andymays
08-09-2010, 05:44 PM
For those of you that have never read this stuff there are some interesting actions in here.
The full report is attached.
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REYES HEARING
A hearing was held into complaint #10HP090 filed by the Board against jockey Christian Santiago Reyes for violation of California Horse Racing Board rules #1682 (Weighing Out) and #1684 (Items Included in Weight). Specifically, the complaint alleged that on June 6, 2010, while weighing out for the first race, Reyes was observed by Clerk of Scales Ruben Hernandez to have a bulge in the knee area of his riding pants. Hernandez felt the area around the knee and felt what appeared to him to be a one pound lead weight, leading Hernandez to believe that Reyes was attempting to beat the scales.
Present at the hearing were the Board of Stewards (Ward, Chaney, Sawyer); Associate Steward Luis Jauregui; the charged party, Christian Santiago Reyes; his counsel, Bing Bush, and certified interpreter Daniel Tigueros. Presenting the case for the Board were Investigator James Hamilton and Supervising Investigator William Westermann. Barbara Weinstein recorded the proceedings.
Clerk of Scales Ruben Hernandez was called as the State’s first witness. He testified that he has been a Clerk of Scales for five to six years. He explained the weighing out process, stating that riders step on the scales and either add or subtract weight as needed. There are two ways to add weight; either through weighted pads of from one to six pounds, or with lead weights, which weigh between one half and two pounds. The pads are placed on the back of the horse along with the saddle while lead weights are placed in pockets in the saddle. During the weighing out process for the first race, Reyes was two pounds light of the 118 lb. assignment when he first stepped on the scale. Mr. Hernandez asked him to step off and told his valet that he, Reyes, needed two additional pounds. When Reyes approached the scales for a second time, Hernandez observed a bulge in Reyes’ jockey pants in the left knee area. Hernandez felt the area and it appeared to him that the bulge was a one-pound lead weight. His assumption was based on the size, shape, and weight of the object. He then asked Reyes what was in the pants and was told “one”. He took this to mean a one-pound weight. Hernandez said that there was no doubt in his mind that lead was in the pants even though he did not ask Reyes to remove the object in his presence. He told Reyes to remove the object and return to the scales. The third time he checked, the weight was correct. Hernandez then allowed the saddle to be taken to the paddock. The horse, #1 Jenny Jenny Emily, ultimately finished last in a field of seven horses.
Under cross-examination, Hernandez testified that Assistant Clerk of Scales Charles McCaul was in close proximity to the scales and also observed the bulge. Counsel asked Hernandez why he did not demand that Reyes take the weight out of his pants and hand it to him. His response was that in hindsight he should have, but he was so shocked and upset that he never gave it a thought.
Reyes’ counsel asked if interviews were recorded. When told that they were, he requested a copy. The hearing was subsequently terminated and set over until August 8, so that counsel could have ample opportunity to review the documents.
The full report is attached.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REYES HEARING
A hearing was held into complaint #10HP090 filed by the Board against jockey Christian Santiago Reyes for violation of California Horse Racing Board rules #1682 (Weighing Out) and #1684 (Items Included in Weight). Specifically, the complaint alleged that on June 6, 2010, while weighing out for the first race, Reyes was observed by Clerk of Scales Ruben Hernandez to have a bulge in the knee area of his riding pants. Hernandez felt the area around the knee and felt what appeared to him to be a one pound lead weight, leading Hernandez to believe that Reyes was attempting to beat the scales.
Present at the hearing were the Board of Stewards (Ward, Chaney, Sawyer); Associate Steward Luis Jauregui; the charged party, Christian Santiago Reyes; his counsel, Bing Bush, and certified interpreter Daniel Tigueros. Presenting the case for the Board were Investigator James Hamilton and Supervising Investigator William Westermann. Barbara Weinstein recorded the proceedings.
Clerk of Scales Ruben Hernandez was called as the State’s first witness. He testified that he has been a Clerk of Scales for five to six years. He explained the weighing out process, stating that riders step on the scales and either add or subtract weight as needed. There are two ways to add weight; either through weighted pads of from one to six pounds, or with lead weights, which weigh between one half and two pounds. The pads are placed on the back of the horse along with the saddle while lead weights are placed in pockets in the saddle. During the weighing out process for the first race, Reyes was two pounds light of the 118 lb. assignment when he first stepped on the scale. Mr. Hernandez asked him to step off and told his valet that he, Reyes, needed two additional pounds. When Reyes approached the scales for a second time, Hernandez observed a bulge in Reyes’ jockey pants in the left knee area. Hernandez felt the area and it appeared to him that the bulge was a one-pound lead weight. His assumption was based on the size, shape, and weight of the object. He then asked Reyes what was in the pants and was told “one”. He took this to mean a one-pound weight. Hernandez said that there was no doubt in his mind that lead was in the pants even though he did not ask Reyes to remove the object in his presence. He told Reyes to remove the object and return to the scales. The third time he checked, the weight was correct. Hernandez then allowed the saddle to be taken to the paddock. The horse, #1 Jenny Jenny Emily, ultimately finished last in a field of seven horses.
Under cross-examination, Hernandez testified that Assistant Clerk of Scales Charles McCaul was in close proximity to the scales and also observed the bulge. Counsel asked Hernandez why he did not demand that Reyes take the weight out of his pants and hand it to him. His response was that in hindsight he should have, but he was so shocked and upset that he never gave it a thought.
Reyes’ counsel asked if interviews were recorded. When told that they were, he requested a copy. The hearing was subsequently terminated and set over until August 8, so that counsel could have ample opportunity to review the documents.