The Remington Park board of stewards has issued two rulings concerning a case of mistaken horse identity in two races at the Oklahoma City track in September. Collateral Kitten and Onemorefastdance have been disqualified from their placings and earnings in the races that were run Sept. 4 and Sept. 16. 

The mix-up came to light following the Sept. 16 race in which Collateral Kitten was listed as the official winner of the fifth race, but Onemorefastdance actually ran. Karl Broberg, who trains both horses, confirmed to Daily Racing Form on Sept. 17 that the mix-up happened and said it was found following the race in the test barn. The case was first reported by The Paulick Report on a tip from the breeder of Onemorefastdance, John Lowder. In the eighth race Sept. 4, Onemorefastdance was listed as the fourth-place finisher, but Collateral Kitten actually ran, according to the ruling provided by the Oklahoma Racing Commission.

A hearing for Broberg was held Tuesday, but the stewards have not yet issued a ruling, according to Kelly Cathey, executive director of the Oklahoma Racing Commission.

The owners of both horses pled no contest in the case and waived their right to a hearing, according to the rulings.

 Cathey emailed the following statement to Daily Racing Form on Wednesday:

 “The Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission staff has completed the investigative portion of the matter regarding recently misidentified horses. These events brought forth a review of longstanding procedures and protocols which have since been revised to better ensure shortfalls such as these do not occur in the future. Both the identifier and the steward acting as identifier were suspended for seven working days without pay, beginning immediately after the September 16th incident.

“While we cannot comment on the actions of the trainer and his staff prior to the scheduled stewards hearing, the OHRC takes responsibility for its role in these matters.  Myself and staff members understand we are charged with protecting the public, as well as industry participants from intentional or inadvertent violations of our rules. 

“On behalf of the OHRC, I extend our sincerest apologies to all who may have been negatively affected by these events and assure them that our duty to provide the highest standard of regulation over racing at all race tracks will be met."

For background: http://www.drf.com/news/broberg-sends-out-wrong-horse-win-race

More to come at www.drf.com