Brook Hawkins

After losing on five heavy favorites and getting disqualified from a win on a sixth, jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. would probably like to put his Saturday trip to Tampa Bay Downs behind him as soon as possible. But North America's leading rider in victories in each of the last eight years is going to have to wait until at least Wednesday to find out if the Tampa stewards are going to suspend or otherwise penalize him for his actions aboard 1-2 favorite Owen Almighty (Speightstown) in the Jan. 11 Pasco...

Racing official Victor Escobar has been appointed New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) Steward, NYRA announced late Thursday afternoon. The former Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission (OHRC) State Steward, where he'd been since 2021 and where he had played a central role in the implementation of Category 1 rules at Remington Park, Escobar will join NYRA Feb. 16. As OHRC Steward, Escobar was also responsible for public communication with the betting public immediately following stewards' decisions. He has also served as State Steward for the New Mexico Racing Commission and as...