Every week, the TDN publishes a series of key official rulings from major racetracks in the four major racing jurisdictions, California, New York, Florida and Kentucky.
This is a bait about how each of these jurisdictions adjudicates different offenses, what they make public (or don’t) and where.
With the Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) effective July 1, 2022, TDN will also post a series of HISA-related rulings in the same week.
New York
Monitor: Belmont Park
Day: May 21, 2023
Licensee: Caitlin Owen, racing official
penalty: $1,000 fine
Violation: There is no such thing as a “right” way to do business.
Explainer: Race Director, Dr Caitlin Owen is hereby fined one thousand ($1,000) dollars for failing to properly conduct business which resulted in a scratch during the 8th race at Belmont Park on May 21 year 2023. TDN requested clarification on the matter and will update as necessary.
Kentucky
Monitor: Churchill Downs
Day: May 18, 2023
Licensee: Irad Ortiz, Jr., equestrian
penalty: $1,000 fine
Violation: Wearing unapproved promotional materials
Explainer: After waiving the right to a formal hearing before the Board, Irad Ortiz, Jr. hereby fined $1,000 for failing to comply with the regulation governing advertising by wearing promotional materials during race 11 at Churchill Downs on 6 May 2023 without written consent. Upon receipt of this judgment, the licensee shall, within thirty (30) days, pay any and all fines imposed to the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission. Failure to do so will result in the licensee being suspended from the summary license pursuant to 810 KAR 3:020 Section 15 (CC).
NEW REGULATIONS OF HISA MANAGERS
The following judgments have been reported on the HISA “judges” portal, with the exception of nullity claim judgments which have been submitted to TDN direct. Some of these rulings are from previous weeks because they were not reported at the same time.
An important note: HISA’s whip limit is limited to six hits in a race.
Violation of crop rules
finger lake
Carlos Damian Camilo – breach date May 16; $250 fine and one day suspension, 7 strikes
Indianapolis horseshoe
Joe Ramos – breach date May 16; $100 fine, “raise your wrist above the helmet when hitting a mount”
Hannah Leahey – breach date May 18; $250 fine and one day suspension, 7 strikes
grassland steppe
Cindy Sue Murphy – breach date May 20; $250 fine and one-day suspension, “excessive spanking”
Presque Isle Downs
Walber Alencar – breach date May 16; $250 fine and one day suspension, 8 strikes
