overhand manner.

Track: Churchill Downs
Date: 06/11/2022
Licensee: Adam Beschizza, jockey
Penalty: $500 fine
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: After a hearing before the Board of Stewards, Adam Beschizza, who rode What A Country in the fourth race at Churchill Downs on June 10, 2022 was found to have violated the crop regulation. This being his first offense, Mr. Beschizza was given the option and chose to pay a fine. Adam Beschizza is hereby fined $500 for his improper use of the crop by exceeding the allowable use in the overhand manner.

Track: Churchill Downs
Date: 06/11/2022
Licensee: Jose Santos Jr., jockey agent
Penalty: $200 fine
Violation: Failure to honor call
Explainer: After waiving his right to a hearing before the Board of Stewards, Jose Santos Jr. is hereby fined $200 for failure to honor the call on Lock Up in the eleventh race at Churchill Downs on June 11, 2022.

Track: Churchill Downs
Date: 06/11/2022
Licensee: Rene Diaz, jockey
Penalty: Three-day suspension
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: After a hearing before the Board of Stewards, Rene Diaz, who rode Amani's Eagle in the fourth race at Churchill Downs on May 10, 2022 was found to have violated the crop regulation (5th offense). Rene Diaz is hereby suspended 3 racing days, June 17 through June 19, 2022 (inclusive) for his improper use of the crop by exceeding the allowable use in the overhand manner.

Track: Churchill Downs
Date: 06/16/2022
Licensee: Rafael Mojica, jockey
Penalty: Three-day suspension
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: After waiving his right to a hearing before the Board of Stewards, Rafael Mojica, who rode Tequilas Ranger in the seventh race at Churchill Downs on June 12, 2022 was found to have violated the crop regulation. This being his first offense, Mr. Mojica was given the option and chose to serve a suspension. Rafael Mojica is hereby suspended 3 racing days, June 24 through June 26, 2022 (inclusive) for his improper use of the crop by exceeding the allowable use in the overhand manner.

Track: Churchill Downs
Date: 06/19/2022
Licensee: Agustin Gomez, jockey
Penalty: Three-day suspension
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: After a hearing before the Board of Stewards, Agustin Gomez, who rode Dot Marie in the fourth race at Churchill Downs on June 17, 2022 was found to have violated the crop regulation. This being his first offense, Mr. Gomez was given the option and chose to serve a suspension. Agustin Gomez is hereby suspended 3 racing days, June 24 through June 26, 2022 (inclusive) for his improper use of the crop by exceeding the allowable use in the overhand manner.

The post Weekly Rulings: June 14-June 20 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

CHRB Issues Complaint Against Richard Baltas

Between April 15 and May 8 this year, 23 horses trained by Richard Baltas were allegedly administered a substance on race-day in violation of the California Horse Racing Board's (CHRB) rules, according to a complaint dated Tuesday, June 21.

The complaint states that surveillance video caught Baltas's employees allegedly administering the substance on the days they were entered to race.

In California, trainers face tight restrictions about what medications and supplements can be given to a horse within 48 hours of a race.

Baltas has been ordered to appear at a hearing at Los Alamitos before the board of stewards on July 1.

“Between the dates of 4/15/2022 to 5/8/2022, 23 horses trained by RICHARD BALTAS were administered a substance on days they were entered into races. Surveillance video captured all administrations by employees of BALTAS's barn. The substance was analyzed by University of California, Davis, who reported the presence of Higenamine and Paenol,” the complaint states.

According to the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), Higenamine is a chemical found in a variety of plants, and can act as an anti-asthmatic to open up airways.

According to USADA, higenamine is becoming more commonly found in dietary supplements for athletes. Paenol is also a plant extract.

Neither are specifically classified by the Association for Racetrack Commissioners International (ARCI) uniform classification guidelines.

TDN reached out to both the CHRB and to Baltas's attorney, Darrell Vienna. Both declined to comment on an open investigation.

A CHRB investigation had been ongoing since May 8, when the Baltas-trained Noble Perfection was a late scratch from the 10^th race at Santa Anita.

At the same time, 1/ST Racing, which operates Santa Anita, banned the trainer from running and working horses at 1/ST-owned facilities. On May 7, the Baltas-trained Speedcuber suffered a sesamoid injury. Two days later, Speedcuber was euthanized.

“We are conducting an investigation into matters concerning trainer Richard Baltas,” 1/ST CEO, Aidan Butler, explained via text message at the time. “Pending completion of that investigation and any final decision based on the results, horses trained by Mr. Baltas are not permitted to enter races at 1/ST Racing venues nor engage in timed works.”

1/ST's prohibition currently remains in place.

According to the complaint, Baltas has similarly been charged with violating rule 1887 (a)—the absolute insurer rule—a total of 23 times.

“The trainer is the absolute insurer of and responsible for the condition of the horses entered in a race, regardless of the acts of third parties, except as otherwise provided in this article. If the chemical or other analysis of urine or blood test samples or other tests, prove positive showing the presence of any prohibited drug substance defined in Rule 1843.1 of this division, the trainer of the horse may be fined, his/her license suspended or revoked, or be ruled off,” the rule states.

“In addition, the owner of the horse, foreman in charge of the horse, groom, and any other person shown to have had the care or attendance of the horse, may be fined, his/her license suspended, revoked, or be ruled off. The owner of a ship-in horse is the joint-absolute insurer of and is equally responsible for the condition of the horse entered in a race,” the rule adds.

Baltas likely faces a potential suspension or fine. In July of 2019, trainer Bill Morey received a 45-day suspension after two horses in his Santa Anita stable were illegally administered a supplement on race-day.

The post CHRB Issues Complaint Against Richard Baltas appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post