Randy M. Smith, leading Quarter Horse trainer at Horseshoe Indianapolis every year since 2014, and two of his current riders – Juan Marquez and German Rodriguez – have been summarily suspended by the Indiana Horse Racing Commission.
The suspensions were confirmed by senior state steward Eric Smith, who said they are “pending completion of an investigation and a disciplinary hearing.” Smith could not comment on the reason for the suspensions.
Smith had multiple entries on Wednesday's program at Horseshoe Indianapolis, including three horses in the Bradford Stakes. All of his entries were listed as being scratched by the stewards.
Smith had a dozen runners in four Quarter Horse trial races at the Shelbyville, Ind., track on July 3, with Marquez and Rodriguez riding for Smith in each race. A third rider Smith utilized in the trials, Diego Villamil Bocanegra, has not been suspended.
Marquez, Smith's first call rider, led the 2022 jockey standings at Horseshoe Indianapolis, his 51 wins doubling his closest pursuer. He set track records in 2022 for most wins in one night (six), most stakes wins in a season (seven) and most wins (51) and money won ($1.1 million).
Rodriguez was third by races won and second by money won at Horseshoe Indianapolis in 2022, riding second call for Smith.
Smith's regular rider in 2020 and 2021, Samuel Mendez, led the standings each of those years but received a 20-year suspension in 2021 for alleged possession and use of an illegal electrical device.
Smith, the all-time leading Quarter Horse trainer in Indiana history in wins and purse earnings, shattered his own record for wins and money won in 2022, winning 76 races and more than $2.3 million. In 2022, he ranked fifth nationally in American Quarter Horse Association standings for money won and was fourth by wins.
The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority, which regulates Thoroughbred racing nationally with safety and anti-doping/medication control programs, is not involved in the regulation of Quarter Horse racing, which is overseen by state racing commissions.
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