McAnally Files Appeal Over Disqualification in Derby

Trainer Ron McAnally has filed an appeal with the Del Mar board of stewards over the disqualification of Tight Spot from first place in Sunday’s $300,000 Del Mar Derby.

After finishing first by three lengths, the 3-year-old colt was cited for crowding horses to his inside early in the 1 1/8-mile turf race. Tight Spot was relegated to last in the field of 10, and his jockey, Laffit Pincay, was suspended for five days as a result of the incident. Runner-up Itsallgreektome was awarded the victory.

McAnally, who said he had never appealed a race ruling in more than 30 years of training, has requested a formal hearing before stewards Hubert Jones, David Samuel and Mort Lipton.

“I realize that 99.9% of the time a stewards’ ruling stands,” McAnally said Tuesday. “I just want to hear them explain how they arrived at their decision and look at the tapes of the race from all the angles.”

If McAnally is not satisfied by the session with the local stewards, he has the option of continuing the appeal with the California Horse Racing Board. At stake is a first-place purse of $165,000 for owners Vern Winchell, Frank Whitham, Frank Anderson and Rick Corradini.