April 2021 Thoroughbred Rulings - Maryland Racing Commission
April 10, 2021 - Laurel Park
#21-059 In the matter of Apprentice Jockey Alexander Crispin; Mr. Crispin’s apprentice allowance was to have expired on April 25, 2021. With the shutdown of racing on March 26, 2021, Mr. Crispin has been granted an extension of fourteen (14) days to complete his one year from his 5th winner. This extension will now continue his apprentice allowances starting with the resumption of racing April 8, 2021 thru May 9, 2021.
[COMAR 09.10.01.23 4(a)(iv)]
April 11,2021 - Laurel Park
#21-060 In the matter of Apprentice Jockey Charlie Marquez; Mr. Marquez’s apprentice allowance was to have expired on February 1, 2021. Having provided all documentation pertinent to his injury of October 13, 2020, apprentice jockey Marquez is hereby granted twenty-six (26) days of extension. With the shutdowns of racing on March 20, 2020 Mr. Marquez has been granted an extension of seventy-one (71) days and with the Herpes shutdown of Maryland racing, Mr. Marquez is granted an additional twenty-one (21) days to complete his one year from his 5th winner. This extension will now continue his apprentice allowance thru May 29, 2021.
[COMAR 09.10.01.23 4(a)(i)(iv)]
April 15, 2021 - Laurel Park
#21-061 On December 12, 2020, the Stewards received notice from the Truesdail Laboratories, Inc. that blood sample #37293, dated November 28, 2020, contained the drug dimethyl sulfoxide at a level of 42.6+- 0.9 mcg/ml which is above the threshold of 10 micrograms set forth for this drug. The Stewards established that blood sample #37293 was taken from the horse “Air Token”, owned by Corrales Racing and trained by Jose Corrales, following the running of the fourth race at Laurel Park on November 28, 2020. The Stewards notified Mr. Corrales that:
(1) the presence of dimethyil sulfoxide at this level, in the system of “Air Token” 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. Corrales 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 dimethyl sulfoxide is present in sample #37293 dated November 28, 2020, at a quantity level of 37.4+-3.3mcg/ml.
The Stewards held a hearing on April 11, 2021 via phone. Mr. Corrales waived his right to legal counsel.
Based upon the evidence before them, the Stewards find the following:
(1) “Air Token” did carry an overage of dimethyl sulfoxide in its system when it finished first in the fourth race at Laurel
Park on November 28, 2020, a violation under COMAR 09.10.03.04, Section C;
(2) Jose Corrales, as trainer, was the absolute insurer of, and responsible for, the condition of “Air Token” 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) The horse “Air Token”, be disqualified from the fourth race on November 28, 2020 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 Francatelli
2nd Golden Candy
3rd Informative
4th Pianzi
5th Bright Dawn
6th Dreams Untold
7th Johnny Ritt
8th Carey Times
Air Token - unplaced
A Separate hearing was held wherein Trainer Jose Corrales will be assigned one half (1/2) Multiple Medication
Violation Point.
April 15, 2021 - Laurel Park
#21-062 Jockey, Jonathan Joyce is hereby suspended pending a hearing with the Stewards for failure to abide by
stipulations of his re-instatement of July 31, 2020, ruling # 20-097.
[COMAR 09.10.03.05. F (2)(b)]
BY ORDER OF THE STEWARDS
April 15, 2021 - Laurel Park
#21-063 In the matter of owner, Troy Robb: Racetrack Security sent a report of an altercation on the backside barn
area, March 31, 2020 involving Mr. Robb. The Stewards asked the MRC Investigators to do an investigation
concerning this incident.
A hearing was held on April 10, 2021. Mr. Robb appeared in the absence of counsel and waived his right
thereto. Present with him was his employer, John Robb. Based upon the testimony and video evidence
presented at the hearing, the Stewards found Troy Robb
Accordingly, the Stewards hereby order:
That the license issued to Troy Robb be suspended for one year. However 6 months of the suspension is
stayed on a probationary. Mr. Robb is ordered to complete an approved anger management program. If he
completes said program he will be eligible for a review after 3 months. Mr. Robb must also submit to drug
testing by the HCP Coordinator, the Stewards, or their designated representative.
The suspension starts from April 1, 2021 and runs through April 1, 2022.
[COMAR 09.10.03.05.]
[COMAR 09.10.01.45, 'Y (1) (a).]
BY ORDER OF THE STEWARDS
April 23, 2021 - Laurel Park
#21-064 On April 17, 2021, the Stewards received notice from Truesdail Laboratories, Inc. that blood sample #38219 dated March 20, 2021, contained the drugs phenylbutazone and flunixin which is a violation of MRC. See COMAR 09.10.03.01. The Stewards, having established that blood sample #38219 was taken from the horse “Justice of War”, owned by Pepe Stable and J L M Jacona Stable and trained by Jose J. Magana, following the running of the first race at Laurel Park on March 20, 2021. The Stewards notified Mr. Magana that:
(1) the presence of phenylbutazone and flunixin, in the system of “Justice of War” 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 April 22, 2021 via telephone wherein Mr. Magana waived his right to legal counsel and a split sample.
Based upon the evidence before them, the Stewards find the following:
(1) “Justice of War” did carry phenylbutazone and flunixin, in its system when it finished second in the first race at Laurel Park on March 20, 2021, a violation under COMAR 09.10.03.04,C ;
(2) Jose J. Magana, as trainer, was the absolute insurer of, and responsible for, the condition of “Justice of War” 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, “Justice of War” be disqualified from the second race from March 20, 2021.
OFFICIAL ORDER OF FINISH
1st Pascal Chant
2nd Outside the Box
3rd Sing a Verse
4th Tappahannock
5th Tiz Auction Time
6th Fernwood Drive
Justice of War - unplaced
A separate hearing was held to address the Multiple Medication Violation Point system.
Trainer Jose J. Magana will be assigned one (1) Multiple Medication Violation Point.
[COMAR 09.10.03.02 C]
April 24, 2021 - Laurel Park
#21-065 Trainer, Jonathaniel Badillo, is fined One thousand ($1,000.00) for failure to have his entry for the 3rd
race of April 10, 2021 “Calypso Ghost” in a fit and healthy racing condition resulting in said horse to
be scratched by a MRC State Veterinarian.
[COMAR 09.10.01.57 K]
(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
April 24, 2021 - Pimlico Race Course
#21-066 In the ninth race, at Pimlico Race Course on April 22, 2021, horse #6 “Abuelo Paps”, ridden by jockey
Angel Cruz was disqualified from first position and placed second. Around the 1/16th pole, #6 “Abuelo
Paps” under left-handed whipping, came out sharply, into the path of #3 “Fast Break” ridden by Sheldon
Russell, bumping #3 and carrying said horse out a couple of paths, costing him a best chance of placing
in a tight finish.
COMAR 09.10.01.50 A (1)(a)(c))(e) which states in pertinent parts: “A horse may not (a) Carry another horse in or out;(c) Jostle another horse; (e) impede another horse:]
April 24, 2021 - Pimlico Race Course
#21-067 Jockey, Angel Cruz, is suspended three (3) Maryland racing days, April 29, 30 and May 1, 2021, for riding the horse “Abuelo Paps” in a careless manner in the ninth race at Pimlico Race Course on April 22, 2021, thereby causing the disqualification of “Abuelo Paps” from first to second position.
[COMAR 09.10.01.45 AA (1).]
April 24, 2021 - Pimlico Race Course
#21-068 Jockey, Grant Whitacre is fined Five hundred dollars ($500.00) for violating the riding crop rule, in the
second race at Pimlico race Course on April 23, 2021.
COMAR 09.10.01.45 H
BY ORDER OF THE STEWARDS
April 24, 2021 - Pimlico Race Course
#21-069 In the ninth race, at Pimlico Race Course on April 23, 2021, horse #7 “Omati”, ridden by jockey
Yomar Ortiz was disqualified from first position and placed third. Around the 1/16th pole,
#7 “Omati” under left-handed whipping, came out, into the path of #3 “American Fleet” ridden by Sheldon
Russell, forcing #3 to alter course and in doing so #3 bumps with #9 ”One More Chapter” ridden by Johan
Rosado costing both horses a best chance of placing in a tight finish.
COMAR 09.10.01.50 A (1)(a)(d)(e) which states in pertinent parts: “A horse may not (a) Carry another horse in or out;(d) Intimidate another horse; (e) impede another horse:]
April 25, 2021 - Pimlico Race Course
#21-070 Jockey, Sheldon Russell, is suspended three (3) Maryland racing days, May 1, 2, and 6, 2021, for riding the horse “Whereshetoldmetogo” in a careless manner in the seventh race at Pimlico Race Course on April 24, 2021, thereby causing the #1 “Factor It In” to clip heels.
[COMAR 09.10.01.45 AA (1).]
April 25, 2021 - Pimlico Race Course
#21-071 In the tenth race, at Pimlico Race Course on April 24, 2021, horse #1 “Excellorator”, ridden by jockey
Angel Cruz was disqualified from first position and placed second. Around the 1/16th pole, #1
“Excellorator” under left-handed whipping, drifts out, continues out under a hand ride, forcing #4 “The
Reds” ridden by Victor Carrasco to alter course and in doing costing #4 a best chance of placing in a tight
finish.
COMAR 09.10.01.50 A (1)(a)(d) which states in pertinent parts: “A horse may not (a) Carry another horse in or out;(d) Intimidate another horse; ]
April 25, 2021 - Pimlico Race Course
#21-072 Jockey, Angel Cruz, is suspended one (1) Maryland racing day, May 2, 2021, for riding the horse “Excellorator” in a careless manner in the tenth race at Pimlico Race Course on April 24, 2021, thereby causing the disqualification of “Excellorator” from first to second position.
[COMAR 09.10.01.45 AA (1).]
April 28, 2021 - Pimlico Race Course
#21-074 In the third race, at Pimlico Race Course on April 25, 2021, horse #3 “Looks Don’t Lie”, ridden by jockey
Kevin Gomez was disqualified from first position and placed second. Around the 1/8 th pole, #3
“Looks Don’t Lie” started drifting out and continued drifting out well past the 1/16th pole carrying out #2
“Classy But Sassy” ridden by Katie Davis and in doing costing #2 a best chance of placing.
COMAR 09.10.01.50 A (1)(a)(d) which states in pertinent parts: “A horse may not (a) Carry another horse in or out;(d) Intimidate another horse; ]
OFFICAL ORDER OF FINISH
1st Classy But Sassy
2nd Looks Don’t Lie
BY ORDER OF THE STEWARDS
April 28, 2021 - Pimlico Race Course
#21-075 In the ninth race, at Pimlico Race Course on April 25, 2021, horse #3 “El Equalizer”, ridden by jockey
Kevin Gomez was disqualified from first position and placed fourth. At the break, #3 “El Equalizer” veers
sharply right bumping #4 “Clever and Great” causing a chain reaction with #4 bumping #5 ‘Supporting
Actor” who bumps #6 “Military Commander” almost knocking his rider off. The rider of #3 quickly
corrected his horse but the damage was done.
COMAR 09.10.01.50 A (1)(a)(d) which states in pertinent parts: “A horse may not (c) Jostle another horse; (e) Impede another horse]
OFFICAL ORDER OF FINISH
1st Supporting Actor
2nd Gold Fellow
3rd Military Commander
4th El Equalizer
BY ORDER OF THE STEWARDS
April 30, 2021 - Pimlico Race Course
#21-073 In the matter of, Hyland Foote, subject of Stewards Ruling #14-033, dated February 8, 2014.
On April 29, 2021, Hyland Foote via phone 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. Foote 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 stipulations:
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 Hyland Foote be reinstated to good standing subject to the above-stated stipulations.
BY ORDER OF THE STEWARDS