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April 2026 Thoroughbred Rulings - Maryland Racing Commission

 

Date: April 2, 2026
TRACK: Laurel Park

STEWARDS:

  • Adam Campola
  • Ross R Pearce
  • Russell G Derderian

RULINGS:

#26-027 In the matter of Stable employee Mariano Herrera-Barajas: On March 28, 2026, Mr. Herrera-Barajas was requested to deliver a urine sample by the MRC Investigators. The specimen he rendered tested positive for marijuana.

COMAR 09.10.03.05 A(1)(a)(i).

A hearing was held on April 2, 2026. Mr. Herrera-Barajas appeared in the absence of counsel and waived his right thereto. Based upon the testimony and evidence presented at the hearing, the Stewards found Mariano Herrera-Barajas in violation of COMAR 09.10.03.05 Drug Prohibition-Humans.

Accordingly, the Stewards hereby order:

  1. That the license issued to Mariano Herrera-Barajas be suspended until such time as he has been professionally evaluated and deemed not a detriment to racing. [COMAR 09.10.03.05, F(1)].
  2. That while he is under suspension, Mr. Herrera-Barajas will not be allowed to work on the backside.

[COMAR 09.10.01.45, 'Y (1) (a).]

BY ORDER OF THE STEWARDS

DATE: April 4, 2026
TRACK: Laurel Park

STEWARDS:

  • Adam Campola
  • Ross R Pearce
  • Russell G Derderian

RULINGS:

#26-028 In the matter of Apprentice Jockey Yedsit Hazlewood; Mr. Hazlewood's apprentice allowance was to have expired on April 13, 2026. Having provided all documentation pertinent to his injury of June 9, 2025, apprentice jockey Hazlewood is hereby granted sixty-six (66) days of extension. This extension will now continue his apprentice allowance through June 17, 2026.

[COMAR 09.10.01.23 4(a) (I)(iv)]

DATE: April 4, 2026
TRACK: Laurel Park

STEWARDS:

  • Adam Campola
  • Ross R Pearce
  • Russell G Derderian

RULINGS:

#26-029 In the matter of the fourth race at Laurel Park on January 28, 2024;

The first-place finisher "Prodigy Doll" owned by HnR Northhaft Horse Racing, LLC and trained by Phil Schoenthal has been disqualified for a medication violation by HIWU.

The following is the official order of finish.

  1. 1st Tappin Josie
  2. 2nd Fuhgeddaboudit
  3. 3rd Hashtag Lucky
  4. 4th Sweet Gracie
  5. 5th Anonymously

Prodigy Doll - unplaced

DATE: April 4, 2026
TRACK: Laurel Park

STEWARDS:

  • Adam Campola
  • Ross R Pearce
  • Russell G Derderian

RULINGS:

#26-030 In the matter of the seventh race at Laurel Park on February 9, 2024;

The first-place finisher "Determined Driver" owned by D Hatman Thoroughbreds and trained by Phil Schoenthal has been disqualified for a medication violation by HIWU.

The following is the official order of finish.

  1. 1st I'm a Cutie Pie
  2. 2nd You Can't Win
  3. 3rd Go Sherry Go
  4. 4th Cluck Cluck
  5. 5th Blue Trillion

Determined Driver - unplaced

DATE: April 8, 2026
TRACK: Laurel Park

STEWARDS:

  • Adam Campola
  • Ross R Pearce
  • Russell G Derderian

RULINGS:

#26-031 In the matter of the fifth race at Laurel Park on March 1, 2026;

The first-place finisher "Artist Mark" owned by John Chamatsos and trained by Emanuel Geralis has been disqualified for a medication violation by HIWU.

The following is the official order of finish.

  1. 1st Lou's Birthday
  2. 2nd Ecumenical
  3. 3rd City Panda
  4. 4th Speedy Alex

Artist Mark - unplaced

DATE: April 12, 2026
TRACK: Laurel Park

STEWARDS:

  • Adam Campola
  • Ross R Pearce
  • Russell G Derderian

RULINGS:

#26-032 Stable Employee, Tony Harris was brought before the Stewards on charges of disorderly conduct towards another licensee. A hearing was held on April 11, 2026. Mr. Harris appeared in the absence of counsel and waived his right thereto. Based upon the testimony and evidence presented at the hearing, the Stewards found Tony Harris in violation of COMAR 09.10.03.03(9).

  1. Mr. Harris has been suspended for fourteen (14) days. However, his suspension is stayed provided he conducts himself in a professional manner and does not have any other charges against him of this nature.
  2. Mr. Harris is fined One hundred ($100) dollars.

[COMAR 09.10.03.03(9), 09.10.01.45 H.]

BY ORDER OF THE STEWARDS

DATE: April 12, 2026
TRACK: Laurel Park

STEWARDS:

  • Adam Campola
  • Ross R Pearce
  • Russell G Derderian

RULINGS:

#26-033 Stable Employee, Robert Coley, Jr. was brought before the Stewards on charges of disorderly conduct towards another licensee. A hearing was held on April 11, 2026. Mr. Coley appeared in the absence of counsel and waived his right thereto. Based upon the testimony and evidence presented at the hearing, the Stewards found Robert Coley, Jr. in violation of COMAR 09.10.03.03(9).

  1. Mr. Coley has been suspended for fourteen (14) days. However, his suspension is stayed provided he conducts himself in a professional manner and does not have any other charges against him of this nature.
  2. Mr. Coley is fined One hundred ($100) dollars.

[COMAR 09.10.03.03(9), 09.10.01.45 H.]

BY ORDER OF THE STEWARDS

DATE: April 18, 2026
TRACK: Laurel Park

STEWARDS:

  • Adam Campola
  • Ross R Pearce
  • Russell G Derderian

RULINGS:

#26-034 In the third race at Laurel Park on April 12, 2026, #6 "Cairo Surprise", ridden by Joe Rocco, Jr. was disqualified from first position and place second. Inside the 1/8th pole, #6 severely ducked out several paths and in doing so bothered #8 "Where's Ray" ridden by Jevian Toledo, forcing him to alter course before losing in a tight photo.

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

The following is the official order of finish.

  1. 1st Where's Ray
  2. 2nd Cairo Surprise
  3. 3rd War Humor
  4. 4th Warheart
  5. 5th Point Liam
  6. 6th Catahoula Moon
  7. 7th Dean Delivers

DATE: April 18, 2026
TRACK: Laurel Park

STEWARDS:

  • Adam Campola
  • Ross R Pearce
  • Russell G Derderian

RULINGS:

#26-035 Trainer, Justin Nixon is in violation of the HISA Shoe rule #2276 (a)(1). On April 11, 2026, Mr. Nixon had the horse "She's a Good Girl" entered to run in the first race at Laurel Park. The Paddock Blacksmith, during prerace inspection discovered toe grabs on the front shoes. Mr. Nixon was given the option of scratching or running with no front shoes. The horse ran with no shoes.

A hearing was held on this matter on April 17, 2026 via telephone. Mr. Nixon appeared in the absence of counsel and waived his right thereto. Based upon the testimony and evidence presented at the hearing, the Stewards found Justin Nixon in violation of HISA Shoe rule 2276 (1)(a). The Stewards issued the following penalty.

Mr. Nixon is fined Two hundred and fifty ($250.00) dollars.

HISA #2276 (1)(a) COMAR 09.10.01.45 H

BY ORDER OF THE STEWARDS

DATE: April 22, 2026
TRACK: Laurel Park

STEWARDS:

  • Adam Campola
  • Ross R Pearce
  • Russell G Derderian

RULINGS:

#26-036 In the third race at Laurel Park on April 18, 2026, #6 "Quality Swag", ridden by apprentice Emmanuel Rosario was disqualified from third position and place fourth. Inside the 1/8th pole, #6 while lugging in, was hit right-handed and continued inward, bumping #5 "Rylnnslookinglucky" ridden by Angel Cruz several times before being brought back under control.

COMAR 09.10.01.50 A (1)(b)(c)(e) which states in pertinent parts: "A horse may not (c) Jostle another horse (e) Impede another horse]

The following is the official order of finish.

  1. 1st Vino Bella
  2. 2nd Valerie Street
  3. 3rd Rylnnslookinglucky
  4. 4th Quality Swag

DATE: April 22, 2026
TRACK: Laurel Park

STEWARDS:

  • Adam Campola
  • Ross R Pearce
  • Russell G Derderian

RULINGS:

#26-037 Apprentice jockey, Emmanuel Rosario, is suspended one (1) Maryland racing day, April 26, 2026, for riding the horse "Quality Swag" in a careless manner in the third race at Laurel Park on April 18, 2026.

[COMAR 09.10.01.45 AA (1).]

DATE: April 26, 2026
TRACK: Laurel Park

STEWARDS:

  • Adam Campola
  • Ross R Pearce
  • Russell G Derderian

RULINGS:

#26-038 In the matter of, Emmanuel Sepulveda, subject of Stewards Ruling #26-021, dated March 22, 2026.

On April 26, 2026, Mr. Emmanuel Sepulveda appeared before the Stewards upon the request of HCP Coordinator Jessica Hammond, for consideration of reinstatement to good standing. The HCP coordinator provided an evaluation from LOGOS PSYCHOTHERAPY, LLC. In their evaluation they indicate that Mr. Sepulveda is presently drug free and not a detriment to the best interests of racing. They recommended that he be reinstated to good standing and permitted to return to work subject to the following stipulation:

That at the Stewards discretion he submits to drug testing by the HCP Coordinator, the Stewards, or their designated representative. [COMAR 09.10.03.05.]

In light of the above, the Stewards hereby order that Emmanuel Sepulveda be reinstated to good standing subject to the above-stated stipulation.