Horseracing's Casualties, 10/20/14-10/26/14

This is a PARTIAL list of overt abuses from my database; based on what I’ve seen, the action has to be pretty damned egregious before the stewards are willing to take action. If you go to the very end of this batch of examples, you’ll see entries I copied 50 years ago from old Daily Racing Forms (my great-uncle had them going well back to 1900 or so, a whole closet full, and I read ever single one of them) — anyhow, decades ago, wrongdoers were shamed in the DRF. They’d rule you off in a heartbeat back then… just as they should now but do not. For example, Christian Santiago-Reyes and Eswan Flores have many, many, many violations; I didn’t copy all of them because they’re all the same…

10/19/2014 Groom Norman Lindsay $100 VIOLATION OF ANIMAL WELFARE RULES. Santa Anita.

09/21/2014 Trainer Ken Danyluk $200 DISORDERLY CONDUCT—ANIMAL WELFARE. From the stewards’ minutes: “Mr. Danyluk felt that Dr. Fitzgerald had a personal vendetta against him from an earlier incident but admitted to and accepted responsibility for his improper actions and language.” (Notes don’t say—my best guess is that Dr. Fitzgerald refused to let his entry TM Maddammee pass the vet check and then put her on the vet list as unsound—and the trainer got pissed off about it.) Los Al.

08/31/2014 Jockey Tyler Baze $300 USE OF WHIPS—USING WHIP AFTER FINISH OF RACE. Horse, 3YO colt Rocked Twice, 6th in the 4th race. The colt had run 1st his previous two starts. Was Baze perhaps expecting more than just the jock’s fee for this race? Frustrated and taking it out on the colt perhaps? Trainer John Sadler. Del Mar.

07/25/2014 Owner Mark Moran and owner-trainer Shane Moran, settlement reached on allegations of CONDUCT DETRIMENTAL TO RACING and ANIMAL WELFARE (ANIMAL CRUELTY). From the DRF: “Two of the horses in Moran’s care in 2013 were found to be in such poor condition that they were later euthanized by a large animal veterinary clinic in El Cajon, Calif., according to a report by racing board investigators. The horses in the investigation were owned by the trainer’s brother, Mark Moran of Panama City, Fla. Mark Moran was fined $1,000 and ordered to relinquish his owner’s license before Aug. 8, according to a stewards’ ruling. The ruling stated that Mark Moran, 56, cannot reapply for a license until Nov. 1, 2017. In a complaint filed in 2013, racing board investigators said that Mark Moran ‘showed no interest in the condition of his horses.’ Shane Moran’s suspension runs from Sept. 1 to Oct. 1. Beginning Oct. 1, Moran will be on probation through Dec. 16, 2016 and must adhere to eight conditions set forth by the racing board. The investigation stemmed from the care and treatment of Moran’s horses through 2013. Racing board investigators wrote in a statement that Moran’s horses were found to be “not able to run or unhealthy.” In addition, the investigators wrote that Moran races and trains his horses to the extent that ‘the horses have serious health injuries and then he contacts a(n) animal rescue facility to take the horses. The horses are in such poor health that [they] cannot be rehabilitated. The horse must then be put down [due] to the fact that their injuries are life threatening.’ The horses Chazmule and Quick Haunt were euthanized after they were assessed by veterinarians on behalf of a horse rescue operation, according to racing board investigators.” KILLING TWO HORSES, PALMING OTHERS OFF ON RESCUE GROUPS, SENDING HORSES TO KB AUCTIONS… AND NOT RULED OFF FOR LIFE? WTF? Del Mar.

07/06/2014 Jockey Silvio Amador $300 MISUSE OF WHIP (HE HIT HIS MOUNT ON THE HEAD DURING THE STRETCH RUN). Oak Tree at Pleasanton.

06/25/2014 Jockey David Garcia $1000 AGGRESSIVELY USING HIS CROP IN A SEVERE AND BRUTAL MANNER STRIKING HIS MOUNT BEHIND THE KNEE AND BREAKING THE CROP DURING MORNING WORK. Horse, Clementis. Woodbine.

06/22/2014 Jockey Kirk Johnson $200 STRIKING HIS HORSE MORE THAN THREE TIMES IN A ROW DURING THE STRETCH RUN—MR. JOHNSON HAD RECEIVED A PREVIOUS CAUTION REGARDING EXCESSIVE USE OF THE CROP. Horse, Cleverking, 4th race. Woodbine.

06/14/2014, jockey Alonso Quinonez was fined $300 for MISUSE OF THE WHIP on Warren’s Assassin, winner of the 8th race (a $12.5K CLM) on 05/24/2014 at Santa Anita. Stewards’ minutes for the whipping incident say: “The horse was observed to have A LARGE WELT AND BLOOD ON ITS RIGHT FLANK. After seeing the photos and looking at the video, Mr. Quinonez acknowledged his guilt. He said that he would be more cognizant of where he hits his mounts in the future.”

06/08/2014 Jockey Omar Moreno one day suspension, $300 USING HIS CROP IN AN EXCESSIVE MANNER, STRIKING HIS MOUNT MORE THAN THREE TIMES IN SUCCESSION DURING THE STRETCH RUN. Horse, Sorry About That, 3rd race. Woodbine.

05/22/2014 Exercise rider Edwin Orozco “… was in the office this morning [called to appear before the stewards at Santa Anita because he] used the strap end of his belt on the horse War Academy which had ‘frozen’ at the finish line and the middle of the track and refused to move. [Orozco], who took over riding the horse after it injured another rider two weeks ago, admitted that he did use his belt, but stated he did not have a whip, and given the horse’s position on the track he felt that the issue of safety outweighed using the belt… one of the morning outriders attempted to help him [move the horse out of the path of oncoming horses], but to no avail… [Orozco] realizes he made a mistake, but says he was attempting to diffuse a potentially dangerous situation.” *NOTE: War Academy is a 4YO colt (5 starts 2-1-0, earnings $86,800) trained by BOB BAFFERT, owned by Mrs. John Magnier, John Tabor and Derrick Smith.

04/26/2014 Jockey Barrington Harvey $300 HITTING HIS MOUNT OVER THE HEAD WITH HIS WHIP DURING THE 8TH RACE. Horse, Red Formal. From the stewards’ notes: “Harvey contacted the Stewards by phone and pled guilty to striking the horse about the head and ears. He was informed this was unacceptable and any future violations could result in escalated penalties.” Golden Gate.

04/13/2014 Trainer Ina Hajek $500 ANIMAL WELFARE—NEGLECT, FAILURE TO HAVE A PERSON IN ATTENDANCE. Santa Anita.

12/18/2013 Jockey Jorge Martin Bourdieu $200 MISUSE OF THE WHIP, STRIKING HIS MOUNT IN THE HEAD. Horse, Wildcat Energy, 3rd race on 12/07/2013. Turf Paradise.

12/03/2013 “Groom Barry Dale Thornton … occupational license is hereby revoked effective December 2, 2013 because Mr. Barry Thornton, as groom for trainer James Thornton, contributed to the failure to insure the health, safety and welfare of the horse Iwouldloveto WHICH RESULTED IN HER DEATH IN THE STABLE AREA at Retama Park on 10/11/13.” Iwouldloveto was a 3YO filly with three starts, finished 8th on 10/04/2013, 10th on 03/02/2013 and 7th on 02/25/2013, all MSWs. TRAINER JAMES HUBERT THORNTON ALSO LOST HIS LICENSE BECAUSE OF THE FILLY’S DEATH, LICENSE YANKED FOR “IMPROPER OR INHUMANE TREATMENT OF ANIMAL.” The facts: the filly flipped in the paddock prior to the final race on 10/11/2013, a $5K MDN. She was okay, but the jock refused to ride. The Thorntons took her back to stable area, tried to load her, she wouldn’t load, they tried to beat her onto trailer, she was injured. They dumped her in a stall and left, their story being that they went to get a bigger trailer. The next morning, the filly was found dead in her stall. The Thorntons failed to show for their hearing and got their licenses REVOKED. Well done, Retama (track officials even called Selma police to file animal cruelty charges). This poor filly was only a 3YO, 3 starts 8-10-7, earnings $300… RIP, little bay filly.

10/06/2013 “JOCKEY RAFAEL M. HERNANDEZ IS HEREBY ASSESSED A CIVIL PENALTY OF TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS ($200.00) FOR STRIKING HIS HORSE RIGHT NOW RICHIE IN THE HEAD DURING THE RUNNING OF THE SEVENTH RACE ON OCTOBER 4, 2013 AT HAWTHORNE RACE COURSE.”
10/05/2013 “JOCKEY TONY BENNETT IS HEREBY ASSESSED AN ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTY OF TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS ($200.00) FOR STRIKING HIS HORSE ‘TALON GONE WILD’ IN THE HEAD DURING THE RUNNING (of a race).” Prairie Meadows.

10/06/2013 “The CHRB filed a complaint against Gateman Leo Urbina for a possible violation of CHRB rule 1902.5 (ANIMAL WELFARE)… Investigator Amivea provided black and white photos of the horse and Safety Steward Luis Jauregui testified to the condition of the pony horse on the day it was inspected. Mr. Urbina explained he was going to use the horse to pony horses at Del Mar, but not finding any work he made arrangements to ship the horse off the grounds. Mr. Urbina did have a Pony Rider license in 2009. The horse was stabled in trainer Walther Solis’s inside barn until August 30, 2013, and on that day it was moved to the outside pen while waiting to be shipped to Hollywood Park. The horse was shipped the next morning. Mr. Urbina’s father owns the horse in question. Decision to follow.” URBINA FINED $200 AND PROHIBITED FROM CONTACT WITH HORSES FOR TWO YEARS. Santa Anita

09/25/2013 Jockey ZACHARIE SHANE KELSEY $200 “FOR STRIKING HIS HORSE ‘COSMIC WANDERER’ IN THE HEAD AFTER THE RUNNING OF THE FOURTH (4TH) RACE ON SEPTEMBER 22, 2013.” Prairie Meadows.

09/04/2013 Jockey Jack Lauzon $200 MISUSE OF THE CROP, RAISING HIS HAND ABOVE SHOULDER HEIGHT WHILE STRIKING HIS MOUNT DURING THE STRETCH RUN. Jockey has been previously cautioned “with regard to the urging rules.” Horse, Gobi Gold, 5th race. Fort Erie.

08/16/2013 Apprentice jockey Skye N. Chernetz $200 USING HER CROP IN AN ECXCESSIVE MANNER, STRIKING HER MOUNT MORE THAN THREE TIMES IN SUCCESSION DURING THE STRETCH RUN. Horse, Elizabeth City, 8th race. Woodbine.

02/01/2013 Jockey Donnie Meche $200 STRUCK HIS MOUNT ON THE HEAD. Louisiana Downs.

01/20/2013 “OWNER RAUL SOSA IS FINED THREE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($300.00) FOR VIOLATION OF CALIFORNIA HORSE RACING BOARD RULE #1902.5 (ANIMAL WELFARE).” Los Al.

01/20/2013 “TRAINER KELLY CASTANEDA IS FINED THREE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($300.00) FOR VIOLATION OF CALIFORNIA HORSE RACING BOARD RULE #1902.5 (ANIMAL WELFARE).” Los Al.

07/08/2012 “Apprentice jockey ESWAN FLORES is fined THREE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($300.00)* for violation of California Horse Racing Board rule #1688 (Use of Whips-hitting his mount after the wire) following the running of the first race at Betfair Hollywood Park on July 4, 2012.”

05/04/2012 Trainer RICHARD DOYLE JACKSON summarily suspended… “ YOU POSE AN IMMEDIATE DANGER TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY, OR WELFARE… ON MAY 3, 2012, THEY (DCI AGENTS) SEARCHED TRAINER RICHARD JACKSON’S TACK ROOM AND FOUND A NEEDLE AND AN INJECTABLE BOTTLE OF ADEQUAN … ONE VICODIN AND ONE HYDROCODONE …YOUR POSITION AS TRAINER IS A POSITION OF HIGHEST RESPONSIBILITY AFFECTING JOCKEYS, HORSES, AS WELL AS PATRONS. THE SUSPENSION OF YOUR LICENSE IS NECESSARY TO PROTECT THE JOCKEYS, HORSES AND THE PUBLIC’S HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE, AS WELL AS THE INTEGRITY OF HORSE RACING. YOU WILL BE NOTIFIED IN WRITING BY THE BOARD OF STEWARDS REGARDING THE DATE AND TIME OF YOUR HEARING. YOU ARE BARRED FROM PARTICIPATING IN, OR WORKING AT, ANY PARI-MUTUEL RACETRACK OR GAMING FACILITY LICENSED TO OPERATE IN THE STATE OF IOWA.” Prairie Meadows.

11/09/2011 Jockey CHARLES MCMAHON $100 for EXCESSIVE WHIPPING during 1st race 11/05/2011. Delta Downs.

10/29/2011 Jockey Julien Couton $300 for KICKING A HORSE AFTER A WORK. Golden Gate.

10/22/2011 “Jockey ANTONIO CASTANON is fined three hundred dollars ($300.00…USE OF WHIPS – ON THE FLANKS, CAUSING WELTS… aboard Boomtown during the first race on September 10, 2011 … Welts on the right flank were noticed when the horse came to be post-race tested. Mr. Castanon asked for leniency as he said he had not cut or welted a horse during his riding career, but was told that fines in this instance were virtually automatic.” Fairmount Park.

10/18/2011 Jockey Perry S. Whetstone $210 “for STRIKING HIS MOUNT ON THE HEAD WITH HIS WHIP.” Horse, unspecified TB. Turf Paradise. (Previous violations for failure to have sufficient control of mount on 04/30/2011, careless riding on 03/29/2011, failure to fulfill riding obligations 01/28/2011.)

09/03/2011 “Exercise Rider GUILLERMO I. MURO …$300… misuse of the reins during morning training hours. Muro admitted to galloping on the inside rail after being warned by the outriders not to do so and STRIKING A MOUNT WITH THE KNOT OF HIS REINS. Muro stated the outriders were singling him out and picking on him but HIS ATTITUDE LEFT THE STEWARDS WITH THE CONCLUSION THAT MURO HAS A PROBLEM WITH ANYONE IN AUTHORITY.” Golden Gate.

08/26/2011 JOCKEY EDUARDO NICASIO IS FINED THREE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($300.00)* FOR …WHIPPING IN POST PARADE ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011. The above ruling was issued to jockey Eduardo Nicasio for striking his mount in the post parade with the whip twice on Friday, August 19, 2011, in the third race. Mr. Nicasio stated that the pony was laying on his horse, which was not the way the Stewards saw it on the night in question and that it was not a valid reason anyway.

08/20/2011 Jockey Tyler Baze ordered off his mounts and suspended until he gets counseling after TWO BREATHALYZER TESTS SHOWED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO RIDE IN A RACE WITH A BLOOD ALCOHOL CONTENT ABOVE THE LEGAL LIMIT. Del Mar.

08/20/2011 Jockey Rohan Singh after appearing before the Stewards… fined the sum of $500 for misuse of his whip – EXCESSIVE AND ABUSIVE STRIKING OF HIS MOUNT – in the 8th race August 17, 2011 in the stretch drive. Assiniboia Downs.08/11/2013 Jockey Pablo Morales $500 MISUSE OF THE CROP—STRIKING HIS MOUNT MORE THAN THREE TIMES IN SUCCESSION DURING THE STRETCH RUN OF THE 8TH RACE, THE ONTARIO DEBUTANTE STAKES ON 08/10/2013. Horse, Sweetsoutherndame. Woodbine.

07/07/2011 Jockey CHRISTIAN SANTIAGO REYES is fined FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS … PERSISTENTLY WHIPPING WHILE THE HORSE IS NOT RESPONDING…the third race at Hollywood Park on June 24, 2011.

07/01/2011 Jockey Tommy Molina $500 “STOMPING THE HINDQUARTERS OF HIS MOUNT IN THE STARTING STALL after the horse Dancing in the Rain tried to flip in the gate and unseated his rider on Saturday June 25, 2011.” Arlington Park.

07/01/2011 “Jockey CHRISTIAN SANTIAGO REYES is fined FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS …USE OF WHIPS-PERSISTENTLY WHIPPING WHILE THE HORSE IS NOT RESPONDING… the third race at Hollywood Park on June 24, 2011… Films revealed that his horse had dropped back to last and when he struck the horse eight times in rapid succession around the five sixteenths pole. He used his whip again in the stretch despite being many lengths last. Mr. Reyes explained that he wanted to make sure his trainer knew that he was trying. We told him that that was not even close to a valid excuse.”

06/19/2011 Jockey RODRIGO ACEVES $500 WHIPPING IN THE POST PARADE. Horse, unspecified QH. Los Alamitos.

05/21/2011 Jockey E.T. Baird $100 REPEATEDLY STRIKING HIS MOUNT WITHOUT GIVING IT A CHANCE TO RESPOND during the 4th race. Arlington Park.

05/21/2011 Jockey Florent Geroux $100 REPEATEDLY STRIKING HIS MOUNT WITHOUT GIVING HER A CHANCE TO RESPOND during the 6th race. Arlington Park.

05/20/2011 Jockey Seth Martinez $1000 REPEATEDLY STRIKING HIS MOUNT WITHOUT GIVING IT A CHANCE TO RESPOND—FIFTH VIOLATION. 7th race, 05/18/2011. Arlington Park.

05/14/2011 Jockey Seth Martinez $500 REPEATEDLY STRIKING HIS HORSE WITHOUT GIVING IT A CHANCE TO RESPOND—HIS FOURTH VIOLATION during the running of the 10th race 05/07/2011. Arlington Park.

04/09/2011 Jockey Seth Martinez $800 REPEATEDLY STRIKING HIS MOUNT WITHOUT GIVING IT TIME TO RESPOND 3rd race 04/06/2011. Hawthorne.

04/08/2011 “Jockey HECTOR ROMERO, who rode LAMA CHANT in the second race on February 5, 2011, is fined the sum of three hundred dollars ($300.00) … (USE OF WHIPS – CAUSING WELTS OR BREAKS IN THE SKIN.) GOLDEN GATE.”

01/03/2011 Trainer JAMES THOMAS EVERAERT $1000—license revoked 04/19/2010 for stabbing his former business partner’s horse in the neck with intent to kill the animal. Actual charge was “animal abuse.” He also threatened the lives of five people, three of whom were licensed by the ORC. Portland Meadows.

12/01/2010 Trainer Joseph K. Hall (Standardbred) $1000 “For conduct against the best interest of racing and cruelty to animals by ADMINISTERING A JUG INTRAVENOUSLY TO A HORSE THAT WAS NOT UNDER HIS CARE THAT RESULTED IN THE DEATH OF THE HORSE MILLER PLEASE.” (Sounds like a horrible death for the poor horse. Why were Hall and Banks not arrested by local law enforcement authorities for animal abuse?) Lebanon Raceway.

08/20/2010 Jockey Alex Bautista $300 for WHIPPING IN THE POST PARADE. Horse, unspecified TB. Los Al.
09/11/2009 “Exercise rider ONECIMO GARCIA. One hundred dollars ($100). A hearing was held on September 4, 2009, for Exercise Rider Onecino Garcia in the Stewards Office. It was determined that Mr. Garcia HIT A HORSE IN THE HEAD WITH HIS FIST WHILE ON TRACK during the morning.” Hoosier Park.

08/06/2009 “Apprentice Jockey Christian Santiago Reyes is fined FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($500)* …USE OF WHIPS – CAUSING WELTS OR BREAKS IN THE SKIN…at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club on July 23, 2009 (second offense).”

07/25/2009 Trainer Stan Hartman “ALLEGED ABUSE TO AN INJURED ANIMAL-DISMISSED W/ STERN WARNING.” (Priors include $315 for bad test 01/17/2009 and 30 day probation for lying on his license application.) Yavapai Downs.

06/06/2009 “Jockey Corey Nakatani appeared to review last Saturday’s seventh race. The rider’s horse was well last at the eighth pole, and Nakatani whipped the horse to the wire. The jockey explained THE TRAINER INSTRUCTED HIM TO RIDE THE HORSE HARD THE LAST EIGHTH OF A MILE. Mr. Nakatani was advised that WHIPPING A HOPELESSLY BEATEN HORSE was unacceptable.”

05/17/2009 “Jockey BARRINGTON HARVEY is fined the sum of fifteen hundred dollars ($1,500.00) for violation of California Horse Racing Board rule #1688 (b) (1) (Use of Whips) during the running of the second race on April 26, 2009 (THIRD OFFENSE).” Golden Gate.

04/30/2009 Appeals hearing before the Ontario Racing Commission: Jockey Michael J. McMullen was suspended 5 days for WHIPPING A HORSE ON THE HEAD (Murphy’s Devil in the 6th on 08/19/2008 at Fort Erie). McMullen lost his appeal.

10/19/2008 The stewards held a formal hearing this morning into case number 08DM0015 filed by the CHRB involving groom/hotwalker FRED PETERSON. The complaint alleged SEVERAL RULE VIOLATIONS SURROUNDING AN ALLEGED INCIDENT OF ANIMAL ABUSE AGAINST MR. PETERSON’S DOG. Unfortunately, the security officer for Del Mar could not be located, thus he did not attend the hearing. Therefore with no evidence, the stewards had no choice but to dismiss the complaint. It pained us to take no action, as this type of behavior, if proven, would certainly have resulted in the revocation of Mr. Peterson’s license. However, a positive aspect of the case was the fact that THE DOG IS NOW SAFE AND NO LONGER UNDER THE CARE OF MR. PETERSON.”

07/08/2007 “Exercise rider ERIK KRUG met with the Stewards in an informal hearing to discuss case number 07SA143, which involved ALLEGED DISORDERLY CONDUCT AND A SUBSEQUENT COCAINE POSITIVE. Mr. Krug was suspended at Oak Tree for failure to appear to address this complaint. Although claiming that he has never done cocaine, Mr. Krug brought Bob Fletcher from the Winners Foundation, and was frankly willing to accept any penalty the Stewards believed appropriate. Although Mr. Krug offered several explanations, he refreshingly offered no excuses.” Riding under the influence; can you imagine what the horses endured?

07/08/2007 “Apprentice Jockey PEDRO FLORES is fined the sum of one thousand dollars ($1,000.00)* for MISUSE OF THE WHIP (WHIPPING THE HORSE ON THE FLANK) on June 22, June 24 and June 27, 2007…” Pleasanton.

06/26/2007 Jockey Victor Molina $1000, 30 days“Molina, a 27-year veteran, was scheduled to ride Hidden Meadows Farm’s 2-year-old Yes Yes Ohyes in the third race June 18. The colt reared and pinned Molina briefly in the starting gate, then banged Molina’s head and chest. After the horse was backed out and ordered scratched by the track veterinarian, MOLINA WAS SHOWN KICKING THE COLT AS HE WENT TO REMOVE HIS TACK… Molina was immediately ejected from the track.” Philadelphia Park.

08/10/2006 “Apprentice jockey MARTIN G. GARCIA is hereby fined one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) for violation of California Horse Racing Board Rule #1688 (B) (1,3) (USE OF WHIPS – HIT HORSE ON FLANK – CAUSING BREAK IN SKIN) (THREE OFFENSES).”

05/10/2006 Assistant trainer PATRICK EMMETT CARROLL suspended by Oregon Racing Commission for animal abuse.

04/15/2006 Trainer Tony Sedillo $100 “FOR STRIKING HIS ENTRY RUNAWAY LAVEAUX IN THE PADDOCK before the running of the 4th race.” Delta Downs.

07/12/2005 DR. SEAN SALTSBURG, pled guilty to animal cruelty (HE ADMITTED TO BLINDING A HORSE). From the Leihigh Valley Morning Call newspaper: “A former Bucks County veterinarian accused of abusing three horses under his care admitted Monday he blinded one of them, [charges that he beat them, although true, were dropped as part of a plea bargain]. Sean Saltsburg, 36, pleaded guilty to one count of animal cruelty and two counts of disorderly conduct in Bucks County Court. Judge Albert Cepparulo sentenced him to nine months of probation, the maximum under the law… Saltsburg, who recently sold his house in Buckingham Township and now works as a horse veterinarian in Maryland, was accused of abusing horses he was tending at farms in Buckingham, Doylestown and Hilltown townships in 2002 and 2003… ‘Williams [vet’s lawyer] said, ‘He didn’t want to admit to beating any horses, because he didn’t beat any horses. He doesn’t deny the horse was blinded in his care.’ In that incident, SALTSBURG TOLD THE COURT HE ‘GOT INTO AN ALTERCATION’ WITH A MARE, Ballerta Nena, at a Doylestown Township farm in May 2003. Saltsburg said the two both hit the wall and the horse subsequently went blind. In an arrest affidavit, SALTSBURG WAS ACCUSED OF HITTING THE HORSE IN THE HEAD, PUNCHING ANOTHER HORSE IN THE HEAD AND KICKING A THIRD ONE FOR TWO MINUTES WHILE IT LAY ON THE GROUND. Judge Cepparulo said Saltsburg’s explanation of why the horse went blind didn’t make sense, adding that he hoped a state board would ‘seriously consider’ the guilty plea when deciding whether to revoke his license. The Board of Veterinary Medicine under the Pennsylvania Department of State is investigating whether Saltsburg should be allowed to practice in the state, Woodward said. Saltsburg, who stood emotionless before Cepparulo throughout the hearing, must complete a county-approved anger management course as part of his probation and pay $900 in fines.”

06/12/1921 Jockey J. Rodriguez suspended 25 days for “rough riding.” Latonia.
06/02/1921 Jockey H. Williams suspended for balance of meeting for unnecessary abuse of his mount. Belmont.
01/29/1921 Jockey J. McIntyre license revoked for foul riding. Havana.
08/03/1916 Jockey E. Heider suspended for “rough riding.” Saratoga.
08/02/1916 Jockey A. Pickens suspended for “foul riding.” Hamilton.
07/08/1916 Jockey G. Byrne suspended “for disobedience at the post.” Fort Erie.
06/20/1916 Jockey J. Daniels suspended “for rough riding and IMPERTINENCE.” Maisonneuve.
05/26/1916 Owner M. Doyle and stable “ordered away for MAKING CRITICAL INSINUATIONS.” Tijuana.
03/03/1916 Owner R.G. Brown and stable ruled off “FOR ALLOWING THE USE OF AN ELECTRIC BUTTON ON ONE OF HIS HORSES.” Juarez.
02/14/1916 Jockey D. Steward license revoked and barred from track for fighting with gateman. New Orleans.

2 Comments

georgiegirl10

October 27, 2014 / 12:44 pm

Complete disgrace…..and I’d like to take those whips and show the owners, trainers and jockeys exactly what I think of them.

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Linda Broussard

October 27, 2014 / 5:04 pm

This is a PARTIAL list of overt abuses from my database; based on what I’ve seen, the action has to be pretty damned egregious before the stewards are willing to take action. If you go to the very end of this batch of examples, you’ll see entries I copied 50 years ago from old Daily Racing Forms (my great-uncle had them going well back to 1900 or so, a whole closet full, and I read ever single one of them) — anyhow, decades ago, wrongdoers were shamed in the DRF. They’d rule you off in a heartbeat back then… just as they should now but do not. For example, Christian Santiago-Reyes and Eswan Flores have many, many, many violations; I didn’t copy all of them because they’re all the same…

10/19/2014 Groom Norman Lindsay $100 VIOLATION OF ANIMAL WELFARE RULES. Santa Anita.

09/21/2014 Trainer Ken Danyluk $200 DISORDERLY CONDUCT—ANIMAL WELFARE. From the stewards’ minutes: “Mr. Danyluk felt that Dr. Fitzgerald had a personal vendetta against him from an earlier incident but admitted to and accepted responsibility for his improper actions and language.” (Notes don’t say—my best guess is that Dr. Fitzgerald refused to let his entry TM Maddammee pass the vet check and then put her on the vet list as unsound—and the trainer got pissed off about it.) Los Al.

08/31/2014 Jockey Tyler Baze $300 USE OF WHIPS—USING WHIP AFTER FINISH OF RACE. Horse, 3YO colt Rocked Twice, 6th in the 4th race. The colt had run 1st his previous two starts. Was Baze perhaps expecting more than just the jock’s fee for this race? Frustrated and taking it out on the colt perhaps? Trainer John Sadler. Del Mar.

07/25/2014 Owner Mark Moran and owner-trainer Shane Moran, settlement reached on allegations of CONDUCT DETRIMENTAL TO RACING and ANIMAL WELFARE (ANIMAL CRUELTY). From the DRF: “Two of the horses in Moran’s care in 2013 were found to be in such poor condition that they were later euthanized by a large animal veterinary clinic in El Cajon, Calif., according to a report by racing board investigators. The horses in the investigation were owned by the trainer’s brother, Mark Moran of Panama City, Fla. Mark Moran was fined $1,000 and ordered to relinquish his owner’s license before Aug. 8, according to a stewards’ ruling. The ruling stated that Mark Moran, 56, cannot reapply for a license until Nov. 1, 2017. In a complaint filed in 2013, racing board investigators said that Mark Moran ‘showed no interest in the condition of his horses.’ Shane Moran’s suspension runs from Sept. 1 to Oct. 1. Beginning Oct. 1, Moran will be on probation through Dec. 16, 2016 and must adhere to eight conditions set forth by the racing board. The investigation stemmed from the care and treatment of Moran’s horses through 2013. Racing board investigators wrote in a statement that Moran’s horses were found to be “not able to run or unhealthy.” In addition, the investigators wrote that Moran races and trains his horses to the extent that ‘the horses have serious health injuries and then he contacts a(n) animal rescue facility to take the horses. The horses are in such poor health that [they] cannot be rehabilitated. The horse must then be put down [due] to the fact that their injuries are life threatening.’ The horses Chazmule and Quick Haunt were euthanized after they were assessed by veterinarians on behalf of a horse rescue operation, according to racing board investigators.” KILLING TWO HORSES, PALMING OTHERS OFF ON RESCUE GROUPS, SENDING HORSES TO KB AUCTIONS… AND NOT RULED OFF FOR LIFE? WTF? Del Mar.

07/06/2014 Jockey Silvio Amador $300 MISUSE OF WHIP (HE HIT HIS MOUNT ON THE HEAD DURING THE STRETCH RUN). Oak Tree at Pleasanton.

06/25/2014 Jockey David Garcia $1000 AGGRESSIVELY USING HIS CROP IN A SEVERE AND BRUTAL MANNER STRIKING HIS MOUNT BEHIND THE KNEE AND BREAKING THE CROP DURING MORNING WORK. Horse, Clementis. Woodbine.

06/22/2014 Jockey Kirk Johnson $200 STRIKING HIS HORSE MORE THAN THREE TIMES IN A ROW DURING THE STRETCH RUN—MR. JOHNSON HAD RECEIVED A PREVIOUS CAUTION REGARDING EXCESSIVE USE OF THE CROP. Horse, Cleverking, 4th race. Woodbine.

06/14/2014, jockey Alonso Quinonez was fined $300 for MISUSE OF THE WHIP on Warren’s Assassin, winner of the 8th race (a $12.5K CLM) on 05/24/2014 at Santa Anita. Stewards’ minutes for the whipping incident say: “The horse was observed to have A LARGE WELT AND BLOOD ON ITS RIGHT FLANK. After seeing the photos and looking at the video, Mr. Quinonez acknowledged his guilt. He said that he would be more cognizant of where he hits his mounts in the future.”

06/08/2014 Jockey Omar Moreno one day suspension, $300 USING HIS CROP IN AN EXCESSIVE MANNER, STRIKING HIS MOUNT MORE THAN THREE TIMES IN SUCCESSION DURING THE STRETCH RUN. Horse, Sorry About That, 3rd race. Woodbine.

05/22/2014 Exercise rider Edwin Orozco “… was in the office this morning [called to appear before the stewards at Santa Anita because he] used the strap end of his belt on the horse War Academy which had ‘frozen’ at the finish line and the middle of the track and refused to move. [Orozco], who took over riding the horse after it injured another rider two weeks ago, admitted that he did use his belt, but stated he did not have a whip, and given the horse’s position on the track he felt that the issue of safety outweighed using the belt… one of the morning outriders attempted to help him [move the horse out of the path of oncoming horses], but to no avail… [Orozco] realizes he made a mistake, but says he was attempting to diffuse a potentially dangerous situation.” *NOTE: War Academy is a 4YO colt (5 starts 2-1-0, earnings $86,800) trained by BOB BAFFERT, owned by Mrs. John Magnier, John Tabor and Derrick Smith.

04/26/2014 Jockey Barrington Harvey $300 HITTING HIS MOUNT OVER THE HEAD WITH HIS WHIP DURING THE 8TH RACE. Horse, Red Formal. From the stewards’ notes: “Harvey contacted the Stewards by phone and pled guilty to striking the horse about the head and ears. He was informed this was unacceptable and any future violations could result in escalated penalties.” Golden Gate.

04/13/2014 Trainer Ina Hajek $500 ANIMAL WELFARE—NEGLECT, FAILURE TO HAVE A PERSON IN ATTENDANCE. Santa Anita.

12/18/2013 Jockey Jorge Martin Bourdieu $200 MISUSE OF THE WHIP, STRIKING HIS MOUNT IN THE HEAD. Horse, Wildcat Energy, 3rd race on 12/07/2013. Turf Paradise.

12/03/2013 “Groom Barry Dale Thornton … occupational license is hereby revoked effective December 2, 2013 because Mr. Barry Thornton, as groom for trainer James Thornton, contributed to the failure to insure the health, safety and welfare of the horse Iwouldloveto WHICH RESULTED IN HER DEATH IN THE STABLE AREA at Retama Park on 10/11/13.” Iwouldloveto was a 3YO filly with three starts, finished 8th on 10/04/2013, 10th on 03/02/2013 and 7th on 02/25/2013, all MSWs. TRAINER JAMES HUBERT THORNTON ALSO LOST HIS LICENSE BECAUSE OF THE FILLY’S DEATH, LICENSE YANKED FOR “IMPROPER OR INHUMANE TREATMENT OF ANIMAL.” The facts: the filly flipped in the paddock prior to the final race on 10/11/2013, a $5K MDN. She was okay, but the jock refused to ride. The Thorntons took her back to stable area, tried to load her, she wouldn’t load, they tried to beat her onto trailer, she was injured. They dumped her in a stall and left, their story being that they went to get a bigger trailer. The next morning, the filly was found dead in her stall. The Thorntons failed to show for their hearing and got their licenses REVOKED. Well done, Retama (track officials even called Selma police to file animal cruelty charges). This poor filly was only a 3YO, 3 starts 8-10-7, earnings $300… RIP, little bay filly.

10/06/2013 “JOCKEY RAFAEL M. HERNANDEZ IS HEREBY ASSESSED A CIVIL PENALTY OF TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS ($200.00) FOR STRIKING HIS HORSE RIGHT NOW RICHIE IN THE HEAD DURING THE RUNNING OF THE SEVENTH RACE ON OCTOBER 4, 2013 AT HAWTHORNE RACE COURSE.”
10/05/2013 “JOCKEY TONY BENNETT IS HEREBY ASSESSED AN ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTY OF TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS ($200.00) FOR STRIKING HIS HORSE ‘TALON GONE WILD’ IN THE HEAD DURING THE RUNNING (of a race).” Prairie Meadows.

10/06/2013 “The CHRB filed a complaint against Gateman Leo Urbina for a possible violation of CHRB rule 1902.5 (ANIMAL WELFARE)… Investigator Amivea provided black and white photos of the horse and Safety Steward Luis Jauregui testified to the condition of the pony horse on the day it was inspected. Mr. Urbina explained he was going to use the horse to pony horses at Del Mar, but not finding any work he made arrangements to ship the horse off the grounds. Mr. Urbina did have a Pony Rider license in 2009. The horse was stabled in trainer Walther Solis’s inside barn until August 30, 2013, and on that day it was moved to the outside pen while waiting to be shipped to Hollywood Park. The horse was shipped the next morning. Mr. Urbina’s father owns the horse in question. Decision to follow.” URBINA FINED $200 AND PROHIBITED FROM CONTACT WITH HORSES FOR TWO YEARS. Santa Anita

09/25/2013 Jockey ZACHARIE SHANE KELSEY $200 “FOR STRIKING HIS HORSE ‘COSMIC WANDERER’ IN THE HEAD AFTER THE RUNNING OF THE FOURTH (4TH) RACE ON SEPTEMBER 22, 2013.” Prairie Meadows.

09/04/2013 Jockey Jack Lauzon $200 MISUSE OF THE CROP, RAISING HIS HAND ABOVE SHOULDER HEIGHT WHILE STRIKING HIS MOUNT DURING THE STRETCH RUN. Jockey has been previously cautioned “with regard to the urging rules.” Horse, Gobi Gold, 5th race. Fort Erie.

08/16/2013 Apprentice jockey Skye N. Chernetz $200 USING HER CROP IN AN ECXCESSIVE MANNER, STRIKING HER MOUNT MORE THAN THREE TIMES IN SUCCESSION DURING THE STRETCH RUN. Horse, Elizabeth City, 8th race. Woodbine.

02/01/2013 Jockey Donnie Meche $200 STRUCK HIS MOUNT ON THE HEAD. Louisiana Downs.

01/20/2013 “OWNER RAUL SOSA IS FINED THREE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($300.00) FOR VIOLATION OF CALIFORNIA HORSE RACING BOARD RULE #1902.5 (ANIMAL WELFARE).” Los Al.

01/20/2013 “TRAINER KELLY CASTANEDA IS FINED THREE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($300.00) FOR VIOLATION OF CALIFORNIA HORSE RACING BOARD RULE #1902.5 (ANIMAL WELFARE).” Los Al.

07/08/2012 “Apprentice jockey ESWAN FLORES is fined THREE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($300.00)* for violation of California Horse Racing Board rule #1688 (Use of Whips-hitting his mount after the wire) following the running of the first race at Betfair Hollywood Park on July 4, 2012.”

05/04/2012 Trainer RICHARD DOYLE JACKSON summarily suspended… “ YOU POSE AN IMMEDIATE DANGER TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY, OR WELFARE… ON MAY 3, 2012, THEY (DCI AGENTS) SEARCHED TRAINER RICHARD JACKSON’S TACK ROOM AND FOUND A NEEDLE AND AN INJECTABLE BOTTLE OF ADEQUAN … ONE VICODIN AND ONE HYDROCODONE …YOUR POSITION AS TRAINER IS A POSITION OF HIGHEST RESPONSIBILITY AFFECTING JOCKEYS, HORSES, AS WELL AS PATRONS. THE SUSPENSION OF YOUR LICENSE IS NECESSARY TO PROTECT THE JOCKEYS, HORSES AND THE PUBLIC’S HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE, AS WELL AS THE INTEGRITY OF HORSE RACING. YOU WILL BE NOTIFIED IN WRITING BY THE BOARD OF STEWARDS REGARDING THE DATE AND TIME OF YOUR HEARING. YOU ARE BARRED FROM PARTICIPATING IN, OR WORKING AT, ANY PARI-MUTUEL RACETRACK OR GAMING FACILITY LICENSED TO OPERATE IN THE STATE OF IOWA.” Prairie Meadows.

11/09/2011 Jockey CHARLES MCMAHON $100 for EXCESSIVE WHIPPING during 1st race 11/05/2011. Delta Downs.

10/29/2011 Jockey Julien Couton $300 for KICKING A HORSE AFTER A WORK. Golden Gate.

10/22/2011 “Jockey ANTONIO CASTANON is fined three hundred dollars ($300.00…USE OF WHIPS – ON THE FLANKS, CAUSING WELTS… aboard Boomtown during the first race on September 10, 2011 … Welts on the right flank were noticed when the horse came to be post-race tested. Mr. Castanon asked for leniency as he said he had not cut or welted a horse during his riding career, but was told that fines in this instance were virtually automatic.” Fairmount Park.

10/18/2011 Jockey Perry S. Whetstone $210 “for STRIKING HIS MOUNT ON THE HEAD WITH HIS WHIP.” Horse, unspecified TB. Turf Paradise. (Previous violations for failure to have sufficient control of mount on 04/30/2011, careless riding on 03/29/2011, failure to fulfill riding obligations 01/28/2011.)

09/03/2011 “Exercise Rider GUILLERMO I. MURO …$300… misuse of the reins during morning training hours. Muro admitted to galloping on the inside rail after being warned by the outriders not to do so and STRIKING A MOUNT WITH THE KNOT OF HIS REINS. Muro stated the outriders were singling him out and picking on him but HIS ATTITUDE LEFT THE STEWARDS WITH THE CONCLUSION THAT MURO HAS A PROBLEM WITH ANYONE IN AUTHORITY.” Golden Gate.

08/26/2011 JOCKEY EDUARDO NICASIO IS FINED THREE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($300.00)* FOR …WHIPPING IN POST PARADE ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011. The above ruling was issued to jockey Eduardo Nicasio for striking his mount in the post parade with the whip twice on Friday, August 19, 2011, in the third race. Mr. Nicasio stated that the pony was laying on his horse, which was not the way the Stewards saw it on the night in question and that it was not a valid reason anyway.

08/20/2011 Jockey Tyler Baze ordered off his mounts and suspended until he gets counseling after TWO BREATHALYZER TESTS SHOWED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO RIDE IN A RACE WITH A BLOOD ALCOHOL CONTENT ABOVE THE LEGAL LIMIT. Del Mar.

08/20/2011 Jockey Rohan Singh after appearing before the Stewards… fined the sum of $500 for misuse of his whip – EXCESSIVE AND ABUSIVE STRIKING OF HIS MOUNT – in the 8th race August 17, 2011 in the stretch drive. Assiniboia Downs.08/11/2013 Jockey Pablo Morales $500 MISUSE OF THE CROP—STRIKING HIS MOUNT MORE THAN THREE TIMES IN SUCCESSION DURING THE STRETCH RUN OF THE 8TH RACE, THE ONTARIO DEBUTANTE STAKES ON 08/10/2013. Horse, Sweetsoutherndame. Woodbine.

07/07/2011 Jockey CHRISTIAN SANTIAGO REYES is fined FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS … PERSISTENTLY WHIPPING WHILE THE HORSE IS NOT RESPONDING…the third race at Hollywood Park on June 24, 2011.

07/01/2011 Jockey Tommy Molina $500 “STOMPING THE HINDQUARTERS OF HIS MOUNT IN THE STARTING STALL after the horse Dancing in the Rain tried to flip in the gate and unseated his rider on Saturday June 25, 2011.” Arlington Park.

07/01/2011 “Jockey CHRISTIAN SANTIAGO REYES is fined FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS …USE OF WHIPS-PERSISTENTLY WHIPPING WHILE THE HORSE IS NOT RESPONDING… the third race at Hollywood Park on June 24, 2011… Films revealed that his horse had dropped back to last and when he struck the horse eight times in rapid succession around the five sixteenths pole. He used his whip again in the stretch despite being many lengths last. Mr. Reyes explained that he wanted to make sure his trainer knew that he was trying. We told him that that was not even close to a valid excuse.”

06/19/2011 Jockey RODRIGO ACEVES $500 WHIPPING IN THE POST PARADE. Horse, unspecified QH. Los Alamitos.

05/21/2011 Jockey E.T. Baird $100 REPEATEDLY STRIKING HIS MOUNT WITHOUT GIVING IT A CHANCE TO RESPOND during the 4th race. Arlington Park.

05/21/2011 Jockey Florent Geroux $100 REPEATEDLY STRIKING HIS MOUNT WITHOUT GIVING HER A CHANCE TO RESPOND during the 6th race. Arlington Park.

05/20/2011 Jockey Seth Martinez $1000 REPEATEDLY STRIKING HIS MOUNT WITHOUT GIVING IT A CHANCE TO RESPOND—FIFTH VIOLATION. 7th race, 05/18/2011. Arlington Park.

05/14/2011 Jockey Seth Martinez $500 REPEATEDLY STRIKING HIS HORSE WITHOUT GIVING IT A CHANCE TO RESPOND—HIS FOURTH VIOLATION during the running of the 10th race 05/07/2011. Arlington Park.

04/09/2011 Jockey Seth Martinez $800 REPEATEDLY STRIKING HIS MOUNT WITHOUT GIVING IT TIME TO RESPOND 3rd race 04/06/2011. Hawthorne.

04/08/2011 “Jockey HECTOR ROMERO, who rode LAMA CHANT in the second race on February 5, 2011, is fined the sum of three hundred dollars ($300.00) … (USE OF WHIPS – CAUSING WELTS OR BREAKS IN THE SKIN.) GOLDEN GATE.”

01/03/2011 Trainer JAMES THOMAS EVERAERT $1000—license revoked 04/19/2010 for stabbing his former business partner’s horse in the neck with intent to kill the animal. Actual charge was “animal abuse.” He also threatened the lives of five people, three of whom were licensed by the ORC. Portland Meadows.

12/01/2010 Trainer Joseph K. Hall (Standardbred) $1000 “For conduct against the best interest of racing and cruelty to animals by ADMINISTERING A JUG INTRAVENOUSLY TO A HORSE THAT WAS NOT UNDER HIS CARE THAT RESULTED IN THE DEATH OF THE HORSE MILLER PLEASE.” (Sounds like a horrible death for the poor horse. Why were Hall and Banks not arrested by local law enforcement authorities for animal abuse?) Lebanon Raceway.

08/20/2010 Jockey Alex Bautista $300 for WHIPPING IN THE POST PARADE. Horse, unspecified TB. Los Al.
09/11/2009 “Exercise rider ONECIMO GARCIA. One hundred dollars ($100). A hearing was held on September 4, 2009, for Exercise Rider Onecino Garcia in the Stewards Office. It was determined that Mr. Garcia HIT A HORSE IN THE HEAD WITH HIS FIST WHILE ON TRACK during the morning.” Hoosier Park.

08/06/2009 “Apprentice Jockey Christian Santiago Reyes is fined FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($500)* …USE OF WHIPS – CAUSING WELTS OR BREAKS IN THE SKIN…at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club on July 23, 2009 (second offense).”

07/25/2009 Trainer Stan Hartman “ALLEGED ABUSE TO AN INJURED ANIMAL-DISMISSED W/ STERN WARNING.” (Priors include $315 for bad test 01/17/2009 and 30 day probation for lying on his license application.) Yavapai Downs.

06/06/2009 “Jockey Corey Nakatani appeared to review last Saturday’s seventh race. The rider’s horse was well last at the eighth pole, and Nakatani whipped the horse to the wire. The jockey explained THE TRAINER INSTRUCTED HIM TO RIDE THE HORSE HARD THE LAST EIGHTH OF A MILE. Mr. Nakatani was advised that WHIPPING A HOPELESSLY BEATEN HORSE was unacceptable.”

05/17/2009 “Jockey BARRINGTON HARVEY is fined the sum of fifteen hundred dollars ($1,500.00) for violation of California Horse Racing Board rule #1688 (b) (1) (Use of Whips) during the running of the second race on April 26, 2009 (THIRD OFFENSE).” Golden Gate.

04/30/2009 Appeals hearing before the Ontario Racing Commission: Jockey Michael J. McMullen was suspended 5 days for WHIPPING A HORSE ON THE HEAD (Murphy’s Devil in the 6th on 08/19/2008 at Fort Erie). McMullen lost his appeal.

10/19/2008 The stewards held a formal hearing this morning into case number 08DM0015 filed by the CHRB involving groom/hotwalker FRED PETERSON. The complaint alleged SEVERAL RULE VIOLATIONS SURROUNDING AN ALLEGED INCIDENT OF ANIMAL ABUSE AGAINST MR. PETERSON’S DOG. Unfortunately, the security officer for Del Mar could not be located, thus he did not attend the hearing. Therefore with no evidence, the stewards had no choice but to dismiss the complaint. It pained us to take no action, as this type of behavior, if proven, would certainly have resulted in the revocation of Mr. Peterson’s license. However, a positive aspect of the case was the fact that THE DOG IS NOW SAFE AND NO LONGER UNDER THE CARE OF MR. PETERSON.”

07/08/2007 “Exercise rider ERIK KRUG met with the Stewards in an informal hearing to discuss case number 07SA143, which involved ALLEGED DISORDERLY CONDUCT AND A SUBSEQUENT COCAINE POSITIVE. Mr. Krug was suspended at Oak Tree for failure to appear to address this complaint. Although claiming that he has never done cocaine, Mr. Krug brought Bob Fletcher from the Winners Foundation, and was frankly willing to accept any penalty the Stewards believed appropriate. Although Mr. Krug offered several explanations, he refreshingly offered no excuses.” Riding under the influence; can you imagine what the horses endured?

07/08/2007 “Apprentice Jockey PEDRO FLORES is fined the sum of one thousand dollars ($1,000.00)* for MISUSE OF THE WHIP (WHIPPING THE HORSE ON THE FLANK) on June 22, June 24 and June 27, 2007…” Pleasanton.

06/26/2007 Jockey Victor Molina $1000, 30 days“Molina, a 27-year veteran, was scheduled to ride Hidden Meadows Farm’s 2-year-old Yes Yes Ohyes in the third race June 18. The colt reared and pinned Molina briefly in the starting gate, then banged Molina’s head and chest. After the horse was backed out and ordered scratched by the track veterinarian, MOLINA WAS SHOWN KICKING THE COLT AS HE WENT TO REMOVE HIS TACK… Molina was immediately ejected from the track.” Philadelphia Park.

08/10/2006 “Apprentice jockey MARTIN G. GARCIA is hereby fined one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) for violation of California Horse Racing Board Rule #1688 (B) (1,3) (USE OF WHIPS – HIT HORSE ON FLANK – CAUSING BREAK IN SKIN) (THREE OFFENSES).”

05/10/2006 Assistant trainer PATRICK EMMETT CARROLL suspended by Oregon Racing Commission for animal abuse.

04/15/2006 Trainer Tony Sedillo $100 “FOR STRIKING HIS ENTRY RUNAWAY LAVEAUX IN THE PADDOCK before the running of the 4th race.” Delta Downs.

07/12/2005 DR. SEAN SALTSBURG, pled guilty to animal cruelty (HE ADMITTED TO BLINDING A HORSE). From the Leihigh Valley Morning Call newspaper: “A former Bucks County veterinarian accused of abusing three horses under his care admitted Monday he blinded one of them, [charges that he beat them, although true, were dropped as part of a plea bargain]. Sean Saltsburg, 36, pleaded guilty to one count of animal cruelty and two counts of disorderly conduct in Bucks County Court. Judge Albert Cepparulo sentenced him to nine months of probation, the maximum under the law… Saltsburg, who recently sold his house in Buckingham Township and now works as a horse veterinarian in Maryland, was accused of abusing horses he was tending at farms in Buckingham, Doylestown and Hilltown townships in 2002 and 2003… ‘Williams [vet’s lawyer] said, ‘He didn’t want to admit to beating any horses, because he didn’t beat any horses. He doesn’t deny the horse was blinded in his care.’ In that incident, SALTSBURG TOLD THE COURT HE ‘GOT INTO AN ALTERCATION’ WITH A MARE, Ballerta Nena, at a Doylestown Township farm in May 2003. Saltsburg said the two both hit the wall and the horse subsequently went blind. In an arrest affidavit, SALTSBURG WAS ACCUSED OF HITTING THE HORSE IN THE HEAD, PUNCHING ANOTHER HORSE IN THE HEAD AND KICKING A THIRD ONE FOR TWO MINUTES WHILE IT LAY ON THE GROUND. Judge Cepparulo said Saltsburg’s explanation of why the horse went blind didn’t make sense, adding that he hoped a state board would ‘seriously consider’ the guilty plea when deciding whether to revoke his license. The Board of Veterinary Medicine under the Pennsylvania Department of State is investigating whether Saltsburg should be allowed to practice in the state, Woodward said. Saltsburg, who stood emotionless before Cepparulo throughout the hearing, must complete a county-approved anger management course as part of his probation and pay $900 in fines.”

06/12/1921 Jockey J. Rodriguez suspended 25 days for “rough riding.” Latonia.
06/02/1921 Jockey H. Williams suspended for balance of meeting for unnecessary abuse of his mount. Belmont.
01/29/1921 Jockey J. McIntyre license revoked for foul riding. Havana.
08/03/1916 Jockey E. Heider suspended for “rough riding.” Saratoga.
08/02/1916 Jockey A. Pickens suspended for “foul riding.” Hamilton.
07/08/1916 Jockey G. Byrne suspended “for disobedience at the post.” Fort Erie.
06/20/1916 Jockey J. Daniels suspended “for rough riding and IMPERTINENCE.” Maisonneuve.
05/26/1916 Owner M. Doyle and stable “ordered away for MAKING CRITICAL INSINUATIONS.” Tijuana.
03/03/1916 Owner R.G. Brown and stable ruled off “FOR ALLOWING THE USE OF AN ELECTRIC BUTTON ON ONE OF HIS HORSES.” Juarez.
02/14/1916 Jockey D. Steward license revoked and barred from track for fighting with gateman. New Orleans.

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Horseracing’s Casualties, 10/20/14-10/26/14

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