June 2021 Thoroughbred Rulings - Maryland Racing Commission

June 3, 2021 - Pimlico Race Course
#21-097 On May 28, 2021, the Stewards received notice from Truesdail Laboratories, Inc. that blood sample #11315 dated May 9, 2021, contained the drug phenylbutazone at .869+-.047 mg/ml which is in excess of the accepted threshold of .3 mg/ml phenylbutazone established by the MRC. See COMAR 09.10.03.01. The Stewards, having established that blood sample #11315 was taken from the horse “Harbor Crossing”, owned by Barbara Reid and trained by Mark J. Reid, following the running of the third race at Pimlico Race Course on May 9, 2021. The Stewards notified Mr. Reid that: (1) the presence of phenylbutazone, at this level, in the system of “Harbor Crossing” 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, 2021, via telephone,wherein Mr. Reid waived his right to legal counsel and a split sample.

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

“Harbor Crossing” did carry an overage of phenylbutazone, in its system when it finished first in the third race at Pimlico Race Course on May 9, 2021, a violation under COMAR 09.10.03.04,C;
Mark J. Reid, as trainer, was the absolute insurer of, and responsible for, the condition of “Harbor Crossing” at the time the horse ran (Sections D & F);
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, “Harbor Crossing” be disqualified from the third race from May 9, 2021.

OFFICIAL ORDER OF FINISH
1st Aperitivo
2nd Charlie Potatoes
3rd Leave Em’ Loaded
4th transfer the Funds
5th Papa Lew
6th Darn That Harry
7th Star of Normandy

Harbor Crossing- unplaced

A Separate hearing was held wherein Trainer Mark J. reid will be assigned one half (1/2) Multiple Medication Violation Point.

June 4, 2021 - Pimlico Race Course
#21-098 Trainer, Gina Perri is fined Twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for not having the colors for “False Ruling”, entered to run in the eighth race at Pimlico Race Course on May 31, 2021, after receiving a warning on (05/23/2021) for the same offense.

THIS IS A VIOLATION OF: [COMAR 09.10.01.09] which states in part……

“It shall be the sole responsibility of the trainer to see that his or her owner’s colors are in the
jockey’s quarters to be used for his or her respective entries, failure to do so, the trainer will be subject to fine”.

(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

June 6, 2021 - Pimlico Race Course
#21-099 Trainer, Leanardro Moreno-Barban is fined Twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for not having the colors for “Quick Enough”, entered to run in the eighth race at Pimlico Race Course on June 5, 2021, after receiving a warning on (05/29/2021) for the same offense.

THIS IS A VIOLATION OF: [COMAR 09.10.01.09] which states in part……

(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

June 10, 2021 - Pimlico Race Course
#21-100 In the matter of the fifth race at Laurel Park on October 8, 2020;
On May 19, 2021, the Maryland Racing Commission convened to hear the appeal of Anthony Aguirre, Jr. The Commission voted to uphold the Stewards decision in this matter and declared Danielle Hodsdon’s “Daddy’s Cozy” the winner.

The owner/trainer of “Benny Havens”, Anthony Aguirre, Jr. has accepted the decision and will not exercise his right to appeal. Therefore the new official order of finish is as follows;

Offical Order of Finish

1st Daddy’s Cozy
2nd Can He Shine
3rd Rule Yourself
4th Up Against It
5th Rising Perry
6th Benny Havens

The purse monies affected by the dispute are to be released by the Horsemen's Bookkeeper.

BY ORDER OF THE STEWARDS

June 11, 2021 - Pimlico Race Course
#21-101 Trainer, Gregory Viands is fined Twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for not having the colors for “Just Nod and Smile”, entered to run in the fourth race at Pimlico Race Course on June 6, 2021, after receiving a warning on (05/22/2021) for the same offense.

THIS IS A VIOLATION OF: [COMAR 09.10.01.09] which states in part……

(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

June 20, 2021 - Pimlico Race Course
#21-102 Trainer, Saul Ramirez is fined Twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for not having the colors for “La Smarty”, entered to run in the sixth race at Pimlico Race Course on June 19, 2021, after receiving a warning on (06/12/2021) for the same offense.

THIS IS A VIOLATION OF: [COMAR 09.10.01.09] which states in part……

(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

June 26, 2021 - Pimlico Race Course
#21-103 Trainer, Saul Ramirez is fined One hundred dollars ($100.00) for not having the colors for “Officer Matute”, entered to run in the eighth race at Pimlico Race Course on June 25, 2021, after receiving a fine on (06/19/2021) for the same offense.

THIS IS A VIOLATION OF: [COMAR 09.10.01.09] which states in part……

(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

June 26, 2021 - Pimlico Race Course
#21-104 On March 27, 2021, the Stewards received notice from ALS Group USA,Corp. that blood sample #37949, dated February 12, 2021, contained the drug phenylbutazone at 399+-10 ng/ml or .399mg/ml which is in excess of the accepted threshold level of .3mg/ml established by the MRC. See COMAR 09.10.03.01 The Stewards established that blood sample #37949 was taken from the horse “Big Hambone”, owned by Marla Salzman and trained by John Salzman, Jr., following the running of the fifth race at Laurel Park on February 12, 2021. On April 9, 2021, the Stewards received notice from ALS Group USA, Corp. that blood sample #37960, dated March 13, 2021, contained the drug phenylbutazone at 513+-9 ng/ml or .513 mg/ml which is in excess of the accepted threshold of .3 mg/ml established by the MRC. The Stewards established that blood sample #37960 was taken from the horse “Sick Pack Sara”, owned by John Salzman, Jr. and Fred Wasserloos and trained by John Salzman, Jr., following the running of the second race at Laurel Park on March 13, 2021. The Stewards notified Mr. Salzman that: (1) the presence of phenylbutazone at this level in the systems of “Big Hambone” and "Sick Pack Sara” at the time the horses 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. Salzman exercised his right to the split sample testing. (COMAR 09.10.03.09 H 1, 2, & 3)

Upon receiving conformation from AFT Laboratory that phenylbutazone present in sample #37949 dated February 12, 2021. at a quantity level of .55+-.08mg/ml. and sample #37960 dated March 13, 2021 at a quantity level of .83+-.10 mg/ml. The Stewards held a hearing on this matter June 25, 2021, wherein Mr. Salzman waived his right to legal counsel.

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

“Big Hambone” did carry an overage of phenylbutazone, in its system when it finished second in the fifth race at Laurel Park on February 12, 2021, a violation under COMAR 09.10.03.04,C;
“Sick Pack Sara” did carry an overage of phenylbutazone in its system when it finished first in the second race at Laurel Park on March 13, 2021, a violation under COMAR 09.10.03.04,C;
John Salzman, Jr., as trainer, was the absolute insurer of, and responsible for, the condition of “Big Hambone" and “Sick Pack Sara” at the time the horses ran (Sections D & F);
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
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 that because both horses ran in the same testing period, it be considered one violation under the penalty phase.
(1) The horse “Big Hambone”, be disqualified from the fifth race on February 12, 2021 at Laurel Park.

The Horsemen’s Bookkeeper redistribute all purse monies for that race in accordance with the following order:

OFFICIAL ORDER OF FINISH

1st Revolutionary Road
2nd Wonder In
3rd Nautical Nature
4th Rock and Fellers
5th D C Fireman
6th Mystic Times
7th Smart Step
8th Daystrike
9th Bano Solo
10th Iwishiwaspecial

Big Hambone- unplaced

(2)The horse “Sick Pack Sara”, be disqualified from the second race on March 13, 2021 at Laurel Park.

The Horsemen’s Bookkeeper redistribute all purse monies for that race in accordance with the following order:

OFFICIAL ORDER OF FINISH

1st Texas Reward
2nd Keepyourskateson
3rd Hello Gracie
4th Golden Moon Shine
5th Sublimity
6th Gary Doing Biz

Sick Pack Sara- unplaced

A separate hearing was held to address the Multiple Medication Violation Point system.
Trainer John Salzman, Jr. will be assigned One-half (1/2) Multiple Medication Violation Points.
[COMAR 09.10.03.02 C]

BY ORDER OF THE STEWARDS