January 2022 Thoroughbred Rulings - Maryland Racing Commission
DATE: January 17, 2022 TRACK: Laurel Park
STEWARDS: Adam Campola
Ross R Pearce
Russell G Derderian
RULINGS
#22-001 In the matter of Jockey Kevin Gomez, ruling #21-157;
On January 15, 2022, Kevin Gomez withdrew his appeal with the Maryland Racing Commission.
Mr. Gomez will serve three (3) Maryland racing days January 22, 23 and 27, 2022.
COMAR 09.10.01.45 AA (1) (2)
BY ORDER OF THE STEWARDS
DATE: January 17, 2022 TRACK: Laurel Park
STEWARDS: Adam Campola
Ross R Pearce
Russell G Derderian
RULINGS:
#22-002 In the matter of Jockey J D Acosta, ruling #21-142;
On January 15, 2022, J D Acosta withdrew his appeal with the Maryland Racing Commission.
Mr. Acosta will serve three (3) Maryland racing days January 30, February 3, and 4, 2022.
COMAR 09.10.01.45 AA (1) (2
BY ORDER OF THE STEWARDS
DATE: January 17, 2022 TRACK: Laurel Park
STEWARDS: Adam Campola
Ross R Pearce
Russell G Derderian
RULINGS:
#22-003 On November 25, 2021, the Stewards received notice from Industrial Laboratories that urine sample #32407, dated November 6, 2021, contained the drug tapentadol . The Stewards established that urine sample #32407 was taken from the horse “Bardolino”, owned by Mi Patria Racing and trained by Rodolfo Sanchez-Salomon, following the running of the first race at Laurel Park on November 6, 2021 . The Stewards notified Mr. Sanchez that: (1) the presence of tapentadol in the system of “Bardoloino” at the time the horse ran constituted a violation under COMAR 09.10.03.04 Drug Prohibition - Horses; (2) he had the right to have the split sample tested by an independent laboratory prior to the Stewards conducting a hearing in this matter; and (3) he had the right to be represented by counsel at the hearing.
The Stewards held a hearing on January 19, 2022, wherein Mr. Sanchez waived his right to a split sample and legal counsel.
Based upon the evidence before them, the Stewards find the following:
(1)“Bardolino” did have tapentadol, in its system when it finished first in the first race at Laurel Park on November 6, 2021, a violation under COMAR 09.10.03.04,C;
(2)) Rodolfo Sanchez, as trainer, was the absolute insurer of, and responsible for, the condition of “Bardolino” at the time the horse ran (Sections D & F);
(3) A horse found to have carried a drug in its body during a race may be disqualified and the purse monies earned by that horse redistributed and
(4) An individual found to have violated these Regulations may be subject to a fine issued by the Stewards of up to $2,500 and a suspension of any license issued by the Maryland Racing Commission of up to 360 days. COMAR 09.10.03.02, Section A.
Based upon the foregoing, and taking into consideration mitigating circumstances and the opinion Dr. Libby Daniel, the Equine Medical Director, the Stewards hereby order:
- Trainer Rodolfo Sanchez-Salomon be suspended Thirty (30) days. The suspension is stayed under the stipulation that he not have another Class 1 violation within a 365 day period.
(2) The horse “Bardolino”, be disqualified from the first race on November 6, 2021 at Laurel
Park.
The Horsemen’s Bookkeeper redistribute all purse monies for that race in accordance
with the following order:
OFFICIAL ORDER OF FINISH
1st Artistic Reason
2nd Flank Speed
3rd Power Back
4th Monster Mason
5th Magical Jaime
6th Gallant George
7th Super E
Bardolino- unplaced
A separate hearing was held to address the Multiple Medication Violation Point system, wherein mitigating circumstances were taken into consideration.
Trainer Rodolfo Sanchez-Salomon will be assigned Two (2) Multiple Medication Violation Points.
Comar 09.10.03.02 C
Note: As per COMAR 09.10.04.05, failure to pay a fine within 48 hours from being notified may result in a suspension of license.
BY ORDER OF THE STEWARDS
DATE: January 17, 2022 TRACK: Laurel Park
STEWARDS: Adam Campola
Ross R Pearce
Russell G Derderian
RULINGS:
#22-004 On October 27, 2021, the Stewards received notice from the Industrial Laboratories that blood sample #32135, dated October 10, 2021, contained the drug aminocaproic acid which is not permissible in a post race test. The Stewards established that blood sample #32135 was taken from the horse “Mandate”, owned by Bruno Schickedanz and trained by Robert Johnston, following the running of the seventh race at Laurel Park on October 10, 2021. The Stewards notified Mr. Johnston that: (1) the presence of aminocaproic acid in the system of “Mandate” at the time the horse ran constituted a violation under COMAR 09.10.03.04 Drug Prohibition - Horses; (2) He had the right to have the split sample tested by an independent laboratory prior to the Stewards conducting a hearing in this matter; and (3) He had the right to be represented by counsel at the hearing.
Mr. Johnston did exercise his right to the split sample testing. (COMAR 09.10.03.09 H 1, 2, & 3)
Upon receiving confirmation from UIC Analytical Forensic Testing Laboratory that aminocaproic acid is present in sample #32135 dated October 10, 2021, at a quantity level of 1.3 +/- 0.3 ug/ml.
The Stewards held a hearing on this matter January October 22, 2021 wherein Mr. Johnston was represented with legal counsel, Alan Pincus.
Based upon the evidence before them, the Stewards find the following:
(1) “Mandate” did carry aminocroic acid in its system when it finished first in the seventh race at
Laurel Park on October 10, 2021, a violation under COMAR 09.10.03.04, Section C;
(2) Robert Johnston, as trainer, was the absolute insurer of, and responsible for, the condition of “Mandate” at the time the horse ran (Sections D, E & F);
(3) A horse found to have carried a drug in its body during a race may be disqualified and the purse monies earned by that horse redistributed and
Based upon the evidence presented at the hearing and taking into account mitigating circumstances, the Stewards hereby order that:
(1) The horse “Mandate”, be disqualified from the seventh race on October 10, 2021 at Laurel
Park.
(2) The Horsemen’s Bookkeeper redistribute all purse monies for that race in accordance
with the following order:
OFFICIAL ORDER OF FINISH
1st English Tavern
2nd You Must Chill
3rd Atreyu
4th Just Whistle
5th Heza Kitten
6th Clint Maroon
7th Mokheef
8th Posterity
Mandate- unplaced
A Separate hearing was held wherein Trainer Robert Johnston will be assigned one half (1/2) Multiple Medication Violation Point.
COMAR 09.10.03.04
BY ORDER OF THE STEWARDS
DATE: January 26, 2022 TRACK: Laurel Park
STEWARDS: Adam Campola
Ross R Pearce
Russell G Derderian
RULINGS:
#22-005 Jockey, Bryson Butterfly is fined Two hundred and Fifty dollars ($250.00) for violating the
riding crop rule, in the fourth race at Laurel Park on January 22, 2022.
COMAR 09.10.01.45 H
BY ORDER OF THE STEWARDS
DATE: January 26, 2022 TRACK: Laurel Park
STEWARDS: Adam Campola
Ross R Pearce
Russell G Derderian
RULINGS:
#22-006 In the matter of stable employee Joseph Beazley. On January 21, 2022, Mr. Beazley was
requested to deliver a urine sample by the MRC Investigators. Mr. Beazley did not submit a urine sample but did admit to drug use.
COMAR 09.10.03.05 A(1)(a)(i).
A hearing was held on January 21, 2021. Mr. Beazley appeared in the absence of counsel and waived his right thereto. Based upon the testimony and evidence presented at the hearing, the Stewards found Joseph Beazley in violation of COMAR 09.10.03.05 Drug Prohibition-Humans.
Accordingly, the Stewards hereby order:
(1) That the license issued to Joseph Beazley be suspended until such time as he has been
professionally evaluated [COMAR 09.10.03.05, F(1)].
(2) That while he is under suspension, Mr. Beazley be denied the privileges of all the grounds
under the jurisdiction of the Maryland Racing Commission.
COMAR 09.10.01.45, 'Y (1) (a)
Date: January 28, 2022 TRACK: Laurel Park
STEWARDS: Adam Campola
Ross R Pearce
Russell G Derderian
RULINGS:
#22-007 In the matter of owner, Magic Oaks, subject, of Steward’s Ruling #21-178. Having satisfied
their financial obligation to the Maryland Thoroughbred Purse Account as of November 26,
2021 the afore mentioned 0wnership is reinstated to good standing with the Maryland
Racing Commission and declared eligible to participate in racing.
BY ORDER OF THE STEWARDS
Date: January 28, 2022 TRACK: Laurel Park
STEWARDS: Adam Campola
Ross R Pearce
Russell G Derderian
RULINGS:
#22-008 In the matter of owner, Joseph Imbesi, subject, of Steward’s Ruling #21-173. Having satisfied
his financial obligation to the Maryland Thoroughbred Purse Account as of November 26,
2021 the afore mentioned 0wnership is reinstated to good standing with the Maryland
Racing Commission and declared eligible to participate in racing.
BY ORDER OF THE STEWARDS
DATE: January 30, 2022 TRACK: Laurel Park
STEWARDS: Adam Campola
Ross R Pearce
Russell G Derderian
RULINGS:
#22-009 On December 2, 2021, the Stewards received notice from Industrial Laboratories that blood sample #32480, dated November 13, 2021, contained the drug D-methamphetamine . The Stewards established that blood sample #32480 was taken from the horse “DeJohn”, owned and trained by Mario Serey, Jr., following the running of the first race at Laurel Park on November 13, 2021 . The Stewards notified Mr. Serey that: (1) the presence of D-methamphetamine in the system of “DeJohn” at the time the horse ran constituted a violation under COMAR 09.10.03.04 Drug Prohibition - Horses; (2) he had the right to have the split sample tested by an independent laboratory prior to the Stewards conducting a hearing in this matter; and (3) he had the right to be represented by counsel at the hearing.
The Stewards held a hearing on January 29, 2022, wherein Mr. Serey waived his right to a split sample and legal counsel.
Based upon the evidence before them, the Stewards find the following:
(1)“DeJohn” did have D-methamphetamine, in its system when it finished first in the first race at Laurel Park on November 13, 2021, a violation under COMAR 09.10.03.04,C;
(2)) Mario Serey, Jr., as trainer, was the absolute insurer of, and responsible for, the condition of “DeJohn” at the time the horse ran (Sections D & F);
(3) A horse found to have carried a drug in its body during a race may be disqualified and the purse monies earned by that horse redistributed and
(4) An individual found to have violated these Regulations may be subject to a fine issued by the Stewards of up to $2,500 and a suspension of any license issued by the Maryland Racing Commission of up to 360 days. COMAR 09.10.03.02, Section A.
Based upon the foregoing, and taking into consideration mitigating circumstances and the opinion Dr. Libby Daniel, the Equine Medical Director, the Stewards hereby order:
- Trainer Mario Serey, Jr. be suspended Fifteen (15) days. The suspension is stayed under the stipulation that he not have another Class 1 violation within a 365 day period.
(2) The horse “DeJohn”, be disqualified from the first race on November 13, 2021 at Laurel
Park.
The Horsemen’s Bookkeeper redistribute all purse monies for that race in accordance
with the following order:
OFFICIAL ORDER OF FINISH
1st Pet’s Night
2nd Just Pick One
3rd Boss is a Pal
4th Tradition
5th Bold Trek
6th Inject the Light
7th Cosa Mas Linda
8th Street Prayer
9th Artillery
DeJohn- unplaced
A separate hearing was held to address the Multiple Medication Violation Point system, wherein mitigating circumstances were taken into consideration.
Trainer Mario Serey, Jr. will be assigned One (1) Multiple Medication Violation Point.
Comar 09.10.03.02 C
Note: As per COMAR 09.10.04.05, failure to pay a fine within 48 hours from being notified may result in a suspension of license.
BY ORDER OF THE STEWARDS