Thu, June 20, 2019

Race 3 - Stewards inquiry and jockey objection by the 2nd place finisher #5 Meet Me in LA (Jose Lezcano) against the winner #3 Spice Road ( Dylan Davis) for alleged interference through the stretch. #3 Spice Road came out under left hand crop and repeatedly bumped #5 Meet Me in LA through the stretch knocking that horse off stride while only winning by a short margin. After reviewing the video and speaking to the riders involved is was the determination of the stewards that the interference altered the order of finish and #3 Spice Road was disqualified from 1st and placed 2nd behind #5 Meet Me in LA. Official order of finish 5.3.2.1

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.

Commission Rule 4035.2 (Riding foul penalized)