Federal authority clears Hot Rod Charlie in Lukas Classic win

Trainer Doug O’Neill did not break rules against horseshoe toe grabs when Hot Rod Charlie won the Grade 2 Lukas Classic on Oct. 1 at Churchill Downs, the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority ruled Tuesday.

HISA endorsed the findings of Kentucky Horse Racing Commission stewards who conducted an investigation this month. “The stewards concluded that Hot Rod Charlie was not in violation of HISA’s horseshoe rules,” according to a written statement from HISA on Tuesday.

“I’m reviewing the HISA and stewards’ findings (and) report,” Rich Strike’s owner Rick Dawson, whose colt stood to benefit from a disqualification of Hot Rod Charlie, said in an email to racing media Tuesday night. “Without access to the information uncovered in their investigation, it would be premature for me to make a fact-based comment.”

“We’re trying to understand the decision,” Rich Strike’s trainer Eric Reed told Horse Racing Nation on Tuesday night. “The decision has nothing to do with me as the trainer of the horse. It was basically to do with Doug O’Neill and the stewards and the (KHRC) and HISA.”

O’Neill did not immediately respond to a texted request for reaction to the decision.

The KHRC investigation came after a trainer not involved with the Lukas Classic sent a Jamie Newell photo to Reid, Rich Strike’s owner Rick Dawson and media outlets, including HRN. The photo and others subsequently examined from Eclipse Sportswire appeared to show Hot Rod Charlie fitted with toe grabs on his front shoes.

Without mentioning specific evidence or statements from the connections who may have been interviewed, a HISA statement Tuesday said, “After an independent review of the documents and related evidence submitted by the stewards, HISA has determined that the investigation was well-conducted and thorough and agrees with the conclusion of the stewards.”

At the time the photos came to light, Reed said, “Every horse in that race was at an unfair disadvantage.” He said he and Dawson made a formal protest to the KHRC.

The KHRC’s resulting investigation was forwarded to HISA, who considered the Kentucky stewards to have acted on its behalf.

“The allegation in question concerns a violation of HISA shoeing regulations and remains under HISA’s jurisdiction,” a KHRC spokesperson said last Monday. “Consequently, any additional information will be available through HISA.”

When the photos came to light, O’Neill said in an Oct. 4 social-media post, “I swear on a stack of Bibles that none of the horses in our stable wear toe grabs, and have not for years. ... My only thought is that the photo is a weird reflection or is a result of being altered.”

All the photographers denied altering any of their work. HRN posted Eclipse Sportswire photos and magnified them without changing the images.

“Rick has the opportunity to appeal if he feels it’s necessary,” Reed told HRN on Tuesday night.

Toe grabs improve traction the same way cleats do on human shoes. They have been prohibited by HISA, the KHRC and other racing authorities because of studies showing they put added stress on horses’ legs and hooves. They are allowed only on hind shoes in dirt races.