Delaware Park And Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association Sign Three-Year Contract

On Mar. 19, Delaware Park and the Delaware Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (DTHA) signed a three-year contract, which includes an agreement for year-round stabling and training, the track said in a release Friday morning.

The year-round stall application, and related fee schedule, will be released later this summer. Opening day for the upcoming 87th live racing season is May 15 with racing on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. The 75-day meet is scheduled to conclude Oct. 12.

“I am pleased to announce this multi-year contract,” said Delaware Park Chief Financial Officer Kevin DeLucia.  “We have worked hard to provide safe and exciting racing in the highly competitive Mid-Atlantic region and this contract ensures we will continue to attract quality horses and stables to Delaware.”

“Delaware Park's commitment to provide year-round stabling and training again has been very well received by our horsemen,” said DTHA President Tim Ritchey.

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Delaware Approves 2024 Dates, Releases Stakes Schedule

The Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission (DTRC) approved the 2024 Delaware Park live racing dates, punctuated by a $2.75 million stakes schedule. The 87th live racing season–featuring 75 days beginning on Wednesday, May 15 and concluding Saturday, Oct. 12–will be highlighted by the $500,000 GII Delaware H. July 7.

For the first time since 2009, the Delaware H. will be run on a Sunday, highlighting a festival weekend of racing that includes the $250,000 GIII Robert G. Dick S. on the July 7 undercard. The $300,000 GII Delaware Oaks will kick off the weekend July 6.

“We want to carry the positive momentum established last year into this upcoming season,” said Chief Financial Officer Kevin DeLucia. “The horsemen, commission and management have continued working together to ensure competitive, fair and safe racing. We have also been aggressively expanding our wagering menu and finding the right niches to make our signal attractive on the national landscape. It will be challenging to keep moving the needle in a positive direction in the highly competitive Mid-Atlantic market, but our team is eager for the opportunity.”

Total live racing handle increased 7.0%, to $152.3 million for the 85-day meet in 2023 from $142.3 million for the 87-day meet in 2022. The daily average handle increased 9.6%, to $1.8 million in 2023 from $1.6 million in 2022.

Live racing will be conducted on a Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday weekly format for the majority of the 2024 meet. Nine Friday cards will be added to the schedule: June 7, June 14, Aug. 2, Aug. 9, Sept. 13, Sept. 20, Sept. 27, Oct. 4 and Oct. 11.

Live racing is not scheduled on Thursday, July 11. Daily first race post time is set for 12:30 p.m.

For the complete 2024 stakes schedule, click here.

 

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Clerk Of Scales At Presque Isle Downs Suspended For Failure To Weigh-Out Jockeys

A longtime racetrack employee and the current Clerk of Scales at Churchill Downs Inc.-owned Presque Isle Downs in Erie, Pennsylvania was suspended by the Pennsylvania State Horse Racing Commission's Bureau of Thoroughbred Horse Racing for 30 days beginning Jan. 8. Danny Hamilton was found by the stewards to have neglected to weigh-out jockeys before the eighth race Oct. 11.

Director of Enforcement Jason Klouser, who led the investigation, said, “The Racing Commission's investigators observed Danny Hamilton failing to weigh-out the jockeys for race 8, which is a violation of numerous sections of Pennsylvania's rules of racing.”

Klouser added, “At this point, the investigation into Hamilton's activities is ongoing to determine if there were any other violations.”

According to the stewards ruling which is posted on the commission's website, part of the duties of the Clerk of Scales and/or their assistant is to preside over the racing process from when the jockeys assemble before the race to weigh-out, all the way through its conclusion when they come off the course to weigh-in.

Hamilton appeared this past summer on an episode of Horse Racing Today co-hosted by Jamie Martinez in which he discussed his experiences and delved into his duties as a clerk.

On that program, Hamilton said, “We run a very tight ship here at Presque Isle.” When asked what happens if a rider's weight is off when he or she comes off the course, the clerk said with a laugh, “Well then we have real problems! Then the Racing Commission gets involved and stuff gets really real.”

He went on to say, “But we don't have that problem, all the riders come back heavier than what they went out. So, if you go out at 124 [pounds], chances are you're going to come in at 126 [pounds], 127 [pounds], because the saddle towel, the pad, the horse's are sweaty, it soaks up into the pad and saddle towel … it weighs a lot. If they come back lighter than they went out, major problem, if they come back heavier, then you're good to go.”

Growing up around racetracks, including Beulah Park and Delaware Park, Hamilton as recently as 2019 served as an inspector for the Ohio State Racing Commission. Since then, he's had several other stops at locations such as Oaklawn Park, where he was an integrity officer.

Hamilton was hired as the Clerk of Scales by Presque Isle Downs earlier this year after he was the horse identifier at the course during the 2022 season. An attempt was made to contact the track's Director of Racing, Matthew Ennis, but several messages were not returned.

Currently, Hamilton is serving as a placing judge at Fair Grounds, which is also owned by Churchill Downs Inc.

Klouser confirmed that, “We have notified the Louisiana Racing Commission of the pending suspension.”

As for the ruling, Hamilton is denied access to all grounds under the jurisdiction of the Pennsylvania State Horse Racing Commission and does have the right to appeal. He was unable to be reached for comment.

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Weekly Stewards And Commissions Rulings, Oct. 31-Nov. 6

Every week, the TDN publishes a roundup of key official rulings from the primary tracks within the four major racing jurisdictions of California, New York, Florida and Kentucky.

Here's a primer on how each of these jurisdictions adjudicates different offenses, what they make public (or not) and where.

The TDN also posts a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) related rulings from the same week. These include decisions from around the country.

NEW HISA/HIWU STEWARDS RULINGS
The following rulings were reported on HISA's “rulings” portal and through the Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit's “pending” and “resolved” cases portals.

Resolved ADMC Violations
Date: 10/12/2023
Licensee: Chad Summers, trainer
Penalty: Treated as 1 violation with Rayya Valentine under 9/8/23 HISA Guidance.
Explainer: A possible violation of Rule 3314—Use or Attempted Use of a Controlled Medication Substance or a Controlled Medication Method—on the horse, Thank you Jon. This is also a possible violation of Rule 4222—Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout.

Date: 10/11/2023
Licensee: Chad Summers, trainer
Penalty: A fine of $3,000; imposition of 3 Penalty Points. Admission.
Explainer: A possible violation of Rule 3314—Use or Attempted Use of a Controlled Medication Substance or a Controlled Medication Method—on the horse, Rayya Valentine. This is also a possible violation of Rule 4222—Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout.

Date: 09/28/2023
Licensee: Ruben Gomez, trainer
Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility, beginning on November 2, 2023; a fine of $1,000; imposition of 2 Penalty Points.Admission.
Explainer: For the presence of Acepromazine—Controlled Medications (Class B)—in a sample taken from Blue Cloud. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 08/29/2023
Licensee: Kevin Fletcher, trainer
Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility, beginning on November 4, 2023; a fine of $1,000; imposition of 2 Penalty Points.Admission.
Explainer: For the presence of Caffeine—Controlled Medications (Class B)—in a sample taken from Ruby Layne. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 08/28/2023
Licensee: Shane Meyers, trainer
Penalty: None. EAD Notice Withdrawn
Explainer: For the presence of Altrenogest—a banned substance—in a sample taken from Mugsy Malone. This is a possible violation of Rule 3212—Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers.

Date: 08/22/2023
Licensee: Thomas Kagele, trainer
Penalty: Public disclosure.
Explainer: Rule 3510 Disciplinary Proceedings/Refusal or Failure to Cooperate with HISA/HIWU.

Date: 08/11/2023
Licensee: Cathal Lynch, trainer
Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission.
Explainer: For the presence of Flunixin—Controlled Medications (Class C)—in a sample taken from Saloon, who finished second at Laurel Park on 8/11/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 07/03/2023
Licensee: William Martin, trainer
Penalty: 30-day period of Ineligibility, beginning on November 7, 2023; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $2,500; imposition of 3 Penalty Points. Final decision of IAP.
Explainer: For the potential breach of Rule 4221—Alkalinization or Use of an Alkalinizing Agent (TCO2)—on Wild Irish, who won at Presque Isle Downs on 7/3/2023. This is also a possible violation of Rule 3313—Use of a Controlled Method During the Race Period.

Pending ADMC Violations
Date: 10/08/2023
Licensee: Francisco Soria, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Dantrolene—Controlled Medications (Class C)—in a sample taken from Profit Hunter. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 10/07/2023
Licensee: Nancy Summers, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Furosemide—Controlled Medications (Class C)—in a sample taken from Sweet Money, who finished second at Albuquerque Downs on 10/7/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 10/06/2023
Licensee: Jeffrey Dale Hudson, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Flunixin—Controlled Medications (Class C)—in a sample taken from Yumiko's Candy. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 10/02/2023
Licensee: Reid France, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone—Controlled Medications (Class C)—in a sample taken from One Little Indian, who finished fourth at Golden Gate Fields on 10/2/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 09/22/2023
Licensee: Tanner Tracy, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Cannabidiol—Controlled Medications (Class B)—in a sample taken from Carry On, who finished second at Prairie Meadows on 9/22/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 09/20/2023
Licensee: Adolfo Macias, trainer
Penalty: Provisionally suspended
Alleged violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the possible possession of Levothyroxine (Thyro-L). This is a possible violation of Rule 3214(a)—Possession of Banned Substances

The following cases have been returned to the “pending violation” list having previously been resolved.
Date: 06/20/2023
Licensee: Joseph Taylor, trainer
Penalty: Provisionally suspended
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Methylphenidate and Clenbuterol—both banned substances—in a sample taken from Classy American, who finished second at Parx Racing on 6/20/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3212—Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers.

Date: 06/18/2023
Licensee: Joseph Taylor, trainer
Penalty: Provisionally suspended
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Methylphenidate and Clenbuterol—both banned substances—in a sample taken from Cajun Cousin, who finished second at Parx Racing on 6/18/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3212—Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers.

Violations of Crop Rule
One important note: HISA's whip use limit is restricted to six strikes during a race.

Delaware Park
Andres Chavez – violation date Nov 1; $250 fine

Horseshoe Indianapolis
Samuel Bermudez – violation date Nov 1; $250 fine, one-day suspension
Rogelio Miranda – violation date Nov 1; $100 fine

Mahoning Valley Race Course
Hector Berrios – violation date Oct 31; $750 fine, $7,800 purse forfeited, ten-day suspension, on appeal and stay denied

Santa Anita
Ryan Moore – violation date Nov 4; $20,800 fine, one-day suspension, on appeal and stay granted
More on the story here.

OTHER KEY RULINGS
Every week, the TDN publishes a roundup of key official rulings from the primary tracks within the four major racing jurisdictions of California, New York, Florida and Kentucky.
California
Track: Santa Anita
Date: 11/05/2023
Licensee: Irad Ortiz, jockey
Penalty: Three-day suspension
Violation: Careless riding
Explainer: Jockey Irad Ortiz, who rode Goodnight Olive in the fifth race at Santa Anita Park on November 4, 2023, is suspended for 3 racing days (November 12, 17 and 18, 2023) for failure to maintain a straight course in the stretch and causing interference; violation of California Horse Racing Board rule #1699 (Riding Rules – careless riding).
More on the story here.

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