A portion of the purse of a $10,000 claiming race at Del Mar last August was ordered redistributed by Santa Anita stewards earlier this month, citing a Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority rule regarding excessive use of the whip.
Riders are allowed to strike a horse six times during a race. Jockey Armando Aguilar was cited for using his whip 11 times, according to a complaint filed by the California Horse Racing board on Aug. 28, four days after the race.
Fast Service finished third and earned $3,120 of the $28,000 purse. According to a ruling published earlier this month, owner Battle Born Racing, trainer Antonio Garcia and Aguilar have been ordered to return their shares of the prize money.
Fast Service, a 6-year-old gelding, now races in New Mexico where he finished second in a $10,000 claimer for non-winners of two at Sunland Park on Jan. 11.
Aguilar was given a six-day suspension in September and fined $1,000 for the infraction.
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