September 2020 Thoroughbred Rulings - Maryland Racing Commission

September 2, 2020 - Laurel Park
#20-106 In the matter of Apprentice Jockey Rebecca LaBarre; Mr. LaBarre’s apprentice allowance was to have expired on July 18, 2020. Having provided all documentation pertinent to her injury of November 13, 2019, apprentice jockey LaBarre is hereby granted one hundred and fourteen (114) days of extension. With the shutdown of racing on March 20, 2020, Ms. Labarre has been granted an extension of seventy-one (71) days and with the Covid shutdown of Colonial Downs, Ms. Labarre is granted an additional fourteen (14) days to complete her one year from his 5th winner. This extension will now continue her apprentice allowance thru February 18, 2021.
[COMAR 09.10.01.23 4(a)(i)(iv)]

September 5, 2020 - Laurel Park
#20-107 Trainer, Robin Graham, is fined Two hundred dollars ($200) for not having a current coggins test on file with the racing office for her horse “Neverfold” scheduled to run in the fourth race on September 4, 2020 necessitating a late scratch.
COMAR 09.10.04.14 A (1)

September 9, 2020 - Laurel Park
#20-108 The below listed licensees have been fined for failure to have the 2020-21 license badges they had been issued by the Maryland Racing Commission.
[COMAR 09.10.04.11, C]

- HAYNES, Robert $5.00
- CHAVEZ-ESPINOZO, Alejandro $5.00
- WHITHAM, Olivia $5.00
- HARRISON, Micheal $5.00
- ORTIZ-NIEVES, Yomar $5.00
- VASQUEZ-GUGIEL, Ottoniel $5.00
- WALLACE, Anthony $5.00
- RAMOS DEL CID, Reinaldo $5.00
- LYAPUSTINA, Tais $5.00
- VILLEGAS-ESPARZA, Nancy $5.00
- HACKERMAN, Richard $5.00
(Note: The fines have been paid)

September 11, 2020 - Laurel Park
#20-109 Trainer, Mario Serey, Jr., is fined One Hundred dollars ($100.), for failure to scratch his entry “Five Card Draw” before the Lasix cut off time for the first race on September 10, 2020.
COMAR: 09.10. 01.45 H

September 12, 2020 - Laurel Park
#20-110 Jockey, Horacio Karamanos is fined Two hundred and fifty dollars ($250.00) for violating the riding crop rule, in the second race at Laurel Park on September 11, 2020.
COMAR 09.10.01.45 H

September 12, 2020 - Laurel Park
#20-111 Jockey, Kevin Gomez is fined Two hundred and fifty dollars ($250.00) for violating the riding crop rule, in the third race at Laurel Park on September 11, 2020.
COMAR 09.10.01.45 H

September 12, 2020 - Laurel Park
#20-112 Trainer, Rudy Rodriguez is fined Two Hundred and Fifty dollars ($250.) for not presenting a scratch in a timely manner for his horses “Vip Nation”, entered to run in the seventh race at Laurel Park on September 12, 2020.

DATE: September 22, 2020 - Laurel Park
#20-113 In the matter of Apprentice Jockey Leonardo Corujo; Mr. Corujo’s apprentice allowance was to have expired on August 30, 2020. With the shutdown of racing on March 20, 2020, Mr. Corujo has been granted an extension of seventy (70) days to complete his one year from his 5th winner. This extension will now continue his apprentice allowances starting August 31, 2020 thru November 9, 2020.
[COMAR 09.10.01.23 4(a)(iv)]

September 23, 2020 - Laurel Park
#20-114 On September 19, 2020, the Stewards received notice from Truesdail Laboratories, Inc. that blood sample #34065, dated July 31, 2020, contained the drug phenylbutazone at .58 +- .056mg/ml which is in excess of the accepted threshold level of 0.3mg phenylbutazone established by the MRC. See COMAR 09.10.03.01. The Stewards, having established that blood sample #34065 was taken from the horse “Pardon the Pun”, owned by Ms. Bird Mobberley and trained by John Salzman, Jr., following the running of the sixth race at Laurel Park on July 31, 2020. The Stewards notified Mr. Salzman that: (1) the presence of phenylbutazone, at this level, in the system of “Pardon the Pun” 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 September 23, 2020 via telephone wherein Mr. Salzman waived his right to legal counsel and a split sample.

Based upon the evidence before them, the Stewards find the following:
(1) “Pardon the Pun” did carry an overage of phenylbutazone, in its system when it finished first in the sixth race at Laurel Park on July 31, 2020, a violation under COMAR 09.10.03.04,C;
(2) John Salzman, Jr., as trainer, was the absolute insurer of, and responsible for, the condition of “Pardon the Pun” 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, “Pardon the Pun” be disqualified from the sixth race from July 31, 2020.

OFFICIAL ORDER OF FINISH

1st Security Breach
2nd Auchincruive
3rd True Shipman
4th Sweet Asta
5th Reckless Life
6th Thai One On
7th My Moonshine

Pardon the Pun- unplaced

A separate hearing was held to address the Multiple Medication Violation Point system.
Trainer John Salzman, Jr. will be assigned a half (.5) Multiple Medication Violation Point.
[COMAR 09.10.03.02 C]

September 26, 2020 - Pimlico Race Course
#20-115 In the matter of stable employee Tyler Smith: On September 26, 2020 Mr. Smith 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 September 26, 2020. Mr. Smith appeared in the absence of counsel and waived his right thereto. Based upon the testimony and evidence presented at the hearing, the Stewards found Tyler Smith in violation of COMAR 09.10.03.05 Drug Prohibition-Humans.

Accordingly, the Stewards hereby order:
(1) That the license issued to Tyler Smith be suspended until such time as he has been professionally evaluated
[COMAR 09.10.03.05, F(1)].
(2) That while he is under suspension, Mr. Smith be denied the privileges of all the grounds under the jurisdiction of the Maryland Racing Commission.
[COMAR 09.10.01.45, 'Y (1) (a).]