Fri, January 20, 2017

After the start of Race 6 at Aqueduct on Friday January 20, 2017, Jockey Manuel Franco aboard # 8 STORM PURSUIT cuts across and comes down sharply without clearance on # 3 SING THE DREAM (Jockey: Angel Arroyo) causing #3 to check his horse with demonstrable rigor, thereby losing ground in the race due to the interference. Jockey Aaron Gryder the rider of the fourth place finisher #2 REGULUS was forced to steady from the lateral motion of #3 SING THE DREAM and filed an objection with the Stewards regarding the interference. After speaking with Jockeys Aaron Gryder and Manuel Franco, the Stewards deliberated to disqualify # 8 STORM PURSUIT from finishing 3rd to 5th behind both interfered with horses: #2 REGULUS AND #3 SING THE DREAM.

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.