Following regulatory action in California and other jurisdictions, Kentucky regulators have begun fining and suspending riders for riding violations in the state. Two jockeys riding last week at Lawn Park was sanctioned in the February 12 rulings and posted February 16 on the website of the Kentucky Equestrian Commission.
Top equestrian Gerardo Corrales fined $500 for overuse of train ride prince samurai in the ninth race on 11 February. Gabriel Lagunes was suspended for three days for his conduct Hot Heels in the eighth race that evening, with the managers citing the same infraction. The rulings do not distinguish why Corrales was fined while Lagunes was suspended.
Lagunes suspension runs from Wednesday through February 18.
The Samurai Prince won the race for freedom of choice by half the length under Corrales, with the horse making $38,400. Hot Heels finished fourth under Lagunes in the $15,000 race, earning $1,080.
After consulting with this year’s Jockeys’ Guild, the KHRC passed an amendment in June to the state’s crop code, restricting its use but still allowing overhand strikes. .
OSER: KHRC Approves Revised Equestrian Cultivation Rules
Kentucky’s revised rules require no more than six hits and no more than two consecutive hits. Shared use of crops is allowed for the final three-eighths of the race. It is also permissible to touch the horse with both hands in the prone position and touch the horse’s neck and wave it towards the horse without contact.
Two dark horses in Turfway Park have been penalized for riding offenses
