Three Jockeys Get $11K in Total Fines for BC Whip Violations

Jockeys Florent Geroux and E. T. Baird were fined $5,000 each by the stewards at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club for exceeding the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB)'s six-strikes-per-race limit on their mounts in Breeders' Cup races.

In addition, jockey Tom Eaves got fined $1,000 for raising his whip above shoulder level prior to a strike.

All of those actions were deemed to be in violation of CHRB Rule 1688, which mandates six-strike, underhand-only, no-more-than-two-hits-in succession whipping with crops that are designed to deliver lower-impact blows.

The two $5,000 fines are the highest levied for whipping infractions at any CHRB-sanctioned track since the more humane whip rules went into effect in the state in 2020.

In fact, they are believed to be the highest fines levied in a Thoroughbred race in North America since the advent of stricter whipping rules in many jurisdictions over the past two years.

Although the rulings posted on the CHRB's website did not specify the exact number of strikes administered by each jockey, Daily Racing Form has quoted the Del Mar stewards as saying Geroux delivered seven hits and Baird nine.

Terry Meyocks, the president and chief executive officer of the Jockeys' Guild, told TDN via phone Monday morning that he believed the fines were excessive and provided another example of why the sport in North America needs a uniform whipping rule.

“Flo [Geroux] has been riding basically the last 14 years. He's a well-respected rider and very accomplished. And then going over [the strike limit by one hit] it's a $5,000 fine? I just think it's over the top,” Meyocks said. “I don't think it's in [anybody's] interest to fine a jock $5,000 for going over the limit once.

“E.T. Baird, he's been riding since 1985, so that's 36 years. He comes to California [to ride occasionally], but still, you just can't change overnight what you've been doing for 36 years. And there's no warning and it's a $5,000 fine?”

With respect to the British-based Eaves, Meyocks said, “You've got to take into consideration European riders. How they ride, it's totally different than the America riders, their style. Going over [the shoulder] and he got fined? It's just [not] common sense here.”

Geroux finished second, beaten 5 1/4 lengths, on Juju's Map (Liam's Map) in the Nov. 5 GI Juvenile Fillies.

Baird rode One Timer (Trappe Shot) to a ninth-place finish in Friday's GII Juvenile Turf Sprint.

Eaves was aboard Glass Slippers (GB) (Dream Ahead), the defending victress in the GI Turf Sprint. On Nov. 6 she finished eighth in that same race. Eaves has ridden Glass Slippers in 19 of the mare's 20 lifetime races dating to 2018.

The penalization part of Rule 1688 reads: “During a race, if a jockey rides in a manner contrary to this rule, the stewards shall impose a minimum fine of $500. A greater fine or a minimum of three suspension days, or both, can be imposed, if, in the opinion of the stewards, the violation is egregious or intentional.”

Geroux took to Twitter Monday morning, writing a post that seemed to indicate he didn't realize the monetary penalty could be so high.

“I would gladly pay the fine the stewards gave me over the weekend if [jockeys] knew what the fines were going to be,” Geroux stated.

But the Del Mar stewards had made it a point to meet with the riders just prior to the Breeders' Cup to explain Rule 1688 and how they would be enforcing it. And according to Meyocks, the stewards did discuss how high the fines could be.

“I wasn't there, but I think [the stewards] were talking there was much more [in dollar amount] that they could go up to. I heard a number that could be a lot higher.”

When TDN asked Meyocks if he believed that discussion constituted fair warning about the potentially high fines, he said, “Yes. But again, the problem I have with the stewards [meeting with jockeys] at any racetrack [is] all the jocks aren't there at the same time…. That's why it's important to have one rule throughout the United States that's in the best interest of the game.”

In a separate ruling, Geroux was fined $100 for missing the Saturday morning film review that included his Friday infraction.

A CHRB spokesperson said that as of Monday afternoon, no appeals had been filed by the three Breeders' Cup jockeys, who have 72 hours from the issuance of the rulings to contest them.

If the CHRB had not altered its whipping penalty structure back in April, those $11,000 in aggregate Breeders' Cup fines could have been even higher.

In an attempt to discourage riders from disregarding the number of times and manner in which a Thoroughbred can be struck with the whip–particularly if the jockey believed the reward of winning a multi-million-dollar stakes outweighed the cost of incurring a smaller fine or suspension–a previously proposed penalty structure called for docking jockeys 50% of purse earnings if they over-whipped while finishing first, second or third in graded stakes.

But when the Guild and other stakeholders argued in March that going after purse money was too harsh, the CHRB revised that aspect before that part of the rule went into effect.

At that March meeting, CHRB vice chair Oscar Gonzales had said that “this rule is [about] making sure that the upcoming Breeders' Cup goes off [more] smoothly than anything else.” He articulated a concern that the combination of two days of

Grade I stakes and too weak a penalty scheme could create “a wild west type of a situation” in which jockeys openly flouted Rule 1688.

In terms of scale, the only recently comparable whip-related sanction in North America was a $5,000 fine and 20-day suspension levied against a New Jersey harness driver back in June.

Joe Bongiorno was penalized for whipping his pacer so indiscriminately during a Meadowlands race that the judges deemed his actions caused a three-horse spill that injured one rival horse so severely it had to be euthanized. In New Jersey, whipping a horse to make it run faster is prohibited in Thoroughbred racing but permitted with restrictions in Standardbred races.

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Breeders’ Cup Notes: International Squad, Turfers Stretch Their Legs

A busy morning on the Del Mar main track with all international horses training except Quick Suzy (IRE) who was not entered Monday for her intended run in the Juvenile Turf Sprint because of a spike in temperature.

Teona (IRE) (Turf) was the first European horse out on track who did some light exercise. She looked in very good form. The next group out were Audarya (FR) (Filly & Mare Turf) and Cachet (IRE) (Juvenile Fillies Turf) who both have taken the eye since landing in Del Mar.

The six Charlie Appleby-trained horses were on the track for the first time since clearing quarantine and exercised under the watchful eye of Appleby.

All horses looked in tremendous condition and reports from the Godolphin team have been very positive on all horses since touching down in California.

Kevin Ryan landed Monday night and was on track to watch both of his Turf Sprint contenders. Glass Slippers (GB) will be bidding to follow up her win in the race last year. She was ridden this morning by race day jockey Tom Eaves.

Eaves said, “It's great to be at the Breeders' Cup again. I sat on Glass Slippers for a light canter and she felt great. I just tracked Emaraaty Ana (GB) for a circuit and it went well. She's a superb filly and I'm really looking forward to the race on Saturday.”

Andrea Atzeni who takes the ride on Emaraaty Ana (GB) on Saturday was trackside to watch him exercise and said, “I'm going to ride Emaraaty Ana (GB) on the track tomorrow. It was great to see him exercise and he looked in great form. I've got a lovely draw on Saturday in gate two so hopefully we get a bit of luck in running and he runs a big race.”

Oisin Murphy, who was recently crowned champion jockey in the UK for the third consecutive year, rode exercise on Marche Lorraine (JPN) (Distaff) just before 7 a.m. They did a strong canter and exercise looked to go well.

Murphy said, “She's a nice horse and felt good. I'm very much looking forward to taking the ride. It's great to be in Del Mar and I've a few nice rides over the weekend. I will ride Hierarchy (IRE) (Juvenile Turf Sprint) tomorrow morning and I'm hoping to have a spin on Mise En Scene (GB) (Juvenile Fillies Turf) at some point before Friday as well.”

Tuesday was the first sighting of the Ballydoyle horses on track having completed their quarantine requirements. Aidan O'Brien has a team of seven horses who went out on track together led by Broome (IRE) (Turf) ridden by Dean Gallagher. The string was accompanied by a pony ridden by Rachel Richardson. They had a trot for a circuit of the track followed by a light canter. Bolshoi Ballet (IRE) (Turf) who sat third in the string looked in particularly good form having some playful bucks during his canter down the backstretch.

Michael Bell was another British trainer to be trackside to watch Great Max (IRE) (Juvenile Turf) have a canter in the hands of regular work rider Joe Bradnam. Great Max (IRE) had a good look around his surroundings during exercise but seemed in good order.

Bell said, “It's tremendous to be back over for the Breeders' Cup. It is an amazing race meeting and I'm delighted to be part of it with Great Max. Joe Bradnam seems happy with him so it's all systems go.”

Connections of Rougir (FR) (Filly & Mare Turf) were trackside having made the trip over from France. The same connections recently won the Champion's Stakes at Ascot and will be hoping for more Grade 1 glory on Saturday. Trainer Cedric Rossi reported his filly to be “in great form.”

Irish trainer Paddy Twomey was overseeing the training of his filly Pearls Galore (FR) (Mile).

Twomey said, “Pearls Galore traveled over well, she's settled into the routine here lovely and enjoying the training. She's cantered on the track the last two days, everything has gone well, we're looking forward to Saturday. Del Mar is a lovely track, the turf will be quick and it'll suit her. She's nibble, neat and tidy and I think she'll deal with the demands of the track very well on the day.”

Matera Sky (Sprint) and Jasper Great (Juvenile) were two of the final international horses to go out for exercise. They had a canter and returned to the quarantine barn via the paddock. They took everything in their stride and looked very relaxed.

TURF

Gufo – Otter Bend Stables has made it to the Turf with its first and only runner, Gufo, a homebred son of Declaration of War colt who never has been worse than third in 13 career starts.

For owner and co-breeder Stephen Cainelli, it is something of a “how do you top this?” situation. Winning the $4 million Turf certainly would elevate the already engaging story to another level and give veteran trainer Christophe Clement his first Breeders' Cup victory.

Gufo earned his berth in the Turf with a victory by a neck over Japan in the Sword Dancer a “Win and You're In” race on Aug. 28 at Saratoga Race Course. In his most recent start, he was third in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic on Oct. 9 at Belmont Park. He shipped from New York to Del Mar Sunday with his three Clement stablemates headed to Breeders' Cup races.

“He had a very good day of training this morning,” said Christophe Lorieul, Clement's assistant for 27 years. “He galloped an easy mile. He was very willing, very forward but within himself. I really liked the way he went this morning.”

Gufo and regular rider Joel Rosario drew post 11 in the 14-horse Turf and is 8-1 on the morning line.

“It's not great, but it's a mile and a half and he's got time to try to tuck him and try to save some ground,” Lorieul said. “Obviously, on the turf going a mile and a half that's what you want. It's not ideal, but that's why Joel Rosario gets paid the big bucks.”

MILE

Mo Forza — Bardy Farm and OG Boss's seven-time graded stakes winner Mo Forza is on a mission to make up for lost opportunities in this year's Breeders' Cup Mile. Last year, on the back of two strong victories in the Del Mar Mile and City of Hope Mile, the son of Uncle Mo was one of the favorites for the Mile before injury derailed the Peter Miller trainee's preparation. This season, the 5yo winner of the 2019 Hollywood Derby returns to the same Del Mar surface as that triumph for his redemption attempt.

“He's training really great,” Miller said. “Today we gave him about a mile and a half jog and schooled him in the gate and then schooled him in the paddock.”

Mo Forza, who eclipsed $1 million in prize money by winning the same two preps this season, drew post six in the 14-horse field and could be making his final career start.

“I like the post,” Miller said. “I think there's plenty of pace and it should string everyone out. We should be sitting midpack, but there's no real strategy other than to hope for a good trip. Del Mar takes a certain kind of horse who can handle the turns, the short stretch and the firm going — and if you have that horse, you're in good shape here.”

Flavien Prat, who has piloted Mo Forza through the four-race win streak he carries into the Mile, returns to the saddle Saturday.

TURF SPRINT

Gear Jockey – Calumet Farm's homebred Gear Jockey, the 5-1 co-second choice for the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint, jogged once around under exercise rider Lyndsay Delello for trainer Rusty Arnold.

“He shipped well with no issues,” Arnold said of Gear Jockey, who arrived at Del Mar late Monday night from Kentucky.

Third as a maiden in the Juvenile Turf at the 2019 Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita, Gear Jockey will break from post 10 under Jose Lezcano in Saturday's race.

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Odds And Ends: Cox Second Trainer To Win Four Cup Races, Quartet Of Jockeys, Trainers Have Breakthrough Wins

Brad Cox became the second trainer in the 37-year history of the Breeders' Cup World Championships to train four winners during a single Championships, matching the feat of Richard Mandella in 2003 at Santa Anita.

Cox won the final two races on Future Stars Friday with Aunt Pearl (IRE) in the Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) and the TVG Juvenile presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (G1) with Essential Quality.

On Saturday, he sent out Knicks Go, who shattered the track record in the Big Ass Fans Dirt Mile (G1), and Monomoy Girl to her second victory in the Longines Distaff (G1).

In 2003, Mandella saddled four Breeders' Cup winners under the single-day format of the Championships conducted from 1984-2006.

Authentic Becomes Sixth Kentucky Derby Winner to Take Classic 
Authentic became the sixth Kentucky Derby winner to capture the Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) and fourth to do it in the same year. The other 3-year-olds to win the Classic are Sunday Silence (1989), Unbridled (1990) and American Pharoah (2015). Ferdinand, the 1986 Derby winner, and Alysheba, the 1987 Kentucky Derby winner, both came back the following year to win the Classic as 4-year-olds.                               

Irad Ortiz Jr. Wins Third Consecutive Bill Shoemaker Award
Irad Ortiz Jr., who rode two winners and added a second- and third-place finish, won the 18th annual Bill Shoemaker Award, given to the most outstanding jockey in the 2020 Breeders' Cup World Championships hosted by Keeneland.

Ortiz's victories came on Golden Pal (Juvenile Turf Sprint-G2) and Whitmore (Sprint-G1). He finished second on Improbable in the Classic (G1) and third on Sharp Samurai in the Big Ass Fans Dirt Mile (G1).

Joel Rosario, Florent Geroux, John Velazquez and Pierre-Charles Boudot also rode two winners.

Rosario, who rode three winners in 2018 at Churchill Downs and two last year at Santa Anita, got his 2020 victories on Vequist (Juvenile Fillies-G1) and Knicks Go (Big Ass Fans Dirt Mile-G1)

Geroux's two victories came on Aunt Pearl (IRE) (Juvenile Fillies Turf-G1) and Monomoy Girl (Longines Distaff-G1). Velasquez won the Longines Classic (G1) on Authentic and the Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) on Gamine. Boudot picked up his first two Breeders' Cup victories on Audarya (FR) in the Maker's Mark Filly & Mare Turf (G1) and the FanDuel Mile presented by PDJF (G1) on Order of Australia (IRE).

Four Jockeys Claim Initial Breeders' Cup Victories 
Four riders posted their first Breeders' Cup victories over the weekend.

Pierre-Charles Boudot, who was riding in his third Breeders' Cup, picked up his first two Breeders' Cup victories on Audarya (FR) in the Maker's Mark Filly & Mare Turf (G1) and the FanDuel Mile presented by PDJF (G1) on Order of Australia (IRE).

Luis Saez, riding in his seventh World Championships, won the TVG Juvenile presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (G1) on Essential Quality.

Tom Eaves, riding in his first Breeders' Cup, won the Turf Sprint (G1) on Glass Slippers (GB).

Colin Keane, also riding in his first Breeders' Cup, won the Longines Turf (G1) on Tarnawa (IRE).

Weld, Three Other Trainers Post Initial Breeders' Cup Victories
Dermot Weld, who saddled his first two Breeders' Cup starters in 1985, broke through Saturday with his first victory in the World Championships when Tarnawa (IRE) won the Longines Turf (G1). Tarnawa represented Weld's 17th Breeders' Cup starter.  james fan

Also picking up their initial victories were Ron Moquett, Kevin Ryan and James Fanshawe.

Moquett won the Sprint (G1) with Whitmore who was running in the Sprint for the fourth consecutive year. Moquett, who saddled his first Breeders' Cup runner in 1999, has started two other horses besides Whitmore.

Ryan, who won the Turf Sprint (G1) with Glass Slippers (GB), had had only one previous Breeders' Cup starter with East (GB), who had finished second in the Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) at Churchill Downs in 2018.

Fanshawe won with his first Breeders' Cup starter, Audarya (FR) in the Maker's Mark Filly & Mare Turf (G1).

Five Favorites Won Over the Weekend 
Five favorites delivered victories from the 14 Championship races during the 2020 Breeders' Cup at Keeneland with three more finishing second.

The winning favorites were Golden Pal (Juvenile Turf Sprint-G2), Aunt Pearl (IRE) (Juvenile Fillies Turf-G1), Gamine (Filly & Mare Sprint-G1), Knicks Go (Big Ass Fans Dirt Mile-G1) and Monomoy Girl (Longines Distaff-G1).

The highest price winner of the weekend was Order of Australia (IRE) in the FanDuel Mile presented by PDJF (G1) with a $148.40 win mutuel on a $2 bet.

Kentucky and European-Based Runners Dominate at Keeneland 
There were 14 World Championship races this weekend at Keeneland and Kentucky-based runners accounted for victories in half of them.

The Kentucky-based winners were Golden Pal (Juvenile Turf Sprint-G2), Fire At Will (Juvenile Turf presented by Coolmore America-G1), Aunt Pearl (IRE) (Juvenile Fillies Turf-G1), Essential Quality (TVG Juvenile presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance-G1), Whitmore (Sprint-G1), Knicks Go (Big Ass Fans Dirt Mile-G1) and Monomoy Girl (Longines Distaff-G1).

The Europeans made a clean sweep of the four turf races Saturday starting with Glass Slippers (GB) in the Turf Sprint (G1) and followed by Audarya (FR) in the Maker's Mark Filly & Mare Turf (G1), Order of Australia (IRE) in the FanDuel Mile presented by PDJF (G1) and Tarnawa (IRE) in the Longines Turf (G1).

California was represented by two winners, both trained by Bob Baffert and both track record-setters: Gamine (Filly & Mare Sprint-G1) and Authentic (Longines Classic-G1).

The other winner was Parx-based Vequist in Friday's Juvenile Fillies (G1).

Breeders' Cup World Championships Leading Jockeys (by earnings)

Jockey Earnings
Mike Smith* $36,634,605
John Velazquez* $27,730,275
Frankie Dettori* $25,751,862
Pat Day $23,033,360
Joel Rosario* $22,182,535
Jerry Bailey $22,006,440
Javier Castellano* $20,547,600
Gary Stevens $20,299,255

*Denotes Active Jockey

Breeders' Cup World Championships Leading Jockeys (by wins)

Jockey Wins
Mike Smith* 26
John Velazquez* 18
Jerry Bailey 15
Frankie Dettori* 14
Garrett Gomez 13
Javier Castellano* 12
Pat Day 12
Joel Rosario* 13
Irad Ortiz Jr. 11
Gary Stevens  11

*Denotes Active Jockey

 

Breeders' Cup World Championships Leading Trainers (by earnings)

Trainer Earnings
Bob Baffert* $34,985,000
Aidan O'Brien * $26,645,590
D. Wayne Lukas *  $22,672,520
Todd Pletcher* $21,508,030
Chad Brown* $20,000,690
Bill Mott* $19,936,900
Steve Asmussen* $14,262,180

*Denotes Active Trainer

 

 

Breeders' Cup World Championships Leading Trainers (by win)

Trainer Wins
D. Wayne Lukas* 20
Bob Baffert* 17
Chad Brown * 15
Aidan O'Brien * 13
Todd Pletcher* 11
Shug McGaughey* 9
Bill Mott* 9
Richard Mandella* 9
Sir Michael Stoute* 8
Brad Cox 7
Neil Drysdale 6
Bobby Frankel 6

*Denotes Active Trainer

 

Jockeys Who Won Their First Breeders' Cup World Championships race in 2020

Jockey Horse Race
Pierre-Charles Boudot Audarya (FR) Filly & Mare Turf
Tom Eaves Glass Slippers (GB) Turf Sprint
Colin Keane Tarnawa (IRE) Turf
Luis Saez Essential Quality Juvenile

 

Trainers Who Won Their First Breeders' Cup World Championships race in 2020

Trainer Horse Race
James Fanshawe Audarya (FR) Filly & Mare Turf
Ron Moquett Whitmore Sprint
Kevin Ryan Glass Slippers (GB) Turf Sprint
Dermot Weld Tarnawa (IRE) Turf

 

Future Sites

The 38th Breeders' Cup World Championships will be held at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, California, Nov. 5-6, 2021 and return to Keeneland for the 39threnewal Nov. 4-5, 2022.

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Glass Slippers Takes Rail Trip To Become First European To Win Turf Sprint

Glass Slippers (GB) justified a long flight from her European base with a brilliant performance under a patient ride by jockey Tom Eaves to win the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint Saturday. The 4-year-old filly hung well back, tucked along the rail behind the majority of the field through the backstretch and around the turn, appeared to have nowhere to go until a gap opened up, allowing Eaves to quietly ease her closer to the pace. Still, Glass Slippers was forced to wait behind dueling Wildman Jack and Into Mystic in front, hemmed in to her right shoulder by Extravagant Kid. She found another gear and burst through a narrow gap inside of Extravagant Kid, charging forward to challenge Wildman Jack, easily putting him away and holding off a wall of late challengers led by Wet Your Whistle. The final margin was a half length.

“It's just brilliant,” said Eaves. “We arrived on Monday and we exercised her on the turf  track all week. We also walked it a couple of times. I spoke to Ryan Moore beforehand for some advice on how to ride the track. What a training performance. She's been great all year so come to and win it's unreal. She's raced round a bend before but the plan was to go on the instead and ride for a bit of luck. We had a great run through which doesn't always work but it did today. To have a Breeders' Cup winner Is amazing and a day I won't forget. She'll be in training again next year.”

The win is the first in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint for a European-based horse.

Wet Your Whistle was second, followed by Leinster. Glass Slippers paid $22.40 to win.

The final time for the five and a half furlongs was 1:01.53.

Kevin Ryan trains Glass Slippers for owner/breeder Bearstone Stud Limited. She is the daughter of Dream Ahead and Night Gypsy (GB) by Mind Games (GB). The filly came to this race off a narrow second-place finish in the G1 Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp on Oct. 20, and a win prior to that in the G1 Flying Five Stakes at the Curragh.

“Awesome. I'm ecstatic,” said Ryan. “To come and compete against the best sprinters in the world and beat them is just amazing. She's been great all week. Every day getting fresher and cantering on the turf track every morning. I said to Tom earlier in the week now you're going quicker running into bend let's see how she changes her legs and straight away no issues at all in the bend. I knew then we were in business. We decided going on a brave ride up the inner and go the shortest route and if it didn't work such is life. Today was our day.”

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