California becoming most restrictive state for riding crops

BETH HARRIS AP Racing Writer LOS ANGELES (AP) — Jockeys riding in California wouldn't be able to strike a horse to make it run faster or be allowed to whip in an overhand motion under a proposed amendment approved by the California Horse Racing Board on Thursday. The rule now goes to a 45-day public comment period after which the regulatory body would have to vote again. It could be months before the new rule takes effect. The rule would make California the most restrictive racing state for the use of crops, commonly called whips. It would amend a rule imposed earlier this year by the racing board that restricts jockeys from using their crop unless it's necessary to control a horse for safety reasons. In 2014, the board passed a rule that jockeys could strike a horse no more than th