Disqualified Horse’s Owner Files Appeal

The owner of Allijeba, the horse that was disqualified after winning Sunday’s $250,000 Final Fourteen Stakes at Bay Meadows in San Mateo, near San Francisco, has appealed the stewards’ decision to the California Horse Racing Board.

Larry Robideaux Jr., who trains Allijeba, said Monday that Robert Allensworth, owner of the 4-year-old gelding, was told the board would respond to his protest within 72 hours. A hearing into the controversy is expected.

Allijeba, the only horse Allensworth owns, beat Tex’s Zing by a nose. After the race, the weight of Ricky Frazier, Allijeba’s jockey, and his riding equipment totaled 123 1/2 pounds, which was 2 1/2 pounds less than the horse was required to carry.

Besides disqualifying Allijeba, the stewards also declared him a non-starter, which resulted in a refund of bets on the horse.