Just a “tumble”, huh? – Mistakes in horse racing

The morally challenged track announcer at Evangeline described what happened to Aunt Row on Thursday as a “tumble” – and he even doubled down on that word:

Then this week’s series of whipping (read: cruelty) “violations” from the harness world…

Hawthorne, December 7: “Driver Matt Avenatti is hereby ordered to pay a civil penalty of $200 for excessive use of the whip while riding with Alvin Hanover.”

Same track, same day, same last name (brother): “Driver Wyatt Avenatti is hereby assessed a civil penalty of $200 for excessive use of the whip while driving with Keyser Soze.”

Monticello, December 9: “Driver Bryan Emanuel Quevedo is hereby fined $100 for using the whip after the finish while riding with Ynotthishos.”

Yonkers, December 10: “Driver Colin Kelly I used the whip more than 3 times in a row on a horse [Pink Floyd Hanover] that did not visibly react. Kelly is hereby suspended for seven days and fined $500.”

Monticello, December 11: “Driver Daniel Harvey is hereby fined $250 and suspended for 3 days for excessive use of the whip while driving with Rollover Baythoven.”

Rosecroft, Dec 11: “Driver Deshawn Sample fined $100 excessive use of the whip after the 3/4 pole and in the course while driving with A Rooma Zoom Zoom.”

And finally this for driver Frank Tsipouras at Harrah’s, October 26:

“Frank Tsipouras had an exaggerated insistent movement that was not limited to just wrist and elbow movements and raised his arm above shoulder height during the stretch while riding Uncle Coz in the 5th race. Also in the 7th race, while riding Cheese Omelet, Mr. Tsipouras was… as he swung the lines over the back of his horse in a careless and reckless manner. Mr Tsipouras has been suspended for 60 days.”

They added: “This is Mr. Tsipouras’ seventh offense in 2025. Future offenses will result in more severe penalties.”

“Urgent.”

But wait, there’s more. Same issue, November 30: “Frank Tsipouras had an exaggerated whip action, not limited to just elbow and wrist action, and raised his arm above shoulder height during the stretch while riding Drinkin Again. Mr. Tsipouras has been fined $1,000 and suspended for six months.” And again they add: “This is it 1766327486 Mr. Tsipouras’s eighth offense of whipping or urging in 2025. Future offenses of whipping or urging will result in more severe penalties.”

This is horse racing.

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