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Auugst 2017 Thoroughbred Rulings - Maryland Racing Commission

August 3, 2017 - Laurel Park
STEWARDS: Adam Campola
Ross R Pearce
Russell G Derderian
#17-134 Trainer William Straughn is fined twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for not having the colors for “Fair Praise”, entered to run in the fifth race at Laurel Park on July 30, 2017, after receiving a warning on (07/08/2017 ) for the same offense.
THIS IS A VIOLATION OF: [COMAR 09.10.01.09]

August 3, 2017 - Laurel Park
STEWARDS: Adam Campola
Ross R Pearce
Russell G Derderian
#17-135 The Stewards do hereby rescind the fine (ruling #17-131) issued to jockey Carlos Gutierrez, dated July 29, 2017. This ruling having been issued in error.

August 5, 2017 - Laurel Park
#17-136 In the matter of stable employee Hyland Foote: On August 5, 2017, Mr. Foote was interviewed by the MRC Investigators about drug use. Mr. Foote was given the opportunity to deliver a urine sample by the MRC Investigators. Mr. Foote refused to be tested but admitted drug use and drug possession.
COMAR 09.10.03.05 A(1) (a)(i).

A hearing was held. Mr. Foote appeared in the absence of counsel and waived his right thereto. Based upon the testimony and evidence presented at the hearing, the Stewards found Hyland Foote in violation of COMAR 09.10.03.03 Drug Prohibition-Humans.

Accordingly, the Stewards hereby order:

That Mr. Foote be denied a license until such time as he completes a certified drug rehabilitation program approved by the Commission. [COMAR 09.10.03.05, F(1)], and

August 10, 2017 - Laurel Park
#17-137 The below listed licensees have been fined for failure to have the 2016-17 license badges they had been issued by the Maryland Racing Commission.
[COMAR 09.10.04.11, 'C.]

  • SINGH, Somraj $5.00
  • WILSON, Leslie $5.00
  • MARTINEZ-BARAJAS, Luis $10.00
  • MIRELES, Eleuterio $5.00
  • PRINCE, Joseph $5.00
  • BARAJAS-SOLORIO, Luis $5.00
  • SCESA, Kristina $5.00
  • WATSON, Arthur, Jr. $5.00
  • BURNS, Bruce $5.00

August 12, 2017 - Laurel Park
#17-138 Trainer Anthony Rideoutt, III is fined twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for not having the colors for “Open the Bank”, entered to run in the first race at Laurel Park on August 11, 2017, after receiving a warning on (07/21/2017) for the same offense.
THIS IS A VIOLATION OF: [COMAR 09.10.01.09]

August 12, 2017 - Laurel Park
#17-139 Trainer Gary Katz is fined twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for not having the colors for “Diana’s Vendetta”, entered to run in the fifth race at Laurel Park on August 11, 2017, after receiving a warning on (07/14/2017) for the same offense.
THIS IS A VIOLATION OF: [COMAR 09.10.01.09]

August 12, 2017 - Laurel Park
#17-140 Trainer Aparna Battula is fined twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for not having the colors for “Mo Mon’s Copycat”, entered to run in the eleventh race at Laurel Park on August 11, 2017, after receiving a warning on (07/07/2017) for the same offense.
THIS IS A VIOLATION OF: [COMAR 09.10.01.09]

August 12, 2017 - Laurel Park
#17-141 Jockey Kevin Gomez, is fined Two hundred and fifty dollars ($250.) for causing a dangerous situation galloping out after the eleventh race on the racetrack at Laurel Park on August 11, 2017.
[COMAR 09.10.01.45,H.]

August 13, 2017 - Laurel Park
#17-142 Trainer Hugh McMahon, is fined Two Hundred and Fifty dollars ($250.), for scratching his MTO entry, “Thatta Boy Girl”, out of the seventh race on August 12, 2017, without an valid reason.
COMAR: 09.10. 03.02 A(1)

August 13, 2017 - Laurel Park
#17-143 Trainer Lacey Gaudet is fined two hundred dollars ($200.00) for failure to have the foal certificate on file with the Horse Identifier for her entry “Mesmerize”, entered to run in the sixth race at Laurel Park on August 13, 2017.
COMAR:09.10.01.20,A[2]

August 18, 2017 - Laurel Park
#17-144 Trainer Aparna Buttula is fined $100.00 for not having the colors for, “Break the Mold”, entered to run in the third race at Laurel Park on August 13, 2017, after receiving a $25.00 fine on (08/11/17) for the same offense.
THIS IS A VIOLATION OF: [COMAR 09.10.01.09]

August 19, 2017 - Laurel Park
#17-145 Trainer Jamie Ness is fined twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for not having the colors for “Roethlisberger”, entered to run in the ninth race at Laurel Park on August 18, 2017, after receiving a warning on (07/09/2017) for the same offense.
THIS IS A VIOLATION OF: [COMAR 09.10.01.09]

August 19, 2017 - Laurel Park
#17-146 In the matter of Trainer Mary E. Eppler, regarding the Stewards Rulings #17-073 and #17-074

On August 3, 2017,the appeal of trainer Mary E. Epplers was heard before the Maryland Racing Commission. The findings of the case are as follows;

  1. The fine of five hundred dollars($500.) shall be rescinded
  2. Trainer Eppler will receive one (1) Multiple Medication Point
  3. The horse “Story Spinner” shall be restored as the official winner of the second race from February 10, 2017.

August 19, 2017 - Laurel Park
#17-147 On July 13, 2017, the Stewards received notice from Truesdail Laboratories, Inc., that blood sample #22603, dated June 23, 2017, contained the drug methocarbamol at a level of 1.9 ng/ml, which is in excess of the accepted threshold level of 1 ng/ml of plasma. The Stewards, have established that blood sample #22603 was taken from the horse “Puturseatbelton”, owned and trained by Anthony Aguirre, following the running of the fourth race at Laurel Park on June 23, 2017. The Stewards notified Mr. Aguirre that: (1) the presence of methocarbamol at this level in the system of “Puturseatbelton” 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. Aguirre exercised his right to the split sample testing. (COMAR 09.10.03.09 H 1, 2, & 3)

Upon receiving conformation from Pennsylvania Equine Toxicology & Research Laboratory that methocarbamol was present in sample #22603 dated June 23, at a quantity level of 2.2 +- 0.88 ng/ml, the Stewards held a hearing regarding this result on August 19, 2017. Mr. Aguirre waived his right to legal counsel.

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

  1. “Puturseatbelton”, did carry methocarbamol, in its system when it finished first in the fourth race at Laurel Park on June 23, 2017, a violation under COMAR 09.10.03.04, Section C;
  2. Anthony Aguirre, as trainer, was the absolute insurer of, and responsible for, the condition of “Puturseatbelton” at the time the horse ran (Sections D, E & F); and
  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 (Section G).

Based upon the foregoing, and in accordance with COMAR 09.10.04.03 D (3) a, b,c, & d, Stewards hereby order that:

  1. Trainer Anthony Aguirre be fined five hundred dollars ($500.00). 09.10.0145 V (1) (d)
  2. The horse, “Puturseatbelton”, be disqualified from the running of the fourth race on June 23, 2017 at Laurel Park.
  3. The Horsemen's Bookkeeper redistribute all purse monies for that race in accordance with the following order:

OFFICIAL ORDER OF FINISH

1st Came Back
2nd It’s a Plane
3rd Political Farce
4th Cue
5th Winter Springs
6th Bay Bridge
7th My Vet’s a Genius
8th Classic Wildcat
9th Flash Heart
10th Kitty Fredo
11th Put It Back Jack

Puturseatbelton- unplaced

August 31, 2017 - Timonium
#17-148 On August 5, 2017, the Stewards received notice from the Truesdail Laboratories, Inc. that urine sample #22863, dated July 22, 2017, contained the drug cocaine and its metabolite, benzoylecgonine which is not on the approved list of Controlled Therapeutic Substances for the Maryland Racing Commission. The Stewards established that urine sample #22863 was taken from the horse “Six Tonsafun”, owned by Rob Ry Farm and Jane Marie Slysz and trained by Dale Capuano, following the running of the fourth race at Laurel Park on July 22, 2017. The Stewards notified Mr. Capuano that: (1) the presence of cocaine in the system of “Six Tonsafun” 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.

Prior to a hearing be held, the MRC Investigator brought in the groom of the horse. Because of his past history and the drug in question, the groom was requested to deliver a urine sample. He refused to take the drug test but did admit that he was in possession of cocaine the day the horse ran.

Mr. Capuano did not exercise his right to the split sample testing. (COMAR 09.10.03.09 H 1, 2, & 3)

The Stewards held a hearing on August 20, 2017. Mr.Capuano waived his right to legal counsel.

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

  1. “Six Tonsafun” did carry cocaine in its system when it finished first in the fourth race at Laurel Park on July 22, 2017, a violation under COMAR 09.10.03.04, Section C;
  2. Dale Capuano, as trainer, was the absolute insurer of, and responsible for, the condition of “Six Tonsafun” 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.

The Stewards hereby order that:

  1. Because of mitigating circumstances,Trainer Dale Capuano not be fined or suspended.
  2. The horse “Six Tonsafun”, be disqualified from the fourth race on July 22, 2017 at Laurel Park.
  3. The Horsemen’s Bookkeeper redistribute all purse monies for that race in accordance with the following order:

OFFICIAL ORDER OF FINISH

1st Abracadabra
2nd Un Po Di Vino
3rd Sasana
4th Like a Lion
5th Channel Surfing
6th Music Makes Sense
7th Greeley’s Bustnout
8th Seaside Schiller
9th First to Fire

Six Tonsafun- unplaced

August 31, 2017 - Timonium
#17-149 On August 23, 2017, the Stewards received notice from Truesdail Laboratories, Inc. that blood sample #14319, dated August 12, 2017, contained the drug phenylbutazone at 3.2 mg/ml which is in excess of the accepted threshold level of 2 mcg/ml of plasma or serum established by the MRC. The Stewards, having established that blood sample #14319 was taken from the horse “Came Up Rosie”, owned by Jessica Campitelli and trained by Francis Campitelli, following the running of the fifth race at Laurel Park. The Stewards notified Mr. Campitelli on August 25, 2017 that: (1) the presence of phenylbutazone, at this level, in the system of “Came Up Rosie” 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.
.
A hearing was held via telephone on August 27, 2017 wherein Mr. Campitelli waived his right to send a split sample and to legal counsel.

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

  1. “Came Up Rosie” did carry an overage of phenylbutazone, in its system when it finished first in the fifth race at Laurel Park on August 12, 2017, a violation under COMAR 09.10.03.04, Section C;
  2. Francis Campitelli, as trainer, was the absolute insurer of, and responsible for, the condition of “Came Up Rosie” at the time the horse ran (Sections D & F); and
  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 (Section G).

Based upon the foregoing, the Stewards hereby order that:

Trainer Francis Campitelli, be fined in the amount of Five Hundred ($500.).

A hearing was held via telephone on August 30, 2017 concerning the Multiple Medication Violation Points.

Trainer Francis Campitelli is assigned one half point (1/2).