June 2023 Thoroughbred Rulings - Maryland Racing Commission

DATE: June 01, 2023 TRACK: Pimlico Race Course

STEWARDS: Adam Campola
Ross R Pearce
Russell G Derderian

RULINGS:
#23-054 In the matter of Trainer Crystal Pickett: on May 19, 2023, a detection dog outside the Pimlico stable gate scanned Ms. Pickett’s car. Ms. Pickett was asked if there was any contraband in her vehicle. Ms. Pickett produced an unlabeled bottle of an equine medication. The MRC investigator, Dennis O'Neil brought this matter to the Stewards. On May 29, 2023 a hearing was held to review this incident. Ms. Pickett attended in person and was represented by counsel via phone. The Stewards took into consideration mitigating circumstances and have fined Ms. Pickett Two hundred dollars ($200.)

[COMAR: 09.10.01.45 H]

BY ORDER OF THE STEWARDS

DATE: June 03, 2023 TRACK: Pimlico Race Course

STEWARDS: Adam Campola
Ross R Pearce
Russell G Derderian

RULINGS:
#23-055 On June 1, 2023, the Stewards received notice from Industrial Laboratories that blood sample #E608300, dated May 13, 2023, contained the drug dexamethasone . The Stewards established that blood sample #E608300 was taken from the horse "Montauk Daddy", owned by Alex Kazdan and trained by Robert Klesaris, following the running of the fourth race at Pimlico Race Course on May 13, 2023. The Stewards notified Mr. Klesaris that: (1) the presence of dexamethasone in the system of "Montauk Daddy" 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 June 3, 2023, wherein Mr. Klesaris waived his right to a split sample and legal counsel.

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

(1)"Montauk Daddy" did have dexamethasone, in its system when it finished second in the fourth race at Pimlico Race Course on May 13, 2023, a violation under COMAR 09.10.03.04,C;
(2)) Robert Klesaris, as trainer, was the absolute insurer of, and responsible for, the condition of "Montauk Daddy" 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, the Stewards hereby order:
(1) Trainer Robert Klesaris be fined Five hundred dollars ($500.00)
(2) The claim of "Montauk Daddy" be voided and the horse returned to Mr. Klesaris' care per HISA regulation and the claim money returned to the Howard Stable account.
(3) The horse "Montauk Daddy" be disqualified from the fourth race on May 13, 2023. The Horsemen's Bookkeeper redistribute all purse monies for that race in accordance with the following order:

OFFICIAL ORDER OF FINISH

1St Remembering Wilbur
2nd Call Me Maestro
3rd Flaming East
A 4th Jimmy the Kid
5th Little Bay
6th Lantau

Montauk Daddy- unplaced

A separate hearing was held to address the Multiple Medication Violation Point system. Trainer Robert Klesaris will be assigned One (1) Multiple Medication Violation Point.

[Comar 09.10.03.02 C]

BY ORDER OF THE STEWARDS

DATE: June 08, 2023 TRACK: Laurel Park

STEWARDS: Adam Campola
Ross R Pearce
Russell G Derderian

RULINGS:
#23-056 In the second race at Pimlico Race Course on June 4, 2023, horse #8 "Always to Return", ridden by jockey William Humphrey, was disqualified from sixth position and placed ninth. Inside the 1/16th pole, #8 "Always to Return" came over in front of #6 "She'll Make Waves" ridden by Charlie Marquez, forcing that horse to take up sharply.

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 Icy Minister
2nd Born For Victory
3rd Superstitieux

BY ORDER OF THE STEWARDS

DATE: June 08, 2023 TRACK: Laurel Park

STEWARDS: Adam Campola
Ross R Pearce
Russell G Derderian

RULINGS:
#23-057 In the eighth race at Pimlico Race Course on June 4, 2023, horse #4 "Chelonian", ridden by jockey Carlos Lopez, was disqualified from first position and placed second. Inside the 1/16th pole, #4 "Chelonian" came over and soundly bumped #6 "Wish Me Home" ridden by Victor Carrasco, beating that horse in a photo finish.

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

OFFICAL ORDER OF FINISH
1St Wish Me Home
2nd Chelonian

BY ORDER OF THE STEWARDS

DATE: June 10, 2023 TRACK: Laurel Park

STEWARDS: Adam Campola
Ross R Pearce
Russell G Derderian

RULINGS:
#23-058 Jockey, William Humphrey, is suspended one (1) Maryland racing day, June 16, 2023, for riding the horse "Always to Return" in a careless manner in the second race at Pimlico Race Course on June 4, 2023.

[COMAR 09.10.01.45 AA (1).]

BY ORDER OF THE STEWARDS

DATE: June 11, 2023 TRACK: Laurel Park

STEWARDS: Adam Campola
Ross R Pearce
Russell G Derderian

RULINGS:
#23-059 In the second race at Laurel Park on June 10, 2023, horse #4 "Hot Lookin Royal", ridden by jockey Angel Cruz, was disqualified from first position and placed fifth. Shortly after leaving the chute, #4 "Hot Lookin Royal" angles in towards the rail, without sufficient clearance, forcing #3 "Bad Temper" ridden by Alberto Delgado to take up. The #4 continued in crowding #2 "Holding Court" ridden by Axel Concepcion, forcing his horse inward and in doing so causing #1 "Illusion of Hope" ridden by Jamie Rodriguez to hit the rail and take up sharply.

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 Bad Temper
2nd Performanceanxiety
3rd Illusion of Hope
4th Holding Court
5th Hot Lookin Royal

BY ORDER OF THE STEWARDS

DATE: June 16, 2023 TRACK: Laurel Park

STEWARDS: Adam Campola
Ross R Pearce
Russell G Derderian

RULINGS:
#23-060 Jockey, Angel Cruz, is suspended three (3) Maryland racing days, June 23, 24 and 25, 2023, for riding the horse "Hot Lookin Royal" in a careless manner in the second race at Laurel Park on June 10, 2023.

[COMAR 09.10.01.45 AA (1).]

BY ORDER OF THE STEWARDS

DATE: June 16, 2023 TRACK: Laurel Park

STEWARDS: Adam Campola
Ross R Pearce
Russell G Derderian

RULINGS:
#23-061 Jockey Luis Garcia, is fined One thousand dollars ($1,000.00) and suspended five (5) days June 23, 24, 25, 26 and 27, 2023, for failure to ride his mount "Whenigettoheaven" out to the finish in the sixth race at Laurel Park on June 11, 2023, thereby causing "Whenigettoheaven" to lose placings in the order of finish.

[COMAR 09.10. 01.21, Q (1) (2)]

(Note: As per COMAR 09.10.04.05, failure to pay a fine within 48 hours from receipt of notice may result in a suspension of license.)

BY ORDER OF THE STEWARDS

DATE: June 23, 2023 TRACK: Laurel Park

STEWARDS: Adam Campola
Ross R Pearce
Russell G Derderian

RULINGS:
#23-062 Apprentice jockey, Axel Concepcion, is suspended one (1) Maryland racing day, June 25, 2023, for riding the horse "Walks Like a Lady" in a careless manner in the first race at Laurel Park on June 17, 2023.

[COMAR 09.10.01.45 AA (1).]

BY ORDER OF THE STEWARDS

DATE: June 30, 2023 TRACK: Laurel Park

STEWARDS: Adam Campola
Ross R Pearce
Russell G Derderian

RULINGS:
#23-063 In the matter of, Jesus Cazarez-Cruz, subject of Stewards Ruling #22-013, dated February 4, 2022. On June 30, 2023, Jesus Cazares-Cruz 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 Adult Personal & Career Counseling. In their evaluation, they indicate that Mr. Cruz is presently drug free and not a detriment to the best interests of racing. She 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 Jesus Cazares-Cruz be reinstated to good standing subject to the above-stated stipulation.

BY ORDER OF THE STEWARDS

DATE: June 30, 2023 TRACK: Laurel Park

STEWARDS: Adam Campola
Ross R Pearce
Russell G Derderian

RULINGS:
#23-064 In the matter of Trainer Christine Clagett: On May 19, 2023, Ms. Clagett's truck was scanned by a detection dog outside the Pimlico stable gate. Ms. Clagett was asked if there was any contraband in her vehicle. Ms. Clagett produced a box containing some needles and syringes along with a few bottles of labled medication. The box was handed over to the MRC Investigators. The MRC investigator, Dennis O'Neil brought this matter to the Stewards. The Stewards ordered Ms. Clagett's entry for this day be scratched and a blood sample be taken by the MRC Veterinarian. The test sample came back negative from Industrial Laboratory. On June 30, 2023 a hearing was held to review this incident. Ms. Clagett attended in person and was not represented by counsel.

The Stewards took into consideration mitigating cicumstances and have fined Ms. Clagett Five hundred dollars ($500.)

[COMAR: 09.10.01.45 H]

BY ORDER OF THE STEWARDS