Wed, April 18, 2018

Race #7 - Steward inquiry and trainers and Jockeys objection from the second place finisher #6 Fortuitous Path(Irad Ortiz Jr.) against the first place finisher #7 Forest Blue(David Cohen) for alleged interference in the vicinity of 1/16 pole.

#7 Forest Blue reacting to the riders use of the left handed crop drifts out and makes contact with #6 Fortuitous Path slowing his momentum and #6 Fortuitous goes on to finish second by a nose. After reviewing the video and speaking to riders involved, in the judgment of the Stewards this incident altered the finish of the race. #7 Forest Blue is demoted from first place and placed second the new order of finish is 6.7.2.5

With regard to interference, New York is a “Category 2” state, meaning that Commission rules provide that if the interferer is guilty of causing interference and such interference in the judgment of the Stewards has altered the finish of the race, then the interferer is placed behind the offended horse.

The Stewards consider whether the riders of the horse or horses that are offended continue to give effort to the finish of the race.

The Stewards also consider whether the offending jockey acted in a willful or careless manner while interfering with another horse or jockey, for which the interferer may be disqualified, i.e., placed last or unplaced in the order of finish. For example, if an offending jockey acts in a dangerous manner, exhibits extremely improper riding or impedes several horses, the Stewards may disqualify the offending horse without regard to the specific effect of the foul on the order of finish.