The New York State Gaming Commission has issued a 30-day suspension and $2,500 fine to New York Racing Association clocker Richard Gazer, according to a ruling posted on the NYSGC website, for “altering a published work of a horse to make the horse eligible to race.”
Gazer, a 40-year veteran, has appealed the ruling, and a stay has been granted, so he is eligible to continue working while the case is adjudicated.
The Daily Racing Form reports that the workout in question was that of Papi On Ice, trained by Randi Persaud. The 3-year-old son of Keen Ice breezed on May 1, and was credited with a five-furlong move in 1:04.60 on the Belmont training track.
However, Papi on Ice needed a half-mile work in order to be removed from NYRA's poor performance list. Papi on Ice was eased in his first start on March 19 after hitting the gate, then beaten 26 3/4 lengths when last of five in his second career start on April 16.
NYRA regulations require a horse beaten more than 25 lengths to work a half-mile in under 53 seconds in order to be removed from the poor performance list and regain eligibility to race.
Since Papi on Ice was credited with a five-furlong workout, the racing office refused to accept his entry for a race.
Gazer did not time the work himself, but told DRF his colleague who had timed the horse indicated that Papi on Ice went a half-mile in 51.33 seconds. Therefore, Gazer said he did not alter the time of the workout, he only changed the distance in order to comply with the entry rules.
“I believe I was well within the guidelines of what the protocols are,” Gazer told DRF.
Read more at the Daily Racing Form.
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