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March 2026 Thoroughbred Rulings - Maryland Racing Commission

 

DATE: March 4, 2026
TRACK: Laurel Park

STEWARDS:

  • Adam Campola
  • Ross R Pearce
  • Russell G Derderian

RULINGS:

#26-017 Jockey, Yedsit Hazlewood is in violation of the HISA riding crop rule #2280 (b)(1). During the running of the eighth race on February 21, 2026, Jockey Hazlewood hit his mount "Let's Go Lando" 8 times which is in violation of the 6-strike rule. On February 22, 2026, a hearing was held to review the race. Stewards issued the following penalty.

  1. Mr. Hazlewood is fined Five hundred ($500.00) dollars.
  2. Mr. Hazlewood is suspended one (1) race day, March 1, 2026.

COMAR 09.10.01.45 H

BY ORDER OF THE STEWARDS

DATE: March 8, 2026
TRACK: Laurel Park

STEWARDS:

  • Adam Campola
  • Ross R Pearce
  • Russell G Derderian

RULINGS:

#26-018 In the matter of Exercise Rider, Ivan Perez: On March 7, 2026, The MRC Investigators and MJC Security reached the car of Mr. Perez and found a handgun. Mr. Perez produced a Maryland State Handgun Permit. Mr. Perez and the handgun were taken to the MRC Investigators office. Mr. Perez freely cooperated with the investigation. The Arundel County Police were contacted and responded to the Investigators office. They ran a check on the gun with negative results. The Maryland Handgun was checked and found to be valid. Mr. Perez was requested to deliver a urine sample, which he did and the results of the test were negative. Mr. Perez stated that he did not know that carrying a handgun was prohibited on the grounds and that it was not posted anywhere on the backside.

A hearing was held on March 8, 2026. Mr. Perez appeared in the absence of counsel and waived his right thereto. Based on the testimony and evidence presented at the hearing, The Stewards found Ivan Perez in violation of COMAR 09.10.03.03(10) Using or possessing a deadly weapon.

Accordingly, the Stewards hereby order:

  1. That the license issued to Ivan Perez be suspended for thirty (30) days. However, his suspension is stayed provided he conducts himself in a professional manner and does not bring a weapon on any property under the MRC.
  2. Mr. Perez is fined Two hundred and fifty ($250) dollars.

[COMAR 09.10.03.03(10)]

BY ORDER OF THE STEWARDS

DATE: March 8, 2026
TRACK: Laurel Park

STEWARDS:

  • Adam Campola
  • Ross R Pearce
  • Russell G Derderian

RULINGS:

#26-019 In the matter of Stable employee Fernando Garcia: On March 8, 2026, Mr. Garcia was requested to deliver a urine sample by the MRC Investigators. The specimen he rendered tested positive for amphetamine and methamphetamine.

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

A hearing was held on March 8, 2026. Mr. Garcia appeared in the absence of counsel and waived his right thereto. Based upon the testimony and evidence presented at the hearing, the Stewards found Fernando Garcia in violation of COMAR 09.10.03.05 Drug Prohibition-Humans.

Accordingly, the Stewards hereby order:

  1. That the license issued to Fernando Garcia 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. Garcia will not be allowed to work on the backside.

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

BY ORDER OF THE STEWARDS

DATE: March 19, 2026
TRACK: Laurel Park

STEWARDS:

  • Adam Campola
  • Ross R Pearce
  • Russell G Derderian

RULINGS:

#26-020 In the matter of the fourth race at Laurel Park on January 10, 2026;

The second-place finisher "Plenty On Tap" owned by Paisano Racing Stable, Allan Levi and Kevin ColaBucci and trained by Bemjamin Feliciano has been disqualified for a medication violation by HIWU.

The following is the official order of finish.

  1. 1st Pencil Me In
  2. 2nd Boss Lily
  3. 3rd Gonna Make It
  4. 4th Tug
  5. 5th Runaway Rooster

Plenty On Tap – unplaced

BY ORDER OF THE STEWARDS

DATE: March 22, 2026
TRACK: Laurel Park

STEWARDS:

  • Adam Campola
  • Ross R Pearce
  • Russell G Derderian

RULINGS:

#26-021 In the matter of Stable employee Emmanuel Sepulveda: On March 21, 2026, Mr. Sepulveda was requested to deliver a urine sample by the MRC Investigators. The specimen he rendered tested positive for amphetamine and methamphetamine.

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

A hearing was held on March 22, 2026. Mr. Sepulveda appeared in the absence of counsel and waived his right thereto. Based upon the testimony and evidence presented at the hearing, the Stewards found Emmanuel Selpulveda in violation of COMAR 09.10.03.05 Drug Prohibition-Humans.

Accordingly, the Stewards hereby order:

  1. That the license issued to Emmanuel Sepulveda 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. Sepulveda will not be allowed to work on the backside.

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

BY ORDER OF THE STEWARDS

DATE: March 25, 2026
TRACK: Laurel Park

STEWARDS:

  • Adam Campola
  • Ross R Pearce
  • Russell G Derderian

RULINGS:

#26-022 Jockey, Carlos E. Lopez is in violation of the HISA riding crop rule #2280 (b)(1). During the running of the sixth race on March 6, 2026, Jockey Lopez hit his mount "Tactics" 7 times which is in violation of the 6-strike rule. On March 7, 2026, a hearing was held to review the race. Stewards issued the following penalty.

  1. Mr. Lopez is fined Two hundred and fifty ($250.00) dollars.
  2. Mr. Lopez is suspended one (1) race day, March 29, 2026.

COMAR 09.10.01.45 H

BY ORDER OF THE STEWARDS

DATE: March 25, 2026
TRACK: Laurel Park

STEWARDS:

  • Adam Campola
  • Ross R Pearce
  • Russell G Derderian

RULINGS:

#26-023 Jockey, Paul Luna is in violation of the HISA riding crop rule #2280 (b)(1). During the running of the sixth race on March 20, 2026, Jockey Luna hit his mount "Eimear" 9 times which is in violation of the 6-strike rule. On March 21, 2026, a hearing was held to review the race. Stewards issued the following penalty.

  1. Mr. Luna is fined Two hundred and fifty ($250.00) dollars.
  2. Mr. Luna is suspended one (1) race day, March 28, 2026.

COMAR 09.10.01.45 H

BY ORDER OF THE STEWARDS

DATE: March 25, 2026
TRACK: Laurel Park

STEWARDS:

  • Adam Campola
  • Ross R Pearce
  • Russell G Derderian

RULINGS:

#26-024 Jockey, Andres Chavez is in violation of the HISA riding crop rule #2280 (b)(1). During the running of the seventh race on March 20, 2026, Jockey Chavez hit his mount "Uncle Cat" 8 times which is in violation of the 6-strike rule. On March 21, 2026, a hearing was held to review the race. Stewards issued the following penalty.

  1. Mr. Chavez is fined Two hundred and fifty ($250.00) dollars.
  2. Mr. Chavez is suspended one (1) race day, March 29, 2026.

COMAR 09.10.01.45 H

BY ORDER OF THE STEWARDS

DATE: March 26, 2026
TRACK: Laurel Park

STEWARDS:

  • Adam Campola
  • Ross R Pearce
  • Russell G Derderian

RULINGS:

#26-025 The below listed licensees have been fined for failure to have the 2025-26 license badges they had been issued by the Maryland Racing Commission. [COMAR 09.10.04.11, C.]

  • EGRIE, Paul $5.00
  • BARAJAS, Alvaro $5.00
  • LLAGAS, Walter $5.00
  • LEAF, Robert, Jr. $5.00
  • BALSINGER, Marilyn $5.00
  • LOPEZ-GARCIA, Miguel $5.00
  • LEVY, Troy $5.00
  • NIHEI, Michelle $5.00
  • FIGUEROA, Teodoro $5.00
  • MARTINEZ-HEREDIA, Raul $5.00
  • RESUTA, Richard $5.00
  • ROSADO, Johan h $5.00

(Note: The fines have been paid)

BY ORDER OF THE STEWARDS