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Weekly Rulings, Dec. 12-18

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.

With the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) having gone into effect on July 1, the TDN will also post a roundup of the relevant HISA-related rulings from the same week, while we wait to see what the new year will bring regarding the legislation.

California
Track: Los Alamitos
Date: 12/16/2022
Licensee: Jose De La Torre, jockey
Penalty: Three-day suspension, $500 fine
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: Having violated the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority Rule #2280 (Use of Riding Crop) and pursuant to Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority Rule #2282 (Riding Crop Violations and Penalties – Class 2), Jockey Jose De La Torre who rode Papa Primitivo in the sixth race at Los Alamitos Race Course on December 11, 2022, is suspended for three (3) days (December 26, 30 and 31, 2022), and fined $500.00 for six (6) strikes over the limit. (Class 2 violation). Furthermore, Jockey Jose De La Torre is assigned five (5) violation points that will be expunged on September 16, 2023, nine (9) months from the date of final adjudication pursuant to Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority Rule #2282 (Riding Crop Violations and Penalties). Jockey Jose De La Torre now has five (5) points pursuant to HISA Rule #2283 (Multiple Violations)

Track: Los Alamitos
Date: 12/16/2022
Licensee: Steve Knapp, trainer
Penalty: $500 fine
Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: Trainer Steve Knapp, who started the horse Square Deal, finishing fourth in the second race at Del Mar Racetrack on September 10, 2022, is fined $500.00 and assessed one half (1/2) point in accordance with California Horse Racing Board rule #1843.4 (Multiple Medication Violations – Expires 12/16/23) pursuant to rule #1887 (Trainer or Owner to Insure Condition of Horse) for violation of California Horse Racing Board Rules #1840 (Veterinary Practices and Treatment Restricted), #1843(a)(b)(d) (Medication, Drugs and Other Substances), Rule #1844(d)(5) (Authorized Medication) and Rule #1843.1 (Prohibited Drug Substances – Methocarbamol [Class 4]).

Track: Los Alamitos
Date: 12/17/2022
Licensee: Armand Aguilar, jockey
Penalty: One-day suspension, $250 fine
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: Having violated the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority Rule #2280 (Use of Riding Crop) and pursuant to Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority Rule #2282 (Riding Crop Violations and Penalties – Class 3), Apprentice Jockey Armand Aguilar, who rode Big Frank Da Tank in the fourth race at Los Alamitos Race Course on December 16, 2022, is suspended for one (1) day (December 26, 2022), and fined $250.00 for two (2) strikes over the limit. Furthermore, Apprentice Jockey Armand Aguilar is assigned three (3) violation points that will be expunged on June 17, 2023, six (6) months from the date of final adjudication pursuant to Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority Rule #2282 (Riding Crop Violations and Penalties – second offense since November 6, 2022. Apprentice Jockey Armand Aguilar has accrued a total of six (6) points.

NEW HISA STEWARDS RULINGS

The following rulings were reported on HISA's “rulings” portal, except for the voided claim rulings which were sent to the TDN directly. Some of these rulings are from prior weeks as they were not reported contemporaneously.

One important note: HISA's whip use limit is restricted to six strikes during a race.

Violations of Crop Rule

Gulfstream Park
Jose Luis Alonso – violation date December 15; $250 fine and one-day suspension, “struck his mount (Double Cosmo Girl) more than 2 times in a row, which is over the limit”

Oaklawn Park
Rafael Bejarano – violation date December 16; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 7 strikes
Orlando Mojica – violation date December 16; $250 fine and one-day suspension, “raised his wrist above his helmet when using the crop in the fourth race at Oaklawn on December 16, 2022”
Ricardo Santana – violation date December 16; $250 fine and one-day suspension, “raised his wrist above his helmet when using the crop in the sixth race at Oaklawn on December 16, 2022”
Angel Rodriguez – violation date December 16; $250 fine and one-day suspension, “raised his wrist above his helmet when using the crop in the fifth race at Oaklawn on December 16, 2022”
Tyler Baze – violation date December 16; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 7 strikes
Isaac Castillo – violation date December 16; $250 fine and one-day suspension, “raised his wrist above his helmet when using the crop in the eighth race at Oaklawn on December 17, 2022”

Remington Park
Isaac Castillo – violation date December 15; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 9 strikes

Tampa Bay Downs
Pablo Santiago Morales – violation date December 14; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 7 strikes
Samy Camacho – violation date December 14; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 8 strikes
Kevin Mendez Cruz – violation date December 16; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 7 strikes

Penn National
Leonardo Corujo Alvarez – violation date December 13; $250 fine and one-day suspension, “failing to use the crop in an appropriate and proportionate manner”
Julio A. Hernández – violation date December 13; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 9 strikes

Zia Park
Alfredo Juarez Jr. – violation date December 12; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 7 strikes
Juan Villanueva – violation date December 13; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 9 strikes
Casey Rey Chavez – violation date December 14; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 9 strikes

Voided Claims

Oaklawn Park
Girls A Bullet – ruling date 12/9/2022

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Retired New York Post Racing Writer Ray Kerrison Passes

Ray Kerrison, a former racing columnist for the New York Post known as a fearless reporter who was never afraid to tackle the most sensitive subjects, passed away Sunday. He was 92.

His death was first reported by the Post, for whom he covered 32 Kentucky Derbies. A native of Australia, Kerrision came to the Post in 1977 and was a regular on the racing beat through the 1985 season. He then moved over to the news side and worked as a columnist up until 2013. The news department would lend Kerrision to sports after his career change and he continued to cover the major races like the Triple Crown events and the Breeders' Cup up until his retirement.

Kerrison was a product of a different time, when the New York tabloids kept close tabs on racing and were unapologetic when it came to shining a light on the good, the bad and, when it was called for, the ugly. Kerrison's reporting skills helped land him the exclusive on one of the biggest scandals ever at the New York tracks. Kerrison uncovered the 1977 betting coup that involved the switching of the identities of the horses Lebon and Cinzano. Cinzano, a champion in Uruguay, raced under the name of Lebon, a non-descript horse who also came out of South America. Running under the name of Lebon, Cinzano won a race at Belmont at odds of 57-1. For his work Kerrison was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize.

With his reporting, Kerrison also played a key role in uncovering the scandal that led to charges being brought against Con Errico, Anthony Ciulla and more than 20 others.
According to the Post, Kerrison also covered the 1968 assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., the 1969 moon landing and the 1972 Munich Olympics terrorist attack before moving to the U.S.
“Horse racing needs more journalists like Ray Kerrison,” former NYRA announcer Dave Johnson said. “He was fearless and he took on all subjects, no matter if it might cost his paper advertising dollars. He was an invaluable asset to the game. It's a shame we don't have people like that in racing anymore.”

Kerrison was born in in Cobdogla, Australia. He came to New York in 1963 to work for News Limited. In 1970, he went to work for fellow Australian Rupert Murdoch at the National Star and then joined the Post, also owned by Murdoch.

“It was never about him,” said his son, Patrick. “He was extraordinarily humble. He was very protective of the $2 bettor. When he came on the racing season, Jan. 1, 1977, the other turf writers did not like him and neither did racing personnel, trainers, jockeys. That's because it was very insular and the turf writers acted more like publicity agents as opposed to investigative journalists. What my dad did upset a lot of people. He didn't care. He just wanted to protect the bettors and he wanted everything to be on a level playing field. That's how he was with everything in his life.”

“All I can tell you is Ray Kerrison was just a wonderful human being,” Greg Gallo, a former Post sports editor, told the Post.”He was a terrific journalist, columnist, a tenacious reporter who went after stories full tilt. But he was so gracious in the way he did his business. I used to refer to him as the Fred Astaire of Thoroughbred racing because he was the best. He was the classiest guy who ever worked that beat. No one was better as a journalist. … We really have lost a special person here.”

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Mind Control Stays Put at Rockridge Stud

Red Oak Stable (Stephen P. Brunetti) and Madaket Stable's (Sol Kumin) Mind Control (Stay Thirsty–Feel That Fire, by Lightnin N Thunder) winner of the GI $750,000 Cigar Mile at Aqueduct on Dec. 3 in the final start of his career, will stand at Rockridge Stud in New York under the management of Irish Hill Farm, Dutchess Views Stallions, Hidden Lake Farm and Rockridge Stud. The five-year-old is out of a stakes-winning mare and is priced at $8,500 LFSN.

Mind Control won the GI Hopeful S. as a 2-year-old and the GI H. Allen Jerkens S. as a 3-year-old at Saratoga. “We are excited and looking forward to standing Mind Control at Rockridge Stud,” said Red Oak Stable racing manager Rick Sacco. “There was considerable interest from stud farms in the U.S., Japan and the Middle East, but given that his three Grade I victories were on the NYRA circuit, we believe Rockridge Stud in the state of New York is the perfect place for Mind Control to begin his stallion career.”

“Ultimately, Stephen Brunetti wanted the horse to stand in the U.S. Sol Kumin agreed, a deal was struck with Rockridge Stud, Irish Hill Farm, and Dutchess Views Stallions, and a partnership was formed,” said Sacco.

Mind Control will serve stallion duty as the property of Rockridge Stud, Irish Hill Farm, Dutchess Views Stallions, and Waldorf Farm as well as Red Oak Stable and Madaket Stable.

“This is a significant development for Rockridge Stud, Irish Hill Farm, Dutchess Views Stallions, and for the breeding industry in New York,” added owner/operator Lere Visagie. “Getting this group of partners together to support Mind Control gives us a phenomenal opportunity to make him the most successful stallion to ever stand in the state.”

“I'm extremely proud of everything Mind Control accomplished on the race track,” said Brunetti. “I've been breeding horses for 25 years and he's the best one I've ever bred. From a breeding perspective, Mind Control has excellent conformation and size. He displayed fierce courage, he hails from a strong and active female family, and he won Grade I races from seven furlongs to one mile.”

Mind Control recorded victories in five of his final nine career starts beginning with his win at Belmont Park's $250,000 John A. Nerud Stakes (G2) going seven furlongs July 4, 2021. After his win in the Cigar Mile, Todd Pletcher told NYRA, “It was not only great for him to go out on a win, but for him to do it in the style that defines his character in fighting off challenges from the Florida Derby winner on the inside and the American Pharoah winner on the outside.” “It was three Grade I winners battling it out across the track. Mind Control showed that signature move of his where he puts his head in front and won't be denied.”

Sacco described Mind Control's final career start as almost like a movie ending. “It was a fitting end to his impressive racing career and it was awesome that Johnny V came in from California to ride Mind Control in his final race. We're very proud of the horse, our breeding program, and the Red Oak Farm operation led by Barry Dolan. I just want to congratulate Todd and his entire team and to remember the excellent job my brother Gregg did with Mind Control earlier in his career winning two Grade I races,” concluded Sacco.

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John Deere, Keeneland, Jockey Club, Are Eclipse Presenting Sponsors

John Deere, Keeneland, and The Jockey Club will be presenting sponsors of the 52nd Annual Eclipse Awards, honoring Thoroughbred racing's champions of 2022, to be held Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023, at The Breakers Palm Beach, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association announced Wednesday.

“We are grateful to John Deere, Keeneland, and The Jockey Club for their partnership in serving as this year's presenting sponsors for the Eclipse Awards,” said Tom Rooney, President and CEO of the NTRA. “We're very excited to welcome the Thoroughbred industry to The Breakers to celebrate the best of the best of this year's finalists. This event would not be possible without our presenting sponsors or our large number of official partners, and we are very appreciative for their support.”

In addition to the presenting sponsors, many other organizations have pledged their support and are serving as official partners of the event. Official Partners for the event include 1/ST, Breeders' Cup, Churchill Downs Incorporated, Daily Racing Form, Dean Dorton Equine, Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, EquinEdge, FanDuel, Four Roses, Florida Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, Florida Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association, Hallway Feeds, Jackson Family Wines, Monmouth Park, The New York Racing Association, Oaklawn Park, Palm Beach Kennel Club and Poker Room, Racetrack Television Network, Rood and Riddle, Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, and the Thoroughbred Owners of California.

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