Hollywood Park: New rule used for first time to void claim of unsound horse

INGLEWOOD, Calif. – A $10,000 claim submitted for race winner Plenny of Henny in Sunday’s first race at Betfair Hollywood Park was voided after the 4-year-old gelding was ruled to be unsound in the receiving barn after the race, stewards said.

It was the first time that a new rule that took effect last Thursday was utilized, voiding the claim of a horse who dies on the racetrack or is found to be unsound by the official or state veterinarian immediately after the race. The California Horse Racing Board passed the rule earlier this year.

Plenny of Henny was observed to be unsound in the backstretch test barn after Sunday’s first race and was placed on the veterinarian’s list by state veterinarian Tim Grande, according to steward Kim Sawyer. As a result, Plenny of Henny remains in the possession of a partnership and trainer Bill Spawr and was not transferred to owners Phil Bongiovanni and Mary Ellen West and trainer Ted H. West, who submitted the claim.

The transfer to the new stable would have taken place after Plenny of Henny left the test barn, Sawyer said.

“This is the first time we’ve had it implemented,” Sawyer said. “We voided it on the recommendation of the state vet when he informed us that the horse would go on the vet’s list.”

Plenny of Henny won Sunday’s first race by 2 1/4 lengths, closing from seventh in a field of eight. Plenny of Henny, the 2-1 favorite, has won 6 of 19 starts and $148,250.