Thu, May 20, 2021

Race 4 - Stewards’ inquiry and jockey’s objection into the stretch run. Turning for home, the #8 Glass Ceiling (Manuel Franco) attempts to hold #3 Gone Glimmering (Irad Ortiz, Jr.) in, as the #3 comes out and makes contact. In the vicinity of the 1/8^th pole, the #3 comes out twice more under left-handed urging, making contact with the #8. Once clear, the #8 advances to gain a quarter length on the #3 before the wire. After reviewing the video and speaking to the riders involved, the opinion of the stewards was that the incidents did affect the outcome of the race. The #3 was disqualified from second and placed third behind the #8. The race was made official 1-8-3-7.

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.