Trainer Orlando Noda has been fined $5,000 and suspended for 90 days by the New York State Gaming Commission in relation to an incident which occurred in August of 2021, according to NYSGC director of communications Brad Maione.
On Aug. 15, 2021, state steward Braulio Baeza, Jr. issued a notice of violation to Thoroughbred trainer and exercise rider Orlando Noda for actions detrimental to the best interests of racing for striking a horse excessively while working the horse out at Saratoga Race Course on Aug. 5, 2021. Baeza imposed a $5,000 fine, but Noda requested a hearing, staying collection of the fine.
A hearing was conducted on Feb. 16, 2022, and March 28, 2022. The hearing officer submitted a report to the Commission's Secretary dated November 1, 2022, recommending that the Commission dismiss the charges.
The commission voted unanimously to reject the hearing officer's report and recommendations, instead issuing Noda a $5,000 fine and 90-day license suspension. Noda was also ordered to complete an anger management course as a condition for reinstatement.
Noda's penalties will go into effect upon formal issuance of the Commission's findings and order (expected within a few days).
The NYSGC also issued a $2,500 fine and 30-day suspension to clocker Richard Gazer.
On May 19, 2022, Baeza issued a notice of violation to Thoroughbred racing clocker Richard Gazer for altering a horse's workout time while training at Belmont Park to make the horse eligible to race. Baeza imposed a 30-day license suspension and a $2,500 fine, but Gazer requested a hearing, which stayed enforcement against his license.
According to the Daily Racing Form, the horse in question was the Randi Persaud-trained Papi On Ice. After being beaten 26 3/4 lengths in a maiden special weight on April 16, the horse needed a workout of a half-mile to get off the New York Racing Association's poor-performance list and become eligible to be entered.
On May 1, Papi On Ice was initially credited with a five-furlong work in 1:04.60 over the Belmont training track. The work was later changed to read a half-mile in :51.33.
Gazer told DRF that he is based on the main track, not the training track, but that the time of the work was not changed–the distance was. The clocker responsible for timing Papi On Ice reportedly told Gazer the horse did work a half-mile in 51.33 seconds as part of the five-furlong move in 1:04.60.
A 40-year veteran clocker at NYRA, Gazer told DRF he appealed because: “I believe I was well within the guidelines of what the protocols are.”
A hearing was conducted on Aug. 15, 2022. The Hearing Officer submitted a report to the commission's secretary dated Oct. 21, 2022, recommending that the Commission dismiss the charges.
The commission duly deliberated and considered this matter and determined, upon a unanimous vote, to reject the Hearing Officer's Report and Recommendations and issued a $2,500 fine and a 30-day license suspension to Gazer.
Gazer's penalties will go into effect upon formal issuance of the Commission's findings and order (expected within a few days).
Papi On Ice has raced eight more times in 2022, finishing second twice and third once.
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