An administrative legislation choose for the Federal Commerce Fee Oct. 4 overturned a New Mexico stewards’ ruling that was backed up by the Horseracing Integrity and Security Authority towards jockey Oscar Ceballos in his second-place trip aboard Alotaluck on this yr’s Sunland Park Derby (G3).
The preliminary ruling by the stewards was that Ceballos had violated racing guidelines through the use of the crop on Alotaluck 11 instances, which might be 5 instances over the restrict. However in overturning that ruling, administrative legislation choose D. Michael Chappell decided that seven of these strikes shouldn’t have counted as they had been administered to forestall the horse from lugging out, which meant they fell below a security exception.
Because the preliminary ruling was of a Class 2 violation, it referred to as for the disqualification of Alotaluck from the Feb. 18 race at Sunland Park however with the Oct. 4 ruling by Choose Chappell the grade 3 inserting of Alotaluck is ensured, in addition to the $85,360 in purse cash for proprietor/breeder Eleanor Martin. Sanctions towards Ceballos—an $853.60 tremendous and three-day suspension—are also lifted.
“The proof reveals that out of the 11 strikes to Alotaluck, the seven strikes to Alotaluck’s shoulder had been made for security causes as a way to cease Alotaluck from lugging out,” Choose Chappell dominated. “Accordingly, as a result of the strikes to Alotaluck’s shoulder had been made to protect the security of the horses and riders within the race, and thus permitted below HISA Rule 2280, the Authority has failed to ascertain that Ceballos exceeded the six-strike restrict below HISA Rule 2280. For all these causes, the proof establishes that the imposed civil sanctions weren’t in accordance with legislation.”
Ceballos was represented by legal professional Vanessa Motta.
California-bred Alotaluck completed the Sunland Park Derby 2 1/2 lengths behind Stronghold , who would seize the Santa Anita Derby (G1) in his subsequent begin. A son of Sir Prancealot , Alotaluck has gained three of 5 begins together with the Mine That Hen Derby and has by no means completed worse than second.
