Management at Los Alamitos forwarded to the California Horse Racing Board e-mails from racing fans regarding the fourth race contested on Saturday, April 4 and the ensuing disqualification of #8 by the racing stewards. Mike Marten, the public information of the California Horse Racing Board, responded to the e-mail questions received and provided Los Alamitos management with the following from Darrel McHargue, the California Horse Racing Board chief steward. Mr. McHargue reviewed the matter and issued the following opinion:

“I REVIEWED THE 4TH RACE, RAN ON 4/4/20, AT LOS ALAMITOS AND I SPOKE WITH ONE OF THE STEWARDS. AFTER REVIEWING ALL THE RECORDED VIEWS I AGREE WITH THE STEWARDS DECISION TO DISQUALIFY THE #8 HORSE FOR INTERFERENCE ON THE TURN. EACH VIEW,THE 3/8TH POLE, 1/4 POLE AND THE PAN SHOT PROVIDE YOU WITH EVIDENCE AS TO WHY THE #8 HORSE WAS DISQUALIFIED. THE 3/8 VIEW SHOWS:  #8 RACING ABOUT 3 HORSE PATHS OFF THE INSIDE FENCE GOING INTO THE TURN WITH #5 RACING ON IT’S OUTSIDE NEAR IT’S REAR QUARTERS AND #7 ON THE OUTSIDE NEAR THE REAR QUARTERS OF #5 THE 1/4 POLE VIEW SHOWS:  #8 SHIFT OUTWARD ABOUT MID TURN AND FORCE #5 OUTWARD INTO THE PATH OF #7, CAUSING #7 TO STUMBLE AND ALMOST LOSE IT’S JOCKEY, AFTER CATCHING THE HEELS OF #5. THE PAN SHOT CLEARLY SHOWS #8 NEVER HAD SUFFICIENT CLEARANCE WHEN IT SHIFTED OUT ON #5 AND #7 WAS NEVER CLEAR OF THE HEELS OF #5. IN MY OPINION, ALL THE RECORDED VIEWS OF THE RACE SUPPORT THE STEWARDS DECISION TO DISQUALIFY #8 FOR INTERFERENCE.”

            We hope this explanation clarifies the reasoning of the stewards when making their decision. Any additional questions can be sent to larace@losalamitos.com.