Bolt's Broad Loses Maiden Win Over Riding Crop Use

Bolt's Broad , who had won a Sept. 9 maiden special weight for 2-year-old fillies at Del Mar, has been disqualified because Drayden Van Dyke used the riding crop excessively. The decision was issued Oct. 10 by Santa Anita's stewards.

Bolt's Broad owner Mick Ruis was ordered to give up the $48,000 first-place purse, while Van Dyke would forfeit his winnings of $4,800. According to Daily Racing Form, Ruis also forfeits a $12,000 bonus paid by the track for winning a maiden special weight race on dirt.

The steward's decision cited rules instituted this summer by the Horseracing Safety and Integrity Authority, which states jockeys could only use their riding crop six times. Van Dyke, they said, used his 11 times. 

Van Dyke was penalized separately the day after the race. He was fined $960, suspended three days, and assessed five violation points that could be expunged June 19, 2023.

When a jockey uses the riding crop one to three strikes over the six-use limit, it is considered a Class 3 violation. This results in a fine of $250 or 10% of the jockey's portion of the purse, whichever is greater, and a minimum one-day suspension. Jockeys also accumulate points for infractions. This can lead to additional penalties. As of Sept. 9, Van Dyke had eight points.

When the crop is used four or more times over the limit, the jockey faces greater fines and longer suspensions, and the horse is disqualified from purse earnings. This is the case with Bolt's Broad. The rule is among the most criticized of those HISA has implemented because of the financial repercussions on owners.  

As of Tuesday afternoon, no appeal had been filed with the California Horse Racing Board. A HISA representative said that the organization has not received an appeal. Ruis' attorney, Darrell Vienna, said he had not been aware of the stewards' decision. 

This is not the first time this HISA rule has led to a high-value disqualification. Earlier this month, Peacock Family Holdings filed an appeal from a Sept. 24 race at The Downs at Albuquerque that had a forfeiture of earnings. Oscar Ceballos struck his mount, Sheriff Brown , 11 times in the $200,000 Downs At Albuquerque Handicap. As a result, $108,000 in winnings were forfeited. 

"We think we have solid grounds at least to have a discussion on the appeal," owner Joey Peacock, who races Sheriff Brown under Peacock Family Holdings, told BloodHorse. "You win a nice $200,000 stakes race, and the next morning they tell you they're taking it away from you. That's kind of a bummer. But we'll work through that."