Sun, January 20, 2019

Race 3 - Stewards inquiry concerning an incident at the top of the stretch. #2 Big Brown Cat (Benjamin Hernandez) while racing wide comes out under left handed crop and makes contact with #5 Fournineteen (Manuel Franco) passing the ¼ pole. After speaking to the riders involved and reviewing the video it was determined by the stewards the #2 Big Brown Cat initiated the contact with #5 Fournineteen who went on to win the race. The was no change made to the order of finish and the race was made official. 5.1.7.2

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.