Sat, October 15, 2016

Stewards inquiry into the start as the third place finisher #9 Verdant Pastures(Antonio Gallardo) breaks sharply towards the rail and makes solid contact with #7 The Eagle Is Gone(Dylan Davis) who then makes solid contact with the fifth place finisher  #5 Saratoga Citizen(Tyler Gaffalione) and the second place finisher #4 Easy Way Out(Irad Ortiz Jr.) on the inside. After reviewing the video and speaking to the riders involved, in the judgement of the Stewards this incident altered the finish of the race. #9 Verdant Pastures is disqualified and placed seventh. The new order of finish is 6.4.11.5 

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)