Quarter Horse Jockey Billed With Felony Linked To Buzzer – Horse Racing News

by Natalie Voss|01.27.202301.27.2023|11:49am11:51am

Danjer and jockey Cody Rodger Smith acquire the Lender of The us Problem Championship (G1) at Horseshoe Indianapolis on Oct. 22, 2022

A month soon after currently being summarily suspended by the Oklahoma Horse Racing Fee, jockey Cody Rodger Smith has been billed with a felony relevant to use of a buzzer in a horse race on Nov. 15, 2022.

Smith was billed on Jan. 24 and arrested the following day, in accordance to online court docket records. He has since produced his $2,000 bond. His arraignment is scheduled for Jan. 31 in Roger County District Court docket.

A possible induce affidavit dated Jan. 5 narrated the investigation carried out by regulation enforcement. Smith rode Zbars Are living Wire to victory in the Quality 1 Speedhorse Paint and Appaloosa Futurity at Will Rogers Downs in Claremore, Okla., on Nov. 15. Afterwards, law enforcement were contacted by the operator of Speedhorse journal, which had a photographer on web-site for the occasion. According to the affidavit, the photographer’s illustrations or photos “show a substantial bulge in Cody’s left gloved hand with two metal prongs protruding from the glove, which is steady with an digital machine.”

Supplemental picture proof from the formal monitor photographer showed the exact define and prongs protruding from Smith’s gloved hand.

The Speedhorse photographer explained to law enforcement that just after she posted her illustrations or photos on social media “Haley Luneack contacted her to take the image off experience reserve [sic] as it shows the device.”

In accordance to her Facebook profile, Luneack is in a romantic relationship with Smith.

The affidavit went on to condition that police interviewed Luneack, who stated “she gained several messages from other men and women pointing out the system in Cody’s glove.”

In an job interview with police Smith mentioned “it’s not what it seems like,” according to the affidavit.

“Cody later on admitted to using the buzzer with him when he remaining the jockeys’ room after the races,” the affidavit said.

Smith was summarily suspended in December for “conduct detrimental to horse racing, possession of contraband, and prohibited use of products.” The stewards denied an appeal of Smith’s summary suspension on Dec. 12 and he has not ridden since.

Smith is 1 of the top rated Quarter Horse riders in the region, acquiring been rated 24th by earnings in 2022 and fourth in 2019.