Fri, August 11, 2017

Race #9: Stewards inquiry in the vicinity of the 1/6 concerning the second place finisher #9 Lulu’s Pom Pom (Irad Ortiz Jr.). #2 Andretta (Rajiv Maragh) shifts in as #9 Lulu’s Pom Pom is shifting out and the two make contact and stay together with #9 Lulu’s Pom Pom carrying out #2 Andretta approaching the wire. #2 Andretta finishes second by a nose. After reviewing the video and speaking to the riders involved, in the judgment of the stewards this incident altered the finish of race. The #9 Lulu’s Pom Pom is demoted from second place and placed third. The new order of finish is 5.2.9.12.

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).