The New Mexico Racing Commission has issued a summary suspension of trainer Ebert Munoz, ranked among the top 100 Quarter Horse trainers in the United States by earnings in 2022.
At Ruidoso Downs on June 18, 2023, Munoz was found to be in possession of hypodermic needles, syringes, and “an unlabeled box of Russian tablets,” according to the ruling posted on the Association of Racing Commissioners International website.
Munoz is scheduled to be present at a summary suspension hearing on June 24, 2023, at the offices of the board of stewards at Ruidoso Downs.
The trainer has held a license since 2012, but saw his career statistics jump dramatically in 2022 with 10 winners, 12 seconds, and four third-place finishers from 58 starters for career-best earnings of $340,952.
The majority of those earnings were courtesy of No Mires A La Luna, winner of the Grade 1 Namehimastreaker New Mexico Classic Championship Stakes on Oct. 30, 2022. No Mires A La Luna was a multiple Grade 1-placed runner as a 2-year-old, including finishing third in the G1 All American when conditioned by Kenneth “Trey” Ellis. Ellis is currently under suspension through March of 2024 over four positives at Louisiana Downs for zilpaterol, a drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in cattle heading to slaughter in order to increase body fat and muscle.
The post Quarter Horse Trainer Ebert Munoz Found With Needles, Syringes, ‘Russian Tablets’; Summarily Suspended In New Mexico appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
