OCEANPORT, New Jersey (Special for Turf Diario).- The brilliant victory by Journalism in last Saturday’s Haskell Stakes (G1) at Monmouth Park did not come without controversy. This week, New Jersey stewards handed jockey Umberto Rispoli a one-day suspension and a $6,000 finefor exceeding the crop limit while guiding the Curlin colt over the 1800 meters of the storied race.
First reported by Daily Racing Form and later confirmed in an official ruling posted on the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) website, Rispoli was cited for striking Journalism eight times, two more than the six permitted under HISA regulations, which enforce strict limits on the number of times a rider may use the crop during a race.
The penalty was issued under the rule stipulating a fine equal to 10% of the jockey’s share of purse earnings or $250, whichever is greater. In Rispoli’s case, his Haskell share amounted to $60,000, leading to the $6,000 fine.
In addition to the monetary penalty, the rule also mandates a one-day suspension, which Rispoli will serve on August 1. His agent, Matt Nakatani, confirmed to reporter Marcus Hersh that they will not appeal the ruling.
Rispoli piloted Journalism to a thrilling half-length victory over Gosger (Nyquist) with a powerful outside rally that reaffirmed the colt’s status as one of the top three-year-olds in training in the United States. Michael McCarthy trains Journalism for a partnership including Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Don Alberto Stable, Coolmore, and others.
This incident parallels what occurred in May’s Kentucky Derby (G1), when Junior Alvarado, aboard Sovereignty (Into Mischief), was also fined and suspended for exceeding crop limits during his narrow win over Journalism at Churchill Downs.
Such penalties are part of HISA’s ongoing effort to curb excessive crop use, particularly in high-profile, high-purse events. However, violations continue to surface, fueling debate over the system’s effectiveness and the fine line between competitive riding and adherence to regulatory limits.
For Rispoli, the suspension represents only a minor interruption in his calendar, but it reignites discussion on the intense pressure jockeys face in marquee races—and the challenges of complying with exacting crop rules when multimillion-dollar purses and glory are on the line.
