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October 2021 Thoroughbred Rulings - Maryland Racing Commission

DATE: October 2, 2021 TRACK: Laurel Park

RULINGS:
#21-151 Trainer Crystal Pickett is fined Five Hundred ($500.) for submitting an unwarranted scratch on her horse “Now I’m Broke”, entered to run in the first race at Laurel Park on October 2, 2021.

(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: October 9, 2021 TRACK: Laurel Park

RULINGS:
#21-152 Jockey Tais Lyapustina is fined fifty dollars ($50.) for failure to appear at the video review after being informed by the Stewards to attend.

[Violation of COMAR 09.10.01.45-H]

BY ORDER OF THE STEWARDS

 

DATE: October 8, 2021 TRACK: Laurel Park
RULINGS:
#21-153 In the ninth race at Laurel Park on October 7, 2021, horse #7 “Influential”, ridden by jockey
Julian Pimentel was disqualified from fourth position and placed fifth. Inside the 1/8th pole,#7
“Influential” while racing greenly, comes in and bumps #4 “Grey Giant”, ridden by
jockey Tais Lyapustina, forcing Jockey Lyapustina to take up and alter course.

COMAR 09.10.01.50 A (1)(b)(e) which states in pertinent parts: “A horse may not (b) Cross or weave in front of another horse without sufficient clearance; (e) Impede another horse]

OFFICAL ORDER OF FINISH
1st Lacco Ameno
2nd Silk War
3rd The Happy Giant
4th Grey Giant
5th Influential


BY ORDER OF THE STEWARDS


DATE: October 8, 2021 TRACK: Laurel Park

RULINGS:
#21-154 On October 6, 2021, the Stewards received notice from the Industrial Laboratories that urine sample #31626, dated August 27, 2021, contained the drug 2-1-hydroxyethylpromazine at 44.9ng/ml which is above the threshold 10ng/ml. The Stewards established that urine sample #31626 was taken from the horse “Preparefortakeoff”, owned by 3 M’s Racing & Rafael Lopez and trained by Jonathan Maldonado, following the running of the third race at Timonium Race Track on August 27, 2021. The Stewards notified Mr. Maldonado that: (1) the presence of 2-1-hydroxyethylpromazine at this level, in the system of “Preparefortakeoff” 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 October 10, 2021 wherein Mr. Maldonado waived his right to a split sample and waived his right to legal counsel.

Based upon the evidence before them, the Stewards find the following:

(1) “Preparefortakeoff” did carry an overage of 2-1-hydroxyethylpromazine in its system when it finished second in the third race at Timonium Race Track on August 27, 2021, a violation under COMAR 09.10.03.04, Section C;
(2) Jonathan Maldonado, as trainer, was the absolute insurer of, and responsible for, the condition of “Preparefortakeoff” 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
(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 evidence presented at the hearing and taking into account mitigating circumstances, the Stewards hereby order that:

(1) Trainer Jonathan Maldonado, be fined in the amount of Five Hundred dollars ($500.).
(2) The horse “Preparefortakeoff” be disqualified from the third race on August 27, 2021 at Timonium Race Track.
(3) The Horsemen’s Bookkeeper redistribute all purse monies for that race in accordance
with the following order:

OFFICIAL ORDER OF FINISH

1st Ding Ding
2nd Dotada
3rd Rubi de Leon
4th Suzanne’s Sugar
5th She’s a Fast One
6th Skylar’s Lady

Preparefortakeoff- unplaced

A Separate hearing was held wherein Trainer Jonathan Maldonado will be assigned two (2) Multiple Medication Violation Points.

 

 

DATE: October 9, 2021 TRACK: Laurel Park
RULINGS:
#21-155 In the third race at Laurel Park on October 8, 2021, horse #2 “Amen Corner”, ridden by jockey
Kevin Gomez was disqualified from third position and placed fourth. Inside the 1/4th pole, #2
“Amen Corner” comes out, under left-handed whipping, into the path of #6 “Kingston Pike” ridden by Grant Whitacre, forcing Jockey Whitacre to take up sharply between horses.

COMAR 09.10.01.50 A (1)(b)(e) which states in pertinent parts: “A horse may not (b) Cross or weave in front of another horse without sufficient clearance; (e) Impede another horse]

OFFICAL ORDER OF FINISH
1st Super Gamer
2nd Mystic Times
3rd Kingston Pike
4th Amen Corner


BY ORDER OF THE STEWARDS

 

DATE: October 9, 2021 TRACK: Laurel Park

RULINGS:
#21-156 Jockey Grant Whitacre is fined fifty dollars ($50.) for failure to appear at the video review after being informed by the Stewards to attend.

[Violation of COMAR 09.10.01.45-H]

BY ORDER OF THE STEWARDS

 

 

DATE: October 9, 2021 TRACK: Laurel Park

RULINGS:
#21-157 Jockey, Kevin Gomez, is suspended three (3) Maryland racing days, October 15, 16 and 17, 2021, for riding the horse “Amen Corner” in a careless manner in the third race at Laurel Park Course on October 8, 2021.

[COMAR 09.10.01.45 AA (1).]

 

DATE: October 10, 2021 TRACK: Laurel Park

RULINGS:
#21-158 In the matter of Jockey, Kevin Gomez, subject of Stewards’ Ruling #21-157, dated October 9, 2021.

Jockey Gomez, having filed an appeal with the Maryland Racing of the suspension issued to him by the Stewards in Ruling #21-157, said suspension is hereby stayed pending a Commission hearing on this appeal. COMAR: 09.10.04.04 A

BY ORDER OF THE STEWARDS

 

 

DATE: October 17, 2021 TRACK: Laurel Park

RULINGS:
#21-159 Jockey, Jorge Ruiz is fined One thousand dollars ($1,000.00) for repeatedly violating the riding crop rule. This time in the third race at Laurel Park on October 14, 2021.

COMAR 09.10.01.45 H

 

BY ORDER OF THE STEWARDS

DATE: October 17, 2021 TRACK: Laurel Park

RULINGS:
#21-160 Trainer, Rory Huston, is fined Two hundred dollars ($200) for not having a current coggins test on file with the racing office for his horse “Get Groovy” scheduled to run in the fifth race on October 16, 2021 necessitating a late scratch.

[COMAR 09.10.04.14 A(1)

BY ORDER OF THE STEWARDS
DATE: October 18, 2021 TRACK: Laurel Park

RULINGS:
#21-161 On October 8, 2021, the Stewards received notice from Industrial Laboratories that blood sample #31978 dated September 25, 2021, contained the drug phenylbutazone at 748+-47ng/ml or .748 mg/ml which is in excess of the accepted threshold of .3 mg/ml phenylbutazone established by the MRC. See COMAR09.10.03.01. The Stewards, having established that blood sample #31978 was taken from the horse “True Shipman”, owned and trained by Jerry A. Thurston, following the running of the tenth race at Laurel Park on September 25, 2021. The Stewards notified Mr. Thurston that: (1) the presence of phenylbutazone, at this level, in the system of “True Shipman” 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 via telephone on October 14, 2021, wherein Mr. Thurston waived his right to legal counsel and a split sample.

Based upon the evidence before them, the Stewards find the following:
(1) “True Shipman” did carry an overage of phenylbutazone, in its system when it finished third in the tenth race at Laurel Park on September 25, 2021, a violation under COMAR 09.10.03.04,C ;
(2) Jerry A. Thurston, as trainer, was the absolute insurer of, and responsible for, the condition of “True Shipman” 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.

Based upon the foregoing and taking into account mitigating circumstances, the Stewards hereby order that:

The horse, “True Shipman” be disqualified from the tenth race from September 25, 2021.

OFFICIAL ORDER OF FINISH
1st Count the Shells
2nd Pepe and Heywood
3rd Pet’s Night
4th Bayano
5th Just Go With It
6th Paid Holiday

True Shipman- unplaced

A Separate hearing was held wherein Trainer Jerry A. Thurston will be assigned one half (1/2) Multiple Medication
Violation Point.
DATE: October 18, 2021 TRACK: Laurel Park

RULINGS:
#21-162 On October 7, 2021, the Stewards received notice from the Industrial Laboratories that blood sample #31914, dated September 19, 2021, contained the drug methocarbamol at a level of 2.9+- 0.2 ng/ml which is above the threshold of 1 nanograms set forth for this drug. The Stewards established that blood sample #31914 was taken from the horse “Rock and Fellers”, owned by Veronica Mellino and trained by Sergio H. Pradenas, following the running of the seventh race at Laurel Park on September 19, 2021. The Stewards notified Mr. Pradenas that: (1) the presence of methocarbamol at this level, in the system of “Rock and Fellers” 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 via telephone on October 16, 2021, wherein Mr. Pradenas waived his right to legal counsel and a split sample.

Based upon the evidence before them, the Stewards find the following:

(1) “Rock and Fellers” did carry an overage of methocarbamol in its system when it finished fifth in the seventh race at
Laurel Park on September 19, 2021, a violation under COMAR 09.10.03.04, Section C;
(2) Sergio H. Pradenas, as trainer, was the absolute insurer of, and responsible for, the condition of “Rock and Fellers” 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 “Rock and Fellers”, be disqualified from the seventh race on September 19, 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 Cape Lookout
2nd Amen Corner
3rd Air On Fire
4th Awesome Buzz
5th Revolutionary Road

Rock and Fellers- unplaced

A Separate hearing was held wherein Trainer Sergio H. Pradenas will be assigned one half (1/2) Multiple Medication Violation Point.

 

DATE: October 20, 2021 TRACK: Laurel Park

RULINGS:
#21-163 In the matter of the eighth race at Laurel Park on November 21, 2020;

On September 23, 2021, 2021, the Maryland Racing Commission convened to hear the appeal of trainer John Robb. The Commission voted to uphold the Stewards decision in this matter and declared Caonabo Stables “Paradise Pride” the winner.
The trainer of “Beyond the Victory”, John Robb has accepted the decision and will not exercise his right to appeal. Therefore the new official order of finish is as follows;

Offical Order of Finish

1st Paradise Pride
2nd Beyond the Victory

The purse monies affected by the dispute are to be released by the Horsemen's Bookkeeper.

 

BY ORDER OF THE STEWARDS

 

DATE: October 20, 2021 TRACK: Laurel Park

RULINGS:
#21-164 In the matter of the second race at Laurel Park on January 17, 2021;

On September 23, 2021, the Maryland Racing Commission convened to hear the appeal of John Robb. The Commission voted to overturn the Stewards decision in this matter and declared Diane Balsamo’s “Invest” to be disqualified from first and placed fourth. The second place finisher, Timothy Kreiser’s “Hashtag Winning” be declared the winner,S Team O B’s “Unequivocal” placed second and No Guts No Glory’s “Belfour” placed third.
The owner of “Belfour”, Diane Balsamo and trainer, Jose Corrales have accepted the decision and will not exercise their right to appeal. Therefore the new official order of finish is as follows;

Offical Order of Finish

1st Hashtag Winning
2nd Unequivocal
3rd Belfour
4th Invest
The purse monies affected by the dispute are to be released by the Horsemen's Bookkeeper.

BY ORDER OF THE STEWARDS
DATE: October 23, 2021 TRACK: Laurel Park

RULINGS:
#21-165 On July 15, 2021, the Stewards received notice from Industrial Laboratories that blood sample #11198, dated June 27, 2021, contained the drug fentanyl . The Stewards established that blood sample #11198 was taken from the horse “Dailing Dixie”, owned by C & B Stable and trained by Charles L. Frock, following the running of the fourth race at Pimlico Race Course on June 27, 2021 . The Stewards notified Mr. Frock that: (1) the presence of fentanyl in the system of “Dailing Dixie” 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. Frock did exercise his right to the split sample testing. (COMAR 09.10.03.09 H 1, 2, & 3)
Confirmation was received from UIC Analytical Forensic Testing Laboratory that fentanyl is
present in sample #11198 dated June 27, 2021.

The Stewards held a hearing on this matter October 22, 2021 wherein Mr. Frock was represented with legal counsel, Alan Foreman, Esquire. Also present were Dr. Libby Daniel, Equine Welfare & Medical Director and Joe Poag and Dennis O’Neil, MRC Investigators.

Based upon the evidence before them, the Stewards find the following:

(1)“Dailing Dixie” did have fentanyl, in its system when it finished first in the fourth race at Pimlico Race Course on June 27, 2021, a violation under COMAR 09.10.03.04,C;
(2)) Charles Frock, as trainer, was the absolute insurer of, and responsible for, the condition of “Dailing Dixie” 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, the Stewards hereby order:

(1) Trainer Charles L. Frock 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 “Dailing Dixie”, be disqualified from the fourth race on June 27, 2021 at Pimlico Race Course.

The Horsemen’s Bookkeeper redistribute all purse monies for that race in accordance
with the following order:
OFFICIAL ORDER OF FINISH

1st Voltamour
2nd Rippolino
3rd American d’Oro
4th Dashing Circles

Dailing Dixie- unplaced

A separate hearing was held to address the Multiple Medication Violation Point system wherein mitigating circumstances were taken into consideration.
Trainer Charles L. Frock 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: October 30, 2021 TRACK: Laurel Park

RULINGS:
#21-166 Trainer, Jamie Ness, is fined One Hundred dollars ($100.) for, failure to follow licensing
procedures, by not obtaining an owners license for Colleen Crigler, owner of “Hide the Ramson”, who was allowed to run, at Pimlico Race Course, on June 5, 2021.

Mr. Ness accepted responsibility of this licensing procedure by signing the affidavit permitting this entry to race.

COMAR 09.10.01.57 YH, (1)

 

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