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Dominguez: Whip Rules ‘Not Fair To The Rider, The Athletes Out On The Track’

Hall of Fame jockey Ramón Dominguez shared his opinions on the new whip rules in California and New Jersey with horseracing.net this week. The three-time Eclipse Award winner is concerned with both rider safety and wagering integrity.

In California, jockeys may only use the whip in an underhanded fashion and only six times during the running of a race. Dominguez worries that this does not allow riders to maintain a safe environment out on the track.

“Personally, my biggest worry is what happens when the need for a rider to take corrective action to protect himself, as well as the animal, arrives,” Dominguez told J.N. Campbell. “That is not visible to the observer. I think knowing that the jockey may have the predicament of doing what is right 'safety wise,' but possibly faces penalties is uncompromising. Should they take the chance to be proactive or run the risk that may cause a safety problem? That's not fair to the rider, the athletes out on the track or the integrity and future of the sport.”

Like other jockeys, both active and retired, Dominguez is also concerned about racing integrity. New Jersey has implemented the strictest whip rules in the country, with jockeys only allowed to use the whip for safety, not to achieve a better placing.

“As a jockey, other than making sure you keep your mount, yourself, other horses, and fellow riders safe, your main job is to help your horse reach its maximum placing,” Dominguez argued. “In order to do so, while riding a horse with a laid-back demeanor, that wants to only put forth effort according to what's being asked of him, you may sense the need to use the crop. This is a way to incentivize him. Sometimes you have to do this as early as the last three-eighths of a mile. If he is responding well to it, by the time you reach the last sixteenth, your main tool to ensure your horse reaches its maximum placing has been taken away from you. And with that, your likely opportunity to win; this applies not only to you, but to your connections, and equally important, the person who placed a bet on your horse.”

Delahoussaye Decries New Whip Rules: ‘Gamblers Are Going To Leave, And We Won’t Have Racing’

The new whip rules in California and New Jersey have drawn criticism from jockeys across the country, including retired Hall of Fame rider Eddie Delahoussaye. This week, he told The Orange County Register that the stricter regulations will cause gamblers to step away from horse racing altogether.

“Those gamblers, if they see you're not trying, they'll just quit the game. They won't bet,” Delahoussaye said. “Those gamblers are going to leave, and we won't have racing.”

Like other jockeys, Delahoussaye said the whip restrictions are causing legitimate safety concerns. He wishes commissions would have gotten more input from active jockeys before enacting the new rules.

“They should have got the top riders, experienced riders like Mike Smith and John Velazquez, and have a meeting and let them dictate how it should be done,” said Delahoussaye. “You don't let people who never rode a horse dictate how it's done. That's like telling a vet how to do his job. Or tell a doctor how to do his job. Or tell a policeman, and you've never done it. I just don't get it.”

Read more at the Orange County Register.

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Jockeys’ Guild Takes Legal Action Against New Jersey Commission’s Whip Regulations

In light of the New Jersey Racing Commission's decision and applicable new regulation to eliminate the use of the riding crop but for safety purposes in Thoroughbred racing, the Jockeys' Guild has retained the services of Rivkin Radler LLP in Hackensack, New Jersey to take legal action. A notice of appeal of the Commission's new regulation was filed on November 5, 2020 in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Appellate Division.

As the organization representing jockeys throughout the United States, the safety of both our equine and human athletes are paramount and of the upmost importance. The Jockeys' Guild and its members are adamantly opposed to any animal abuse, and any person who does so should be fully punished for such occurrences. However, the jockeys must be afforded the discretion to use the riding crop in a responsible manner to safely control the horse and do what is in the best interest of the integrity of the sport.

A Steward will determine when a jockey has violated the new rule and the extent of the fine or sanction, which Jockeys' Guild believes is unfair and subject to enhanced – not reduced — safety concerns.

“We strongly believe the rule adopted by the New Jersey Racing Commission will have serious consequences and could result in even greater risks and dangers for both the horses and jockeys,” said Guild Co-Chairman, John Velazquez. “There are many instances when we need to be able to use the riding crop to prevent a dangerous situation from occurring that is not able to be seen or known by those who are not on the horse's back. While purported to focus on the welfare of the horse, by not considering these instances, the new rule actually disregards the safety of the jockey and the horse.”

The Guild is extremely disappointed by the actions taken by the New Jersey Racing Commission. The Guild believes its comments and concerns were not considered and that the New Jersey Racing Commission insisted on rushing to adopt a rule that the Guild strongly believes is not only unsafe for the horse and jockey, but also a dangerous precedent and inconsistent with any other jurisdiction in the United States.

“We believe the Commission failed to have any meaningful dialogue or recognize any input from us as the jockeys who are risking our lives,” said Guild board member and long-time New Jersey jockey, Joe Bravo. “We feel that the Commission completely ignored our pleas for compromise, which is disrespectful and disheartening.”

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‘We Can’t Ride Them To Their Full Potential’: Santa Anita Jockeys Struggle With New Whip Rules

Following the first day under new whip rules at Santa Anita Park, several jockeys shared their continuing frustrations with the Daily Racing Form.

The California Horse Racing Board regulations include:

Riders cannot use the crop more than six times during a race, excluding showing or waiving the crop or tapping the horse on the shoulder.
Riders cannot use the crop more than two times in succession (within the six-time limit) without giving the horse a chance to respond before using the crop again.
The crop must be used in an underhanded position with the crop always at or below the shoulder level of the jockey.

“We can't ride them to their full potential, even if it's a light overhanded tap left-handed,” Drayden Van Dyke told drf.com. “People have to understand to get that whip over to your left hand, there are certain techniques you have to do. Underhanded bars you from being able to do it as quickly. This is a game when every millisecond matters. I think it's really discouraging.”

“In my professional opinion, it's not going to work,” Hall of Famer Mike Smith said. “If you're on a deep track and they're tiring, it doesn't work. It'll cost somebody second money, a win, or third money.”