Sat, April 29, 2017

Stewards inquiry and a jockeys objection from the third place finisher #1 Chamois(Michael Luzzi) against the first place finisher #2 Power Nap(Jose Ortiz) for alleged interference inside the 1/16 pole. #2 Power Nap closing down the middle of the track drifts in and makes contact with #1 Chamois whose momentum was stopped as he  was racing on the lead on the rail. #1 Chamois finishes third beaten a half-length for second place.  After reviewing the race video and speaking with riders involved, in the judgment of the stewards this incident altered the finish of the race. The #2 Power Nap is disqualified from first and placed third. The new order of finish is 12.1.2.11

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.

For more information, see Commission rule 4035.2 (“Riding foul penalized")