Castellano Fined

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by cmorioles

You can't tell me that people aren't disgruntled that bet on that horse. Some might take off a few weeks. Some might do nothing. But in any case, it makes the game look terrible. The amount of the fine doesn't matter much to fans, but it might matter to the riders. Fining him two grand is a joke, even to Javier. You really think that will make him think twice?

The only thing that saves horses racing is hardly anybody is watching anyway. If they were, that would have been all over Sportscenter.

I can say for certainty that if people are willing to walk away because of jockeys mistakes or poor rides or errors in judgement than we are worse shape than I thought.

If he had cost a placing than no doubt a fine would be far too soft of a penalty. 60 days would not be out of line. But it didnt and that has to be a factor. There is nothing that can keep people from making a mistake. IMO it is a far greater sin for a jock to wrap up late and cost a placing than what Castellano did yesterday. That is complete disregard for the connections and the people who bet the race. I banned Albarado for life for doing that very thing in a freakin stakes race at Keeneland some years ago.

Guys like Castellano are making a lot of money but you cant penalize some jocks more because they make more. One of the big problems this sport has is that a few are making a killing while most everyone else is struggling despite being on the same circuit, under the same rules. It makes it hard to apply standards. In real sports the game checks are much bigger for the stars so a 5 game suspension costs the star player far more than the bit player. But in racing that system doesnt apply which makes it a lot harder.