Fifteen jockeys have received suspensions from the West Virginia Racing Commission after stewards determined they “presented false and altered” documentation of required medical examinations.
Eric Barbaran, Ricardo Mejias, Luan Silva Machado, Fernando Salazar Becerra, Juan Leon Velez, Brandon Tapara, Eder Luis Martinez, Luis Hernandez, Sonny Leon, Logan Holbrook, Angel Serpa, Jose Leon, Odhair Mayta, and Jose Davila were all suspended 15 days for the offense. Their suspension dates differ slightly, beginning between Sept. 7 and Sept. 10 and finishing between Sept. 21 and Sept. 24.
Rider Eddie Jurado was suspended 210 days and fined $2,500 because stewards said he “also admitted to producing and/or delivering fictitious documents (copies of physical examinations to 14 other jockeys to perform their work duties at Mountaineer Park. Jurado's suspension runs through April 4, 2022.
All riders are denied access to commission-sanctioned grounds for the duration of their suspension.
According to commission executive director Joe Moore, the commission has not been notified that any of the riders are appealing the rulings.
Herbie Rivera, the Jockeys' Guild representative for Mountaineer riders, said the track, like many others, requires proof of a standard physical at the start of the meet. Most riders can have them done through the appropriate channels for $50 to $70. The rules of racing in West Virginia mandate that riders submit proof they have passed a physical exam within 12 months in order to participate as jockeys, and a baseline concussion test. There are no specific COVID-19 requirements related to the physical, according to the state's rulebook.
Rivera said about half the tracks in the country require a physical at the start of the meet, and that he believes there's no good reason not to comply with the rule. He was surprised the stewards handed down such long suspensions.
“They would tell them their name and then they'd show up with [the document],” he said. “I made sure I went to every rider who was going to have a hearing and sat down with them. I told them, 'It is what it is. You made a mistake.'
“I didn't think they'd be this harsh, but I have a lot of respect for the stewards. The only thing I can do is make suggestions.”
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