More On Placing Of Angostura

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Published: September 15, 2009 02:47 pm EDT

Last night's Peaceful Way eliminations at Mohawk Racetrack yielded the first major placing in Ontario since the new urging rule came into effect, when Trevor Ritchie-driven Angostura finished first but was placed last

. Ritchie gave his trotter minimal urging in the stretch but did take both his lines in his left hand while flicking the whip at his horse with the other.

Contrary to earlier reports, Trot Insider has learned that the appeal was not filed by Ritchie but was filed by trainer Dan Creighton. Ritchie would not go into specifics on the matter citing that the appeal had yet to be heard.

Ontario Racing Commission Senior Judge Jeff Minler was the judge for last night's races at Mohawk. Minler told Trot Insider that the judges lit the inquiry sign on the race before the wire to review Ritchie's drive. After the races, Minler did encounter a few unhappy patrons.

"I talked to a few patrons about the race later in the night and after I explained the new ORC rules to them they understood why we did what we did."

Minler also clarified one point about the placing of the horse to last, and that it was contingent on Ritchie using the whip and striking his mount while holding his lines in one hand.

"If a driver strikes the horse with the whip while holding both lines that's an automatic disqualification," confirmed Minler.

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