From the Los Alamitos Board of Stewards November 22:

“A hearing was held this morning in the Stewards’ office for outrider Juan Alferez, who was charged in a complaint filed by the CHRB for alleged violation of Rule #1902.5 – Animal Welfare. Present at the hearing besides the Board of Stewards were Mr. Alferez, Safety Steward Paul Atkinson, who appeared as a witness for the CHRB, and CHRB Investigator Stuart Ida, who presented the case.

“Mr. Alferez is alleged to have two pony horses in his care stabled at Los Alamitos that have open sores on their backs and appear to be under weight, the stalls were dirty with little bedding, water, and feed [emphasis mine]. The hearing was opened, testimony was taken, and exhibits were entered into the record.”

Five days later, the ruling came down:

“Outrider Juan Alferez is fined $500 and placed on probation for the term of his license (8/30/25) for violation of CHRB Rule #1902.5 – Animal Welfare.”

Justice, horseracing style.