Indiana Horse Racing Commission | Horse Racing Free Tips

Indiana Grand’s Leading Quarter Horse Jockey Summarily Suspended

Samuel “Sammy” Mendez, currently the leading Quarter Horse jockey at the Indiana Grand meet in Shelbyville, Ind., has been summarily suspended and is awaiting a hearing before the track's board of stewards.

A ruling dated Sept. 15 said Mendez is “hereby summarily suspended for actions not in the best interest of racing and which compromise the integrity of operations at a racetrack.” The ruling said the infraction occurred on Sept. 4, when Mendez won with three of nine starts – all for trainer Randy M. Smith – including the $84,200 Bob Woodward Memorial Classic Stakes and the $108,591 QHRAI Stallion Service Auction Derby.

Multiple sources told the Paulick Report that Mendez is being investigated in connection with discovery of an illegal electrical device.

A hearing was originally scheduled for Sept. 20 but has been postponed while an investigation continues, according to Deena Pitman, executive director of the Indiana Horse Racing Commission.

Mendez, who was last seen in the saddle on Sept. 13, primarily rides for Smith, Indiana Grand's all-time leading Quarter Horse conditioner and leading the trainer standings there from 2015-'20.

Mendez won the 2020 Quarter Horse riding title.

Mendez has won with 38 of 138 mounts during the current meet. Smith has 62 wins from 287 starts, more than double his closest pursuer.

The most recent Quarter Horse jockey penalized for possession of an illegal electrical device at Indiana Grand was Juan Guerrero, who was suspended 10 years and fined $5,000 in 2015.

On Aug. 11, 2015, officials were tipped off that Guerrero would have an electrical device with metal prongs sticking out of holes cut in the palm of a glove while riding in the 10th race. After being stopped by security following the race, Guerrero ran off toward the jockeys room and was seen throwing an item toward the track's casino. The next day an electrical device was found in that area. One of Guerrero's gloves had two holes punched in it.

The horse Guerrero rode to victory in the race in question was Stone Toasted, trained by Randy M. Smith.

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Indiana Grand Adds Four Race Dates To 2021 Season

Indiana Grand Racing & Casino has requested four additional racing days for the 2021 racing season. The dates were approved Thursday, Sept. 16 by the Indiana Horse Racing Commission (IHRC). The track will now offer racing on Columbus Day Monday, Oct. 11 and extend the final day of racing to Thursday, Nov. 11. The previous closing day was set for Monday, Nov. 8.

Several factors played into the request for additional racing days. Business levels have exceeded expectations this season to cover purses over four additional racing days plus the horse population is growing for the final two months of racing with horsemen seeking additional racing opportunities in Indiana. Also, one day was canceled in August due to extreme heat, which will be considered a make-up day on Columbus Day, Monday, Oct. 11.

“We're very pleased to be in a position where we are able to request additional racing dates at the end of our current 120-day meet,” said Eric Halstrom, Vice President and General Manager of Racing. “The Indiana horsemen, our loyal partners, are very deserving of these additional opportunities and, upon approval from the IHRC, we'll end our meet with a bang on Veteran's Day, November 11.”

The 2021 racing season will now offer 123 days of live action. First post on Monday, Oct. 11 through Thursday, Nov. 11 will be 2:25 p.m.

The 19th season of Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing is now in progress and continues through Thursday, Nov. 11. Live racing is conducted at 2:25 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, with first post on Thursday through Nov. 4 set at 3:25 p.m. A special Indiana Champions Day highlighting the state's top Thoroughbred and Quarter Horses will be held Saturday, Oct. 30, beginning at noon. More information about the 2021 racing season is available at www.caesars.com/indiana-grand.

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Belterra Park Stewards DQ Horse From Win, Alleging ‘Invalid/Fraudulent’ Eligibility Documentation

First-time starter Easily Influenced has been disqualified from an Aug. 17 victory at Belterra Park in Cincinnati, Ohio, after the board of stewards ruled that the horse's owner had “submitted invalid/fraudulent documentation determining eligibility for entry.”

Easily Influenced recorded a series of breezes for his owner, Marc Ricker, at the Ashwood Training Center in Paris, Ky., a facility Ricker operates and is recognized by Equibase as an official training center for recording workouts. Testimony at an Aug. 27 stewards hearing from Bud Bundy, who had served as the starter at Ashwood, indicated that he did not issue the approved pre-race starting gate card dated Aug. 4 used by trainer Sherman Mitchell for Easily Influenced's eligibility to enter the Aug. 17 race.

“In mitigation,” the stewards ruling states, “trainer Sherman Mitchell obtained the gate card from the owner of record for Easily Influenced. Further, this owner Marc Ricker, dba/Ashwood Training Center submitted invalid/fraudulent documentation determining eligibility for entry.”

Stewards ordered the $9,300 purse for the $7,500 maiden claiming race to be redistributed. Easily Influenced was disqualified and declared unplaced.

That same day, Aug. 17, stewards at Indiana Grand in Shelbyville, Ind., scratched first-time starter Delta Nine from a race after determining his gate card had not been issued by Ashwood's starter. Delta Nine was also trained by Mitchell and based at Ashwood. The Indiana Horse Racing Commission has not issued a ruling on the matter.

Ricker said he's done nothing wrong and is appealing the Ohio disqualification.

“It wasn't a fraudulent card,” Ricker said. “It's since been cleared up, as far as I'm concerned. The starter works for me. I own the training center. I've got signed affidavits from six people. The starter said (Easily Influenced) was OK, but he was out of gate cards to fill out. I printed more for him, but he wasn't going to be back in time.”

Ricker said he wasn't happy with Bundy's testimony before the Belterra Park stewards.

“He's since been fired,” Ricker said of Bundy. “I'm filing a complaint against him (with the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission).”

Bundy could not be reached for comment.

Ricker said Ashwood's new starter is Barry Wilson.

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Projected Heat Index Forces Thursday Cancellation At Indiana Grand

Due to projected extreme temperatures and expected heat index for Thursday, Aug. 12, Indiana Grand Racing & Casino will cancel the late afternoon racing program.

The decision to cancel was made in a joint effort by Indiana Grand management and the Indiana Horse Racing Commission. All entities agreed the safety of all equine and human athletes is always the utmost of importance in extreme temperatures forecasted for Central Indiana. The area is currently under a heat advisory through Thursday, Aug. 12.

Racing will resume Saturday, Aug. 14 with an all-Quarter Horse program beginning at 10 a.m.

Live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing is in progress through Monday, Nov. 8. The 120-day racing season offers action Monday through Thursday with a first post of 2:25 p.m. Monday through Wednesday. Racing begins at 3:25 p.m. on Thursdays.

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