California Stewards Issue First Rulings Under HISA

In some of the first rulings published since the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority's Racetrack Safety Program began July 2, California stewards have begun fining and suspending jockeys under the HISA's riding-crop rules.

Under HISA regulations, a violation of one to three strikes over a six-strike limit is a Class 3 violation, resulting in fines of $250 or 10% of a jockey's portion of the purse, whichever is greater. Additionally, a one-day suspension is issued for Class 3 riding-crop violations, and three points are assessed on a scale that can lead to increased suspensions.

Ricardo Ramirez, Diego Herrera, Francisco Orduna-Rojas, Abdul Alsagoor, Erick Garcia, and Edgar Payeras were sanctioned for riding-crop violations July 2-4 at the Los Angeles County Fair at Los Alamitos Race Course in Southern California. Elsewhere in the state, riding-crop violations were issued to riders at Pleasanton, a Northern California fair track.

Illustrating differences to the state's previously enforced rules, Alsagoor and Herrera were fined $500 and $1,000, respectively, in pre-HISA rulings, though neither was suspended. Herrera's fine was related to its being his third offense in 60 days, a July 1 ruling stated.

HISA was created to implement national, uniform rules in Thoroughbred racing. While the safety program is currently underway, HISA's Anti-Doping and Medication Control Program is not scheduled to go into effect until early next year.

California's $1.45 million HISA assessment fees are being paid via in-state advance deposit wagering access fees.