Fri, September 17, 2021

Race 4 - Stewards’ inquiry and trainer’s objection into the stretch run. Turning for home, #4 Haughty (Junior Alvarado) drifts out and makes contact briefly with #7 Diamond Hands (Jose Lezcano) who goes on to finish third by a nose. After reviewing the video and speaking to the riders involved, it was the opinion of the stewards that the incident cost the #7 a placing. The #4 was disqualified from 1st to 3rd place for interference. The race was made official 3-7-4-1A.

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.