Every week, the TDN posts a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) related rulings from around the country.
Among the key rulings from the last seven days, it appears once again that the rules barring intra-articular injections within seven days of a timed or reported workout are tripping up trainers, with one such case resolved and another three introduced to the “pending rulings” list.
NEW HISA/HIWU STEWARDS RULINGS
The following rulings were reported on HISA's “rulings” portal and through the HIWU's “pending” and “resolved” cases portals.
Resolved ADMC Violations
Date: 10/28/2023
Licensee: John Servis, trainer
Penalty: A fine of $3,000; imposition of 3 Penalty Points. Admission.
Explainer: A possible violation of Rule 3314–Use or Attempted Use of a Controlled Medication Substance or a Controlled Medication Method—on the horse, Winnin'onweekends. This was also a possible violation of Rule 4222–Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout.
Date: 09/21/2023
Licensee: John Ennis, trainer
Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission.
Explainer: For the presence of Diclofenac—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Wauhatchie, who finished second at Churchill Downs A on 9/21/23. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).
Pending ADMC Violations
Date: 11/04/2023
Licensee: Jeff Hiles, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Medication violation
Explainer: A possible violation of Rule 3314–Use or Attempted Use of a Controlled Medication Substance or a Controlled Medication Method–on the horse, Blue Devil. This is also a possible violation of Rule 4222–Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout.
Date: 11/04/2023
Licensee: Gustavo Amaya, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Medication violation
Explainer: A possible violation of Rule 3314—Use or Attempted Use of a Controlled Medication Substance or a Controlled Medication Method—on the horse, Sandpiper Memories. This is also a possible violation of Rule 4222—Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout.
Date: 10/29/2023
Licensee: Michael Ferraro, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Medication violation
Explainer: A possible violation of Rule 3314–Use or Attempted Use of a Controlled Medication Substance or a Controlled Medication Method–on the horse, Princess Sonya. This is also a possible violation of Rule 4222–Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout.
Date: 10/25/2023
Licensee: Joe Pizzurro, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone—Controlled Medication (Class C)–in a sample taken from Atlantic Firestorm. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312–Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).
Date: 9/14/2023
Licensee: Bret Calhoun, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Diclofenac–Controlled Medication (Class C)–in a sample taken from Tatanka, who finished eleventh at Churchill Downs A on 9/14/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312–Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).
Violations of Crop Rule
One important note: HISA's whip use limit is restricted to six strikes during a race.
Churchill Downs
Erik Asmussen–violation date Nov 22; $250 fine, one-day suspension
OTHER KEY RULINGS
The TDN also 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.
California
Track: Del Mar
Date: 11/26/2023
Licensee: Antonio Fresu, jockey
Penalty: Three-day suspension
Violation: Failure to ride mount out to the finish
Explainer: Jockey Antonio Fresu, who rode Satin Doll in the sixth race at Del Mar Racetrack on November 25, 2023, is suspended for 3 racing days (December 3, 8, & 9, 2023) for violation of California Horse Racing Board rule #1692 (Requirements for Horse, Trainer and Jockey – failure to ride his mount to the finish, costing him a better finish position).
New York
Track: Aqueduct
Date: 11/18/2023
Licensee: Trevor McCarthy, jockey
Penalty: Three-day suspension
Violation: Careless riding
Explainer: For having waived his right to an appeal Jockey Mr. Trevor Mc Carthy is hereby suspended 3 NYRA racing days December 1st 2023, December 2nd 2023 and December 3rd 2023 inclusive. This for careless riding during the running of the eight race at Aqueduct Racetrack on November 24th 2023.
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