Parx Racing | Horse Racing Free Tips

Investigators Point To Training Conference Mar. 3-6 At Parx

Two board members from the Organization of Racing Investigators (ORI) warmed up their vocal chords and shared a sliver of their vast expertise concerning the value of racing integrity teams during a panel at the Global Symposium on Racing, sponsored by the University of Arizona's Race Track Industry Program, this past week.

Don Ahrens of Sam Houston Race Park and Jason Klouser of the Pennsylvania State Horse Racing Commission explained how these special squads, working alongside agencies like the Breeders' Cup, the U.S. Trotting Association, the American Quarter Horse Association and various state racing commissions and tracks, ensure that safety and security is center stage from the test barn to the winner's circle.

“We have developed an approach with these integrity teams which can be tailored to any situation, racetrack or regulatory body, and it really directs all of our resources to the protection of the equine athletes and ensure a level playing field for the participants, so the wagering public can bet on a product they can trust,” said Klouser.

Ahrens and Klouser are part of the ORI cadre which at its core is based on training and networking. Operating behind the scenes, members wage a daily effort to strengthen racing's regulatory efforts.

ORI member conducting mock search at last year's ORI Conference | ORI

ORI member's tradecraft will be on full display from Mar. 3-6 when the ORI meets for what will be its 28th Training Conference. This time around, the multi-day event will be held at Parx Racing in Bensalem, Pennsylvania.

Chaired by Klouser, the preliminary agenda includes a diverse set of speakers who will be covering some of the most important issues pertaining to investigations in racing today.

“Our training conference continues to grow exponentially,” said Klouser. “That speaks to the organization's reputation and the importance of our network of investigators.”

This year's keynote address will be given by TDN's CEO/Publisher Sue Finley, who will discuss the changing landscape of media coverage and how it relates to racing integrity issues.

“We are excited to have Sue come and speak to the group since she has such an impressive list of accomplishments and we know she is going to deliver a unique set of perspectives concerning the media,” said Klouser.

Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from the following:

William Behe, United States Attorney's Office, Penn National Race Fixing Prosecution
John Burgess, British Horse Racing Authority, BHA Overview and Case Study
Angela Pezel-McCloskey, USDA Inspection Services, Unregulated Horse Racing in North America
Ismael Navarreto, Pennsylvania State Horse Racing Commission, Hidden Ownership & Fraud Case Study
TC Lane, U.S. Trotting Association, USTA Regulatory Authority
Cammie Helleski, University of Kentucky, Societal License to Operate
Janet VanBebber, American Quarter Horse Association, AQHA's Role in Racing
Vicky Kuora, FBI Violent Gangs & Safe Streets Task Force, Illicit Use of Xylazine
Ann McGovern, Horseracing Integrity Safety Authority, Review of Churchill Downs Catastrophic Injury Report
Shawn Loehr, Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit, HIWU Update
Mickey Peterson, New Jersey Racing Commission, Preparing the Harness Horse for Racing
Robert Martin, Parx Racing, Stable Area Access System
Julie Engiles, Penn Vet-New Bolton Center Pathologists, Role in Equine Fatality Prosecutions
Adam Morris, Governor's Office of General Counsel, Racing Official Prosecutions
Michael Spada, Pennsylvania State Police, Case Study
Carlos Quintana & Mónica Andreu, Comisión de Juegos de Puerto Rico, Regulating Racing in Puerto Rico

Click here for more information about ORI's 2024 Training Conference.

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Weekly Stewards And Commissions Rulings, Nov. 28-Dec. 4

Every week, the TDN posts a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) related rulings from around the country.

Among the key rulings from the last seven days, the prohibition of intra-articular injections within seven days of a timed or reported workout once again stands out as a thorn in the side of trainers.

Three such cases have been resolved in the past week, resulting in $3,000 fines meted out in each case.

The Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) also handed down a seven-day suspension and $1,000 fine to trainer Norman Follett, for a post-race Lidocaine positive following a September runner at Belmont at the Big A. Lidocaine is a pain reliever used ubiquitously in human medicine.

The details of the ruling are not yet publicly available. But Equibase shows Follett to run a small New York-based stable. This year, he has made only 39 starts and had one winner.

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

Resolved ADMC Violations
Date: 11/4/2023
Licensee: Gustavo Amaya, 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, Sandpiper Memories. This was also a possible violation of Rule 4222—Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout.

Date: 10/26/2023
Licensee: Wendell McDaniel, trainer
Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision by HIWU.
Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Big Difference. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 10/25/2023
Licensee: Peter Miller, trainer
Penalty: A fine of $3,000; imposition of 3 Penalty Points. Final decision by HIWU.
Explainer: A possible violation of Rule 3314—Use or Attempted Use of a Controlled Medication Substance or a Controlled Medication Method—on the horse, Thirsty John. This was also a possible violation of Rule 4222—Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout.

Date: 10/24/2023
Licensee: Jamie Ness, trainer
Penalty: A fine of $3,000; imposition of 3 Penalty Points. Final decision by HIWU.
Explainer: A possible violation of Rule 3314—Use or Attempted Use of a Controlled Medication Substance or a Controlled Medication Method—on the horse, Dust Devil. This is also a possible violation of Rule 4222—Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout.

Date: 10/14/2023
Licensee: Ronnie Cravens, 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. Final decision by HIWU.
Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Saturday's Gold, who won at Remington Park Oct. 14, 2023. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 10/11/2023
Licensee: Darlene Green, 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 written reprimand (per 9/26/23 HISA Guidance). Final decision by HIWU.
Explainer: For the presence of Omeprazole—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Highcotton Justice, who finished second at Horseshoe Indianapolis Oct. 11, 2023. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 9/22/2023
Licensee: Norman Follett, trainer
Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility, beginning on Dec. 5, 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 $1,000; imposition of 2 Penalty Points. Admission.
Explainer: For the presence of Lidocaine—Controlled Medication (Class B)—in a sample taken from Racing Colors, who finished second at Belmont at the Big A Sept. 22, 2023. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Pending ADMC Violations
Date: 11/01/2023
Licensee: Steve Krebs, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Guaifenesin—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Burn The Evidence, who won at Parx Racing Nov. 1, 2023. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 10/31/2023
Licensee: Ortis Henry, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Glycopyrrolate—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Empress Palpatine, who finished second at Finger Lakes Oct. 31, 2023. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 10/28/2023
Licensee: Tony Lello, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Methocarbamol—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Reel Em In. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

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

Del Mar
Armando Aguilar – violation date Dec. 1; $250 fine, one-day suspension
Tyler Gaffalione – violation date Dec. 2; $277 fine, one-day suspension

Remington Park
Jermaine Valentino Bridgmohan – violation date Nov. 29; $250 fine, one-day suspension

OTHER KEY RULINGS
The TDN also 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.

California
Track: Del Mar
Date: 12/03/2023
Licensee: Keron Thomas, owner
Penalty: Suspension
Violation: Failure to comply with financial responsibility agreement
Explainer: Owner Keron Thomas is suspended after failing to comply to the terms agreed to in the hearing for violation of California Horse Racing Board rule #1876 (Financial Responsibility – Sunshine Farms [Boarding cost] $5,170.97). Suspension to commence Dec. 16, 2023.

Track: Del Mar
Date: 12/03/2023
Licensee: Antonio Fresu, jockey
Penalty: One-day suspension
Violation: Competing in one more designated race than permitted
Explainer: Jockey Antonio Fresu is suspended for 1 additional racing day (Dec. 10, 2023) pursuant to California Horse Racing Board rule #1766 (f) (Designated Races – participated in more than one designated race on Dec. 3, 2023).

New York
Track: Aqueduct
Date: 11/30/2023
Licensee: Jose Antonio Gomez, jockey
Penalty: Five-day suspension
Violation: Careless riding
Explainer: Having waived his right to an appeal Jockey Mr. Jose Antonio Gomez is hereby suspended five NYRA racing days. Effective Dec. 7-10, 2023, and Dec. 14, 2023, inclusive. This for careless riding during the running of the 7th race at Aqueduct Racetrack Nov. 25, 2023.

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Parx-Based Trainer Joe Taylor Receives Six-Year Ban

Joe Taylor, who has been among the top trainers at Parx since he began his career about eight years ago, has received a six-year suspension from the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) after two of his horses tested positive for the banned substances clenbuterol and methylphenidate.

According to a posting on the HIWU website, Taylor has admitted the violations and accepted the penalties. However, his attorney, Alan Pincus, raised questions about the positive tests.

“No trainer is going to give his horse two different easily detectable illegal drugs and do it two different times,” Pincus said. “Somebody got to them. Obviously, we can't prove anything. We asked HISA to investigate and they didn't. So what can he do? Their system for banned substances is profoundly unfair. To have any chance at all, you have to prove how it got in there and prove that you were not negligent in letting it get in there. We have suspicions of how the drugs got in there, but we can't prove them. Under their system, you can't win.”

With two horses having tested positive for two different substances, Taylor received 18 months for each offense, which ads up to the six years. He was also fined $12,500 for each offense.

The first positive came when Cajun Cousin (Cajun Breeze) finished seventh in a June 18 claiming race at Parx. Two days later, the Taylor-trained Classy American (Uncle Lino) finished tenth in a starter allowance at Parx.

According to the National Institute of Health's website, methylphenidate “is a powerful central nervous system stimulant with a high potential for abuse in horse racing.” Clenbuterol is a bronchodilator that can treat lower airways disease but also has a steroid-like effect that can help build muscle mass.

Both Cajun Cousin and Classy American will be prohibited from racing for a period of 14 months.

Taylor, who began his career in harness racing, started training Thoroughbreds full time in 2017 when he had 30 winners. His career peaked in 2019 when he won 111 races. He had 103 victories that year at Parx to lead all trainers in the standings. For his career, Taylor has won 327 races from 2,011 starters.

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Riding Six Tracks In Six Days, Conner’s Mileage Surpassed Only By His Work Ethic

When Penn National shut down for a one-month planned break Sept. 23, Tyler Conner, the track's third-leading rider this year in both wins and earnings, wasn't sure what he'd do to keep his income flowing.

Yet the 30-year-old jockey, who is soft-spoken but highly driven, managed to build enough out-of-town business to the point where he has just completed a demanding six-day run of riding at six different tracks in the Northeast and Canada.

His whirlwind tour included more than 1,800 miles of driving, nearly all of which he accomplished solo Oct. 11-16 while amassing a 2-4-2 mark from 14 mounts at Parx, Laurel, Delaware, Aqueduct, Woodbine and Presque Isle.

“Anyone have a helicopter I can borrow?” Conner had humorously asked on Twitter during the midway point of his journey.

And no, on the seventh day Conner did not rest. TDN spoke to him via phone Oct. 17 while he was driving 110 miles from his home on a small farm near Penn National to ride at Parx, where the six-day streak had first begun Oct. 11.

Conner said the extensive travel was worth it, although maybe more in terms of getting his name out there and getting noticed rather than money.

“I was a little worried the last couple of weeks before we shut down, because I didn't have a plan. I didn't really know what business would be like with the break. Winning when you have to ship in from out of town is always tough,” Conner said.

And what fueled him on his rigorous commutes beyond aspirations of bettering himself?

“Good music and podcasts,” Conner said. “And I definitely drank too much Mountain Dew to keep me awake and focused. For most of the week it was rainy, kind of gloomy. So it wasn't the best driving, but nothing crazy happened. That's always helpful.”

“But it's been pretty good,” Conner continued. “I've been really, really busy. Busier than I've been all year, honestly. And the horses are running well, so that helps. [The week on the road] paid for the trip, and a little more.”

The day after Penn went on hiatus, Conner had four mounts on the GI Pennsylvania Derby card at Parx, where his best finish was third aboard Mish (Field Commission) in the $300,000 Parx Dirt Mile S.

Honor D Lady | Coady Photography

That mount was for trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr., who also sent Conner to ride in Oklahoma the next night, Sept. 24, aboard Honor D Lady (Honor Code), who won the GIII Remington Park Oaks at 7-1 odds.

“Winning the Oaks was huge,” Conner said. “That really helped, being off for the month.”

Conner returned home and rode at various mid-Atlantic tracks over the next two weeks. His calendar then came together better than he expected it would in the second week of October.

He began the six-tracks-in-six-days tour with 220 miles of round-trip driving Oct. 11 and a third-place finish in a Parx starter-allowance with a $26,000 purse.

The next day, Oct. 12, the 240-mile round trip to Laurel netted Conner a second and a win, with the victory coming in a $60,940 allowance/optional claimer.

On Friday the 13th, Conner trekked 170 miles round-trip to Delaware, riding fifth with one mount, then second with another in a starter-allowance with a $30,000 purse.

“Parx, Laurel, Delaware, I just go back and forth for those as day trips,” Conner said as if racking up 630 collective miles on three consecutive days constituted normal workday commuting.

On Saturday, Oct. 14, Conner drove 180 miles to Aqueduct to ride Salvaje (Kantharos) in the $125,000 Floral Park S. The field scratched down to four as an off-the-turfer, and he managed third with his 6-1 shot behind a 3-10 winner.

“I drove to Woodbine from there. It was about nine hours, and I got to Woodbine around midnight,” Conner said of the 500-mile trek that included an international border crossing. “Then I just slept in until 10 in the morning and got some rest.”

Those two Woodbine mounts (one in a stakes) again came courtesy of trainer Joseph.

Conner explained that after he won the GII Penn Mile for a different trainer in 2022, Joseph had contacted him with praise for his riding, and had offered to give him business if he switched his tack to Gulfstream, where Joseph is based.

Conner tried it for a weekend in June 2022 and won a race, but respectfully declined the offer to move to Florida full-time because he thought it would be too tough to get additional mounts on that highly competitive circuit beyond those that Joseph offered.

“Saffie has helped me a lot,” Conner said. “He's been so good to me, and given me an opportunity to ride a lot of nice horses. I tell people all the time I'll go anywhere he wants me to go, just to have those opportunities. Now he sends me where it fits for him and when I'm available. It's been good riding for new people at new tracks and to get recognized a little bit outside of the usual.”

At Woodbine Oct. 15, Conner was second aboard the 15-1 Mystic Lake (Mo Town) in the $125,000 Glorious Song S., and he ran fourth with his 18-1 shot in a maiden allowance.

Woodbine to Presque Isle meant another border crossing and 180 more miles. Out of six mounts for six different trainers on the Oct. 16 card there, Conner won a $30,000 maiden allowance and finished second in a maiden-claimer.

Tyler Conner | Lauren King

On the 310-mile drive back home in the dark, Conner said he got help splitting time behind the wheel from a Penn-based buddy who had also been up at Presque Isle to race.

“I'm actually enjoying the traveling right now,” Conner said. “I would hopefully like to keep riding at other bigger tracks and ride in more big races. I'm working on getting to Kentucky. But I'm just kind of waiting on an answer from an agent right now, and depending on what he wants to do, I'll go from there.”

Conner was born into a racing family. His father, John Conner, is a former trainer who now owns horses and is an in-demand farrier. His mom, Sandra Conner, rode regularly from 1989 up until Tyler was born in 1993. His stepmom, Erin McClellan, currently trains at Penn.

Yet Conner said he didn't gravitate to becoming a jockey until after he had quit high school and earned his GED while working as a groom. Prior to that, ever since he was about age five, his passion had been motocross.

“That's all I did growing up, was ride motorcycles. I still do, on occasion,” Conner said. “I guess I figured I'd try riding horses out of necessity. I kept getting hurt on the motorcycles, and I had to find a job that would pay better than grooming, so I started riding. I had never been on a horse before that.”

Conner laughed politely at the suggestion that not too many jockeys find their calling in race-riding because they think it's a less dangerous option than what they had been doing.

“I know anything can happen, but riding horses is definitely safer at this point. The chances of injury are a lot lower, it seems like,” Conner said.

Wednesday, Oct. 18, was technically Conner's first day off in a week. But that just meant he wouldn't have mounts booked in afternoon or evening races.

“Oh, yeah, I'll still go to work at Penn for morning training, for sure,” Conner said.

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