I am privileged to represent Michael Jones Jr.. I have always respected Ray Paulick but I feel compelled to comment on the irresponsible article written about Mr. Jones in your publication (Preciado Surfaces At Fair Hill As Fellow Horsemen Raise Questions About Paper Training, by Natalie Voss).
Mr. Jones has worked his whole life to get the opportunity to train horses for Joseph Klausa's JKX Racing. He has a string stabled at Charles Town and now trains a string for JKX Racing at Fair Hill. He also owns horses and his stable earned over a million dollars last year. The implication that he is a program trainer is totally false. It is hard enough for a black trainer to get a break in racing without having to read unsubstantiated charges in your pages. The action of The Stronach Group (owner of Laurel Park) in not taking Jones entries from Fair Hill is evil.
We went to the Maryland Racing Commission to request a hearing so that Mr. Jones might clear his name before he loses his horses. But the commission's position is that entries are a matter between the track and the trainer. We requested that the Stronach Group allow us to have a hearing in front of an impartial third party but they did not agree. We asked if they would take Mr. Jones' entries if he fired Ramon Preciado but they would not agree.
What can Mr. Jones do to clear his name?
Mr. Klausa has been in racing for many years and has always been successful. He has invested millions of dollars in the game at a time when owners are fleeing from fears of HISA. Beside the trainers you mentioned he also uses Mike McCarthy, Joe Sharp, Chad Summers and Natalia Lynch. He is successful with all of them. He believes people are entitled to second chances so he gave a chance to Ramon Preciado. Racing is replete with people on second or third chances such as Jerry Bailey, Pat Day, Kent Desormeaux, Richard Dutrow, and Ray Paulick. Did you ever see Seabiscuit? It is a story of redemption.
You don't name any of Mr. Jones so-called accusers. You simply say multiple sources. That is a cowardly approach to a serious matter of journalism. You wouldn't appreciate it if I said multiple sources say you don't know what you're talking about. So I'll come out and say it myself. I hope you have the integrity to print this as an example of equal time. Thank you.
Alan Pincus
(Editor's Note: Alan Pincus is a Pennsylvania-based attorney who represents Michael Jones Jr., and has also represented Ramon Preciado.)
The post Letter To The Editor: Attorney For Michael Jones Jr. Responds To Article On Ramon Preciado appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
