2021 Breeders' Cup: Baird, Geroux fined $5,000 for whip violations

DEL MAR, Calif. – Jockeys E.T. Baird and Florent Geroux were fined $5,000 each by Del Mar stewards Grant Baker, Luis Jauregui, and Kim Sawyer over the weekend for excessive use of the whip in Breeders’ Cup races on Friday.

The fines are the heaviest financial penalties for single violations since tougher whip rules were enacted by the California Horse Racing Board in October 2020. Since then, riders competing in California have been limited to six underhand strikes in a race and are allowed two strikes before pausing to allow their mounts to respond.

Whips cannot be used in a motion that begins above the shoulder.

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Baird was cited for his ride on One Timer, who finished ninth in the Grade 2 Juvenile Turf Sprint at five furlongs. One Timer was second to the eighth pole before fading to finish two lengths behind winner Twilight Gleaming.

The stewards said Baird struck One Timer nine times, or three strikes more than the permitted amount.

Geroux was sanctioned for striking Juju’s Map seven times in the Juvenile Fillies, the stewards said. Juju’s Map finished second by 5 1/4 lengths to the heavily favored Echo Zulu.

Tom Eaves was fined $1,000 for raising his whip above his shoulder aboard Glass Slippers, who finished eighth in the Grade 1 Turf Sprint.

The stewards met with jockeys before racing on Friday and Saturday to discuss whip rules.

Both Baird and Geroux are expected to appeal.