Drone technology aids Los Alamitos stewards in disqualification

CYPRESS, Calif. - Los Alamitos stewards Luis Jauregui, Kim Sawyer, and Richard Williams used drone technology in their decision to disqualify race winner Jamming Eddy from first to fifth in Sunday’s fourth race.

After a brief inquiry, Jamming Eddy was disqualified for crowding Barristan The Bold and Fratelli on the turn of a maiden race for $35,000 to $40,000 claimers at 5 1/2 furlongs. A drone camera used for coverage on TVG showed the incident more clearly than the head-on and conventional camera angles stewards have used for decades.

During Sunday’s inquiry, the angle from the drone was repeatedly displayed on the track’s television system. Drone coverage began at Southern California tracks earlier this year.

“We use it when we think it will help to make a decision,” Sawyer said.

Jauregui described the drone angle as “an extra tool for us.”

Williams, who previously worked as a steward at the Los Alamitos evening meeting for Quarter Horses and lower-level Thoroughbreds, said in the case of Sunday’s fourth race that the drone angle provided ample evidence to change the order of finish.

“To me, that makes a tough decision easy,” Williams said.