LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) – Jockey Cristian Torres was fined a total of $5,000 and suspended for five Kentucky racing days after stewards ruled he exceeded HISA’s riding crop limits in both the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby.
According to rulings issued by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority, Torres struck his mounts more times than the permitted six uses of the riding crop in each race. Torres appealed both rulings and requested a stay of the suspensions pending those appeals.
Torres was fined $2,000 and suspended for Kentucky racing days May 17 and May 21 for his ride aboard Search Party in the Kentucky Oaks. Stewards ruled Torres struck the filly eight times during her 10th-place finish, two over the limit.
He also was fined $3,000 and suspended for racing days May 24, 25 and 28 for his ride aboard Robusta in the Kentucky Derby. Stewards determined Torres used the crop seven times aboard the 14th-place finisher, one over the limit.
Under HISA regulations, jockeys who exceed the crop-use limit by one to three strikes face a fine of $250 or 10 percent of their share of purse earnings — whichever is greater — along with a one-day suspension. Penalties escalate for repeat violations within a 180-day period.
According to HISA records, Torres’ previous violation came March 27 at Oaklawn Park aboard Texas Sequoia, making the Oaks and Derby rulings his second and third offenses within that 180-day window.
Another Kentucky Derby jockey, Atsuya Nishimura, was also penalized after stewards ruled he struck fifth-place finisher Danon Bourbon seven times in the Derby — one over the limit.
Nishimura was fined $1,000 and suspended for one Kentucky racing day on May 7. The Derby was his first race in the United States.
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