Complaint filed over Crosby

Daniel Cassella, a co-owner of top sprinter Bordonaro, filed a complaint with California Horse Racing Board investigators at Del Mar on Wednesday, arguing that Bordonaro should have been promoted from second to first in Sunday's Bing Crosby Handicap because the horse was struck in the face with a whip in early stretch.

Cassella has little recourse because the racing board has no rule in place that allows it to reverse a stewards' decision on a disqualification. Cassella said that the complaint was designed to draw attention to poor camera angles used by the stewards in determining whether Bordonaro was fouled when struck by the whip of jockey Jon Court, who rode race winner Pure as Gold.

"It's more principle than anything," Cassella said. "The two-dollar bettor won't get his money back. I won't get any more money. I don't want the trophy."

Pure as Gold finished a half-length in front of Bordonaro. There was no inquiry into the race, but jockey Alex Solis, who rode Bordonaro, filed an objection, alleging interference. After a lengthy review, the stewards said their angles were inconclusive. A camera isolated on Bordonaro by the TVG network in early stretch showed the horse being struck, Cassella said.