July 2026 Standardbred Rulings - Maryland Racing Commission

July 08, 2026 — Ocean Downs — Ruling: OD 26-007

Driver Shane Griffith is hereby assessed a fine of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) for failing to bring BARSTOOL BEAUTY up into position at the start of the 5th race on July 6, 2026, at Ocean Downs, in violation of USTA R.16 S 8(g). The fine assessed must be paid within ten (10) days of the issuance of this ruling. Failure to submit payment within this period shall result in the full suspension of the Maryland Racing Commission licensee and will remain in effect until full payment is received.

July 10, 2026 — Ocean Downs — Ruling: OD 26-008

A relicensing hearing in the matter of applicant William Clark Jr. was conducted before the Maryland Racing Commission on June 10, 2026. Upon consideration of the sworn testimony, evidence presented, and the record of the proceedings, it is ordered on July 9, 2026, by the Maryland Racing Commission that Mr. Clark’s application for a license in the State of Maryland is hereby denied. It is also ordered that Mr. Clark may reapply for a license in the State of Maryland no sooner than three (3) years from the date of this order. It is further ordered that, pursuant to Business Regulation Article, §11-311 of the Annotated Code of Maryland, a party aggrieved by this decision may take an appeal as allowed by State Government Article, §§10-222 and 10-223 of the Annotated Code of Maryland.

July 10, 2026 — Ocean Downs — Ruling: OD 26-009

Driver Johnathan Ahle is hereby assessed a fine of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) for failing to bring AND JUST LIKE THAT up into position at the start of the 3rd race on July 8, 2026, at Ocean Downs, in violation of USTA R.16 S 8(g). The fine assessed must be paid within ten (10) days of the issuance of this ruling. Failure to submit payment within this period shall result in the full suspension of the Maryland Racing Commission licensee and will remain in effect until full payment is received.

July 10, 2026 — Ocean Downs — Ruling: OD 26-010

Driver Justin Parker is hereby assessed a fine of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) for one-handed whipping before the ¾ pole while driving TOOTSY ROLLS QUICK in the 10th race on July 8, 2026, at Ocean Downs, in violation of COMAR 09.10.02.33H(17). The fine assessed must be paid within ten (10) days of the issuance of this ruling. Failure to submit payment within this period shall result in the full suspension of the Maryland Racing Commission licensee and will remain in effect until full payment is received..

July 20, 2026 — Ocean Downs — Ruling: OD 26-011

Trainer Richard Hans was the trainer of record for the horse Y’ALL GOT NO SHOT in the 4th race on June 29, 2026, at Ocean Downs. Post-race analysis of blood sample #E652034 taken from Y’ALL GOT NO SHOT identified the presence of altrenogest (Regumate). This is in violation of COMAR 09.10.03.04.B(1) and COMAR 09.10.03.04.C. As a result, Mr. Hans is hereby assessed a fine of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) and must return all purse monies. Additionally, Y’ALL GOT NO SHOT is disqualified from first and placed sixth. The purse shall be redistributed in accordance with the official order of finish. All purse monies must be returned within seventy-two (72) hours of this issuance. The fine assessed must be paid within ten (10) days of the issuance of this ruling. Failure to submit payment within this period shall result in the full suspension of the Maryland Racing Commission licensee and will remain in effect until full payment is received. One (1) Multiple Medication Violation (MMV) point assessed.

July 22, 2026 — Ocean Downs — Ruling: OD 26-012

Maryland Racing Commission licensee George Calvin Rhoades is hereby summarily suspended, effective July 20, 2026, pending a Judges` administrative hearing pursuant to COMAR 09.10.02.41C. Mr. Rhoades shall remain under summary suspension until the administrative hearing has been conducted and the Judges have issued a penalty.

July 22, 2026 — Ocean Downs — Ruling: OD 26-013

Maryland Racing Commission licensee Michael Capron is hereby summarily suspended, effective July 22, 2026, pending a Judges` administrative hearing pursuant to COMAR 09.10.02.41C. Mr. Capron shall remain under summary suspension until the administrative hearing has been conducted and the Judges have issued a penalty.

July 23, 2026 — Ocean Downs — Ruling: OD 26-014

On July 20, 2026, Maryland Racing Commission personnel conducted investigative barn and truck/trailer searches at Ocean Downs. During these searches, a hypodermic needle and several syringes were discovered and confiscated belonging to trainer Mark Gray. This is in violation of COMAR 09.10.03.03.A(19)(b). As a result, Mr. Gray is hereby assessed a fine of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00). Mr. Gray shall also be issued a thirty (30)-day full suspension from July 20, 2026, through and including August 18, 2026. During this suspension, both Mr. Gray and all horses owned and/or trained by him are prohibited from entering any grounds under the jurisdiction of the Maryland Racing Commission. The fine assessed must be paid within the period of the assessed suspension. Failure to submit payment within this period shall result in the full suspension of the Maryland Racing Commission licensee and will remain in effect until full payment is received.

July 26, 2026 — Ocean Downs — Ruling: OD 26-015

Driver Russell Foster is hereby assessed a fine of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) for using exaggerated whipping motions in the stretch while driving LEW NOT LOU in the fourth race on July 22, 2026, at Ocean Downs, in violation of COMAR 09.10.02.33H(17)(b). The violation includes failure to restrict whipping movements to wrist action with minimal elbow movement and raising the whipping arm above shoulder height. The fine assessed must be paid within ten (10) days of the issuance of this ruling. Failure to submit payment within this period shall result in the full suspension of the Maryland Racing Commission licensee and will remain in effect until full payment is received.

July 27, 2026 — Ocean Downs — Ruling: OD 26-016

Driver Eric Davis is hereby assessed a fine of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) for using exaggerated whipping motions before the ¾ pole while driving ROCKIN COSETTE in the seventh race on July 26, 2026, at Ocean Downs, in violation of COMAR 09.10.02.33H(17)(b). The violation includes failure to restrict whipping movements to wrist action with minimal elbow movement and raising the whipping arm above shoulder height. The fine assessed must be paid within ten (10) days of the issuance of this ruling. Failure to submit payment within this period shall result in the full suspension of the Maryland Racing Commission licensee and will remain in effect until full payment is received.