Quote from talkinghorse on August 12, 2024, 9:52 PM

Notable Fines and Suspensions for the week of August 9, 2024:

 

RANGER, BRUCE W WEST GARDINER, ME YOB 1959

PRc on 8/6/2024 FINED: $500
DRIVING - 3 DAYS, 8/8/2024 THRU 8/13/2024

INAPPROPRIATE USE OF THE WHIP

2024 Penn National Gaming Horsemen`s Rule Guide and USTA Rule 18.00 S18.08 (c)3.
On 8/6/2024 at PRC, while driving No. 2 QUARREL in Race 8, driver Bruce Ranger used
his whip in the stretch in an inappropriate manner by using other than wrist and elbow
action (2nd offense). As a result of the violation, Mr. Ranger is fined the sum of $500.00
and is suspended from driving for 3 days: Thur. 8/8/24, Mon. 8/12/24, Tue. 8/13/24.
Subsequent violations of this nature will result in increased penalties. All fines are due
within 48 hours of imposition.

WRENN, RONNIE H JR. CHAGRIN FALLS, OH YOB 1986

Lex on 8/4/2024 FINED: $500
DRIVING - 3 DAYS, 8/5/2024 THRU 8/7/2024

EXCESSIVE OR INDISCRIMINATE USE OF WHIP

810 KAR 5:070 Sec.9 (3) (c)----Ronnie Wrenn is hereby assessed a civil penalty of $500.00
and suspended 3 days, (08/05/2024 through and including 08/07/2024). Excessive and
Indiscriminate use of the whip resulting in welts.

 

IRVINE, JUSTIN D AURORA, OH YOB 2001

Nfld on 7/31/2024 FINED: $100

TALKING ON THE RACE TRACK

 

MILLER, BRETT A BLACKLICK, OH YOB 1973

ScD on 8/2/2024 FINED: $200
HORSE PLACED 3

INSIDE THE EURO RAIL / PYLON VIOLATION

ScD on 8/3/2024 FINED: $200
HORSE PLACED 5

PASSING LANE VIOLATION

 

NOBLE, DANIEL N XENIA, OH YOB 1983

ScD on 8/3/2024 FINED: $100

INSIDE THE EURO RAIL / PYLON VIOLATION

ScD on 8/6/2024 FINED: $100

INSIDE THE EURO RAIL / PYLON VIOLATION

 

WRENN, PETER M CARMEL, IN YOB 1962

HoP on 8/1/2024 FINED: $200

COMING TO THE GATE OUT OF POSITION

Quote from Porcupine on August 14, 2024, 10:01 PM

Thank you for this.  I'm a stickler for everyone following the rules.  I appreciate you highlighting some of them as well.  Can I assume that you will update this post every Friday?

Quote from talkinghorse on August 16, 2024, 10:37 AM

Fines and Suspensions:  Friday August 16, 2024:

Notables:

CASE, WALTER H JR RICHMOND, ME YOB 1961
Skow on 8/14/2024 FINED: $100
FAILURE TO KEEP BOTH FEET IN THE STIRRUPS

DIBENEDETTO, KYLE HONESDALE, PA YOB 1966
MR on 8/7/2024 FINED: $250
DRIVING - 1 DAY, 8/19/2024 THRU 8/19/2024
KICKING A HORSE

HALL, TONY A PARIS, KY YOB 1978
Lex on 7/30/2024 FINED: $200
USING THE WHIP IN UNCONVENTIONAL MANNER
810 KAR 4:070 Sec.1(12)---Hereby assessed a civil penalty of $200.00 for putting whip
between the hind legs which resulted in it going below the shaft.

MACDONALD, ANTHONY A MACEDONIA, OH YOB 1976
Mea on 8/3/2024 FINED: $200
EXCESSIVE OR INDISCRIMINATE USE OF WHIP
PA Code Title 7: 205.409(c) Mr. MacDonald used his whip with more than wrist and elbow
action and raised his whipping arm above shoulder height when driving #3, ROCKS
SHINING STAR in the eighth race on August 3, 2024 at The Meadows. Mr. MacDonald is
fine $200 (fines are due within ten days of ruling) and has waived his hearing/appeal rights.

MACDONALD, ANTHONY A MACEDONIA, OH YOB 1976
Mea on 8/3/2024 FINED: $100
INSIDE THE EURO RAIL / PYLON VIOLATION

MILLER, ANDY RAY CREAM RIDGE, NJ YOB 1968
Lex on 7/30/2024 FINED: $300
EXCESSIVE OR INDISCRIMINATE USE OF WHIP
810 KAR 5:070 Sec.9(3)----Andy Miller is hereby assessed a civil penalty of $300 for
indiscriminate whipping in a manner other than that prescribed by the Kentucky Horse
Racing and Gaming Corporation regulations.

MYERS, HUNTER R CHAGRIN FALLS, OH YOB 1998
Mea on 8/2/2024 FINED: $100
FAILURE TO SET AND MAINTAIN A PROPER PACE

NISONGER, JEFFREY S LEBANON, OH YOB 1981
ScD on 8/9/2024 FINED: $300
INAPPROPRIATE USE OF THE WHIP
OSRC 3769-17-17-B. While driving #6 Hugs And Kisses during the fourth quarter in race 13
on 8/9/24 at Scioto Downs, Mr. Nisonger did whip the horse using other than wrist and
elbow action. This is his first offense in 365 days. Mr. Nisonger is fined $500, or $300 if not
appealed, which is due within 10 days of this ruling. Mr. Nisonger has 48 hours to appeal
this decision to the OSRC.

SUGG, KURT D POLK, OH YOB 1969
ScD on 8/9/2024 FINED: $200
HORSE PLACED 8
IMPEDING THE PROGRESS OF ANOTHER HORSE

THARPS, DEVON J LEBANON, OH YOB 1993
HoP on 8/3/2024 FINED: $200
HORSE PLACED 6
TAKE UP ABRUPTLY/SIT DOWN IN FRONT OF HORSES CAUSING CONFUSION
AMONG TRAILING HORSES

Quote from GWChrome on August 18, 2024, 10:19 PM

Talking on the racetrack.  $100.  Stupidest rule ever.

Quote from Lonnie on August 18, 2024, 10:24 PM

Quote from GWChrome on August 18, 2024, 10:19 PM

Talking on the racetrack.  $100.  Stupidest rule ever.

It gives the wrong impression to the betting public, if there was a betting public.

Quote from GWChrome on August 18, 2024, 10:32 PM

I get it but do you really think they are discussing something nefarious minutes before the race.

Quote from Lonnie on August 18, 2024, 10:56 PM

Quote from GWChrome on August 18, 2024, 10:32 PM

I get it but do you really think they are discussing something nefarious minutes before the race.

Not at all.  It's just perception.  I'm sure they're just talking about where to eat after the races, or asking about the family.

Quote from Bgtolex25 on August 22, 2024, 11:09 AM

Quote from Porcupine on August 14, 2024, 10:01 PM

Thank you for this.  I'm a stickler for everyone following the rules.  I appreciate you highlighting some of them as well.  Can I assume that you will update this post every Friday?

Last night at Greenville, Ohio in the Gene Reigle Memorial with $35,000 on the line there was an egregious violation of the pylon rule by the leader turning for home.  The inside wheel looked to be two feet inside at least two pylons.  The horse went on to win by 3/4 of a length over the horse first up and pressing.  I am leaving out the names because it is immaterial, not for lack of transparency because you can look it up on USTA or watch the archived feed on YouTube on the OHHA account….maybe Lonnie or someone can supply the link.  I know it isn’t supposed to be hard, but I am challenged in the IT department.

It just brought up a myriad of questions and issues.  Please give your input.

1. The county fair venues have judges, but I am not clear how they are positioned.  It is highly unlikely that they are strategically placed around the track to cover the entire footage of the competition.

2. Unlike pari-mutual tracks, there is no track run video.  OHHA livestreams the Ohio fairs, but it is typically a single camera from the grandstand.  This is hardly something a judge can use in a timely manner or a high level of reliability.

These are the factual issues, and I wonder if there are solutions.

But what bothered me and at least a few others based on the Facebook and YouTube comments was the lack of accountability and then the silence from the broadcast booth on the matter.  It isn’t the first time that there has been cutting the corner at the fairs this year.  It would be nice to know if the racing commission or the fair racing associations are contemplating solutions.  One being placing a judge on that last turn.  

I am very disappointed that the OHHA broadcast team stayed mute on the issue.  These were no novices…Roger Huston, Jay Wolf, Matt Clark, and Susan Shroeder (sp?).  I have to believe they were aware.  First, it was obvious.  Then the comments, which they certainly follow based on all of their broadcast commentary.

I love the sport, but we need to be transparent and willing to address the issues.  A simple statement from the ruling body saying that they are looking into future remedies would satisfy me, for now.  Anyway, I will climb off my soapbox now.  I welcome your respectful thoughts and any enlightenment that you can bring to the forum.

Quote from Bgtolex25 on August 22, 2024, 1:27 PM

Roger Huston responded to one of the commentators late last night.  He confirmed the same rules apply at fairs as pari-mutual tracks in regards to the pylon rule but refrained further elaboration.