LOUISVILLE, Kentucky — The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission has fined but not suspended jockey Tyler Gaffalione $2,500 for his ride on Sierra Leone in the 150th Kentucky Derby horse race.
Gaffalione was fined for “touching a rival with his left hand” near the finish of the Derby.
During the final stretch, Sierra Leone and Japan’s Forever Young were bumping each other repeatedly. Video shows Gaffalione reach out and touch Forever Young with his left hand nearing the finish line, which is what led to the stewards decision.
The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission’s ruling was posted on its website. Gaffalione was aboard Sierra Leone, who finished second behind Mystik Dan.
The jockey touched Forever Young, who finished third at Churchill Downs last weekend, AP reported.
Sierra Leone lugged in and bumped Forever Young three times in the stretch, but jockey Ryusei Sakai didn´t claim foul.
Sierra Leone came in second in the photo finish with Forever Young coming in third.
After the Derby, the stewards determined there was no review needed, and pointed out that no objections were filed.
Chad Brown, who trains Sierra Leone, has said Gaffalione was trying to make room for his left-handed whip.
The stewards did not issue an inquiry on the race. However, they ordered Gaffalione to attend a film review of the race.
The stewards, in their discretion, can take disciplinary action against a jockey following the review. The 29-year-old rider was fined, but not suspended.
Gaffalione and Sierra Leone engaged Forever Young and jockey Ryusei Sakai in a physical battle while trying to catch Mystik Dan in the final furlong.
The horses made contact several times, and a photo appears to show Gaffalione making contact with Forever Young with his left hand.
“He wanted to lean in and made it a little difficult,” Gaffalione said after the race.
“I had a hard time keeping him straight, and that definitely cost us. He gives you everything, very responsive, but he loses concentration.”
Sakai did not claim foul after the race.
“Claims of foul do not happen much in Japan,” said Hiroshi Ando, racing manager for Forever Young trainer Yoshito Yahagi. “It is the stewards’ call, not us.”
Churchill Downs stewards did not post an inquiry sign after the Kentucky Derby.
The ruling explains: “After a hearing before the board of stewards, Tyler Gaffalione is hereby fined $2,500 for touching a rival with his left hand nearing the finish line while aboard Sierra Leone in the 12th race at Churchill Downs on May 4, 2024.
Upon receipt of this ruling, it is required within 30 days to pay any and all fines imposed by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission.”
The interaction between the two horses in the stretch run, which did not result in an inquiry before the race went official, prompted confusion and frustration from horseplayers and racing fans on social media, which were renewed with the announcement that Gaffalione would face no suspension.
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