Pierce suspended 10 days for whipping at Red Mile

Driver Ron Pierce has been given a 10-day suspension by The Red Mile stewards for violation of the whipping rule Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 29, during the stretch drive of one of the Bluegrass divisions for 2-year-old filly trotters. The offense is appealable, but one has not yet been filed by Thursday afternoon for the suspension which is scheduled to begin Sunday, Oct. 4, and run through Tuesday, Oct. 13. That would mean Pierce would miss the second week of Grand Circuit racing at the Kentucky track.

 

According to the ruling, Pierce was penalized for violating the one-handed whipping rule in the stretch while driving Costa Rica to a second-place finish behind Croquet Style in the $87,625 Bluegrass division. The Red Mile's presiding steward, Rich Williams, told harnessracing.com that Pierce's whipping was "not excessive" but he was still in violation of the rule. Williams added that with the draws at The Red Mile complete through Saturday, the suspension won't start until Sunday.

 

Ironically, Costa Rica was the filly who was moved from first to second in a Peaceful Way elimination at Mohawk just a few weeks earlier when driver Trevor Ritchie was found to be in violation of Ontario's whipping rule. Ontario regulations provide for the placing of a horse whose driver was found to be in violation; Kentucky rules do not have that stipulation.

 

According to Williams, Pierce's whipping suspension was the fourth handed out this year at The Red Mile. Williams said Jan Johnson already served a five-day suspension (and $500 fine), and Billy Herman and Chuck Neff both served 10-day suspensions. Johnson's penalty came prior to a change in the penalties that calls for a first offense of the rule to be a 10-day suspension.

 

Also, although driver Peter Wrenn had hoped he would receive an Indiana court injunction in regards to a 30-day suspension for an "unsatisfactory drive" in August at Indiana Downs, he remains on the sidelines during Grand Circuit racing at The Red Mile. Wrenn is still able to train horses and be on the grounds; the suspension is strictly for driving.