Drafted, jockey penalized for whip misuse in Forego

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Drafted, the fifth-place finisher from Saturday’s Grade 1 Forego, was disqualified from purse earnings for the race and his jockey Luis Rodriguez-Castro was fined $500 and suspended three days for misuse of the whip.

According to New York Racing Association steward Brook Hawkins, Rodriguez-Castro hit Drafted 10 times with the whip, four more strikes than are allowed under rules put in place by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority [HISA]. Had Rodriguez-Castro hit Drafted seven to nine times - one to three more strikes than allowed - he would have received a one-day suspension, a $250 fine and there would have been no loss of purse.

The disqualification costs the connections $26,000. They have up until 10 days to appeal the decision, if they so choose, according to Hawkins.

Trainer David Duggan said he was still discussing the options with the ownership group, which includes Kevin Hilbert, Thomas O’Keefe, Dublin Fjord Stables and Racepoint Stables.

“It’s like being caught on camera speeding,” Duggan said. “It shows there’s a flaw in the system. He popped him three times quick. It’s not like he was trying to beat up the horse. I don’t think he abused the horse by no means.”

Rodriguez-Castro will serve his days Sept. 3-5. Rodriguez-Castro also gets five violation points, which will expire in nine months. Jockeys who accrue 11-15 violation points in a certain period of time receive a 7-day suspension.

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