Fri, January 13, 2017

Stewards inquiry into the stretch run as #4 Road to Perfection(Eric Cancel) racing on the outside with #6 Smile Big(Irad Ortiz Jr.) on the inside brush in the vicinity of the 1/8 pole and then #4 Road to Perfections shifts out in the vicinity of the 1/16 pole and then #6 Smile Big reacting to a left-handed crop comes out to #4 Road to Perfection and makes contact. After reviewing the race video and speaking to riders involved there was no need for further action as #4 Road to Perfection finished first. The race is official as is 4.6.8.7

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.