Thu, August 19, 2021
Race 5 - Stewards’ inquiry into the stretch run. Approaching the 1/8th
pole, #3 Shalimar Gardens (Jose Ortiz) comes in, making contact with the #1
O’Gotten Girl (Luis Saez). After reviewing the video and speaking to the riders
involved, it was the opinion of the stewards that the incident did not affect
the outcome of the race. The race was made official as-is: 5-3-4-1.
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.