Stewards | Horse Racing Free Tips

NYSGC: No Action Will Be Taken On Owner’s Appeal Of Remsen Finish

Owner Jeff Drown filed a protest with the New York State Gaming Commission over the finish of the Grade 2 Remsen Stakes on Dec. 4, 2021 at Aqueduct, in which his horse Zandon was beaten a nose by Mo Donegal. Stewards held an inquiry into the finish, looking at contact between the first and second-place finishers in the stretch run, but they ultimately upheld the original order of finish.

This week, a the NYSGC's communications director Brad Maione told bloodhorse.com that the commission will not take action on the protest, since there is no way to overturn the stewards' decision.

“The Remsen was declared official by the stewards. There is no process for appeal once the race is declared final by the stewards,” Maione said.

According to the Equibase chart notes of the race, second-place finisher Zandon “rallied to the lead in upper stretch, lost the advantage to the winner [Mo Donegal] before the eighth pole, dug in gamely on the inside in the final furlong, had the winner's rider [Irad Ortiz, Jr.] attempt to intimidate him late then bumped approaching the wire and just missed in a determined effort.”

Jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. was subsequently suspended 30 days for an incident that occurred on Friday, Dec. 3 at Aqueduct.

Herbuveaux, Parker Named ’21 Pete Pedersen Award Winners

John Herbuveaux and Daryl E. Parker were recognized as the 2021 Pete Pedersen Award by the Racing Officials Accreditation Program (ROAP) at the University of Arizona Race Track Industry Program's Global Symposium on Racing and Gaming Awards Luncheon in Tucson, Arizona Tuesday. The award is presented to stewards who have demonstrated professional excellence, integrity, and benevolent consideration in the performance of their duties. Contributions of time and expertise to the horse racing industry on the local and national levels are also significant factors in the selection of Pedersen award winners.

The award is named in honor of Pete Pedersen, the nationally recognized California steward and accomplished journalist who set a standard of excellence.

Herbuveaux, accredited by ROAP in 1993, served as a racing official in New Mexico, Louisiana, Idaho, Arizona, Canada, Washington and California. He has also held the position of racing secretary, announcer and director of racing. He served as a steward in California at a number of tracks, including Santa Anita and Del Mar.

Parker, who will be awarded the honor posthumously, was the first African American to serve as a steward in U.S. racing history. Beginning in 1986, he was a steward in Michigan, in addition to all three Ohio tracks. The former exercise rider and jockey agent also holds the distinction of being the second Black racing official in the country while at Fairmount Park and Cahokia Downs.

The award for Parker will be presented to his son, DeShawn, at a later date in a separate ceremony in Ohio.

The Pete Pedersen Award special selection committee is composed of five members: Hall of Fame jockey Pat Day; former The Jockey Club steward and NYRA track veterinarian Dr. Ted Hill; Dan Metzger, TOBA president; Scott Wells, president of Remington Park and Lone Star Park; and former leading trainer and ROAP accredited steward Hal Wiggins.

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Trainer Simon Callaghan Suspended 15 Days, Fined $5,000 For Shock Wave Violation

Santa Anita stewards have issued a 15-day suspension and $5,000 fine to trainer Simon Callaghan, reports bloodhorse.com, for violating the California Horse Racing Board's policy for extra corporeal shock wave therapy. Stewards minutes indicate that Callaghan trainee Federal Bureau worked four furlongs on May 22, 2021, even though the horse had received three shock wave treatments on May 5, 12, and 19.

Federal Bureau is an unraced 3-year-old by Medaglia d'Oro, who sold for $1.2 million at the 2019 Keeneland September Yearling sale. He was nominated to the Triple Crown this year with Qatar Racing and Stonestreet Stable listed as owners.

Following a spate of equine fatalities at Santa Anita Park in 2019, the CHRB changed its shock wave policy in early 2020. Shock wave is used to increase blood flow and speed healing, but can have analgesic effects. Horses are now not allowed to resume workouts or racing within 30 days of a shock wave treatment; previously, that spacing had been 10 days.

Callaghan's suspension is scheduled to run from Nov. 14 through 28, and the CHRB has denied his application for a stay of suspension. Attorney Darrell Vienna told bloodhorse.com Callaghan plans to appeal.

Lages Named State Steward At Oaklawn; Brasher Association Steward

The Arkansas Racing Commission has appointed longtime racing official and state steward James Lages to the position of state steward for the 2021-2022 Oaklawn live season, which runs Friday, Dec. 3, 2021 to Sunday, May 8, 2022 in Hot Springs, Ark. Lages replaces Bernie Hettel, who served as state steward the last two Oaklawn meets.

“We are excited to have James Lages as the state steward of Arkansas,” Arkansas Racing Commission chairman Alex Lieblong said. “He brings a wealth of experience to the position, including having the insight only a former rider could have. His knowledge will be invaluable as we continue to work with Oaklawn to make Arkansas one of the strongest racing jurisdictions in the country.”

Lages is currently serving as state steward at Indiana Grand. He has also held the state steward position at Gulfstream Park, Pompano-Isle Casino, Colonial Downs, Monmouth Park, Delaware Park, Calder Racecourse and Fairmount Park. Lages began his career in racing as a multiple-stakes winning jockey and has held various positions as a racing official, including Patrol Judge, Paddock Judge and Claims Clerk. He was the Clerk of Scales at Monmouth Park for 11 seasons.

“I'm excited, it's an honor to be appointed State Steward of Arkansas,” Lages said. “Oaklawn has a rich racing history, great horsemen and a great future. I've already had a really warm welcome. I'm looking forward to the meet.”

Oaklawn has named longtime steward Rick Brasher as association steward for the upcoming live meet.

“Oaklawn is very happy to have Rick Brasher as our association steward,” vice president of racing Jason Milligan said. “He has a lot of experience, comes highly recommended and is well-respected by many of our horsemen that have worked with him at other tracks. As a former trainer, he brings a lot of valuable knowledge to the stewards' stand.”

Brasher, a Texas native, is currently a state steward in Oklahoma, working primarily at Will Rogers Downs, where he is chief steward, and Fair Meadows. He has also been a state steward in Texas, working at Sam Houston, Retama and Lone Star Park, in Louisiana at Evangeline Downs and in Wyoming at Wyoming Downs. He has been an association steward at Fair Grounds. Prior to his 20-year career as a steward, he was a trainer and worked as a starter at Retama.

“It's just an honor to work at Oaklawn,” Brasher said. “I'm really looking forward to it. When I was a trainer, it was always my favorite place to race. I have a lot of fond memories there and I'm looking forward to getting back to Hot Springs.”

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