Jockey Boulanger suspended three days for whip-rule violations

ARCADIA, Calif. - Brandon Boulanger was suspended three days and three riders were fined $100 to $200 for recent violations of strict whip rules that went into effect Oct. 1 in California. The riders were cited for instances in races at Santa Anita on Oct. 4, and on Friday and Saturday.

Riders are limited to six under-handed strikes per race and no more than two strikes in succession without giving a horse a chance to respond. The rules were approved by the California Horse Racing Board in June and went into effect earlier this month.

Boulanger is suspended Oct. 16-18 for excessive use of the whip on August Indy, who finished last of seven in a maiden race on Oct. 4. According to a ruling issued by Santa Anita stewards Ron Church, Luis Jauregui, and Kim Sawyer, Boulanger was cited for using the whip when his mount had achieved its maximum placing, and for using the whip more than twice in succession and more than six times in the race.

Boulanger is the first rider to be suspended under the new rule.

Jockey Edwin Maldonado was fined $100 for using the whip more than six times in the fifth race on Friday aboard runner-up Principe Carlo.

Jose Velez was fined $300 for two instances of using the whip more than six times – aboard Sorriso, who finished 10th in the ninth race on Friday, and aboard Chollima, who finished fourth in the third race on Saturday. Velez was fined $100 for the first instance of excessive use and $200 for the second instance.

Heriberto Figueroa was fined $200 for his second offense of using the whip more than six times, aboard third-place finisher Lady On Ice in Saturday’s seventh race.