Pennsylvania Racing Commission | Horse Racing Free Tips

Saffie Joseph, Jr. Suspended 15 Days In Pennsylvania For Positive, Will Appeal

Saffie Joseph, Jr., the leading trainer at the current meet at Gulfstream Park, has been suspended for 15 days and fined $500 by the Pennsylvania Racing Commission after his trainee Artie's Princess (We Miss Artie) tested positive for the substance Gabapentin after her win in the GII Presque Isle Downs Masters S. on Sept. 19, 2022 at Presque Isle Downs.

The story was first reported by the Paulick Report.

According to the website Equinews.com, “Gabapentin has been used in horses for many years, and is often prescribed as adjunct therapy for horses with pain rising from laminitis, particularly as part of a multimodal approach to pain management.”

Joseph denied any wrongdoing and said he is appealing the ruling.

“I had never even heard of this medication and it was never used on that horse or any horse I've had,” he said. “We've never had it in the barn. I was completely shocked by this.”

According to a document from the Pennsylvania Racing Commission, which Joseph forwarded to the TDN, Artie's Princess was also tested the afternoon before the race and was negative “for the presence of foreign substances.” Joseph questioned how the same horse could test positive the next day when it had not had any further veterinary treatment.

“She was tested 24 hours before the race by the same Pennsylvania lab,” he said. “The horse was negative and was then positive the next day when no vet treated her. How is that possible? The proof is in the pudding.”

Joseph also said the horse tested positive at a level that should be considered below the recognized threshold level.

“The stewards had all the facts and they made a decision,” Joseph said. “They chose not to step up to the plate and did not make a decision based on the facts. I'm not denying what was there. But how did it get there? I don't know. If you follow the science and the studies that have been done, it shouldn't even be called a positive.”

Joseph asked for a split sample. The Texas A & M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory confirmed the positive finding.

Had he not appealed, Joseph's suspension would have run from June 5 through June 19, 2023.

The Pennsylvania State Horse Racing Commission also ordered the disqualification of Artie's Princess and a redistribution of the purse. Café Society (Empire Maker) originally finished second in the race.

The post Saffie Joseph, Jr. Suspended 15 Days In Pennsylvania For Positive, Will Appeal appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Two Trainers, Jockey, Suspended After Searches at Parx

Parx-based trainers Miguel Penaloza and Cesareo Marquez and jockey Edwin Rivera have been summarily suspended by the Pennsylvania Racing Commission after recent investigations found the three to be in possession of contraband. The trainers were found to be in possession of hypodermic needles, syringes and injectable substances, while Rivera was caught with an electrical device.

According to a press release from the Organization of Racing Investigators, investigators from multiple jurisdictions assembled the week of Sept. 19 and conducted barn searches and stopped cars at the backstretch gates at all three of Pennsylvania's thoroughbred tracks. The effort was led by Jason Klouser, director of enforcement, Pennsylvania State Horse Racing Commission. The investigators came from Pennsylvania, Texas, California, Arizona, Florida and Kentucky.

The search at Parx that caught the three individuals took place on Sept. 23, the day before the running of the GI Pennsylvania Derby. The Organization of Racing Investigators dubbed the team sent to Parx the “Pennsylvania Derby Racing Integrity Team.”

“By establishing a strong presence, the Racing Integrity Teams at each site protected Thoroughbreds, ensuring that equine safety and integrity were the top priorities,” the press release read. “The investigations at Parx produced some important results, after sweeps at the gate and stable areas.”

According to the ruling posted on the Pennsylvania Racing Commission's website, a search of Penaloza's barn and tack room uncovered two loaded syringes and a needle. Under Pennsylvania rules, no person, except a commission veterinarian, racetrack veterinarian or veterinarian licensed by the commission, may possess or use a hypodermic needle, hypodermic syringe capable of accepting a needle and injectable substances of any kind, type or description on the licensed racetrack grounds, in that person's custody, control or possession.

Penaloza has been training since 2015 and has 172 winners from 1,360 starters for a winning rate of 13%. He is 15-for-107 on the year at Parx. He had a positive for dexamethosone during the 2021 Monmouth meet and received a 15-day suspension. That same year he had a positive for Methocarbamol at Parx and was fined $1,000.

According to the ruling, Marquez was found to be in possession of multiple loaded needles and syringes. Represented by attorney Alan Pincus, Marquez appeared at a hearing before the board of stewards on Sept. 26, where the ruling was affirmed.

Marquez is in his first year of training and is 3-for-73 on the year for a winning rate of 4%.

According to the commission's ruling, after his car was stopped at the backstretch gate, Rivera was found to be in possession of two electrical devices. A hearing for Rivera was held Sept. 26, but, according to the press release, he refused to testify. The press release also noted that under Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority regulations a jockey found with an electrical device faces a ban of up to 10 years.

Rivera has been riding since 2007 and has 847 career winners. He has 42 winners on the year at Parx and is in tenth place in the standings.

According to its website, the Organization of Racing Investigators, Inc. is “comprised of professionals responsible for investigations associated with professional horse racing” and its members “are employed by government, police, and regulatory entities as well as private security firms and racetracks.” The description on the website continues: “ORI members actively investigate race fixing, horse doping, animal abuse, drug abuse, money laundering, cyber crime, fraud, conspiracy, and a host of other infractions of the laws and rules that govern professional horse racing and pari-mutuel activity. ORI members assist with the most expansive and aggressive drug testing program in professional sports, conduct background investigations, and cooperate with law enforcement agencies at all levels of government.”

The post Two Trainers, Jockey, Suspended After Searches at Parx appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Parx Investigation Finds Contraband, Suspensions Expected

According to numerous sources, the Pennsylvania Racing Commission stopped several cars over the weekend going through the backstretch gates at Parx and the search uncovered a number of illegal items, including syringes and an electrical device. According to the sources, at least three people have already been summarily suspended, including a jockey and at least two trainers.

A groom was also found to have a gun in his possession and marijuana, which is illegal in the state.

The TDN was unable to reach anyone at the racing commission for additional details.

A similar investigation at Parx in July of last year resulted in a two-year suspension for trainer Richard Vega, who, investigators determined, was in possession of needles and syringes. Vega's suspension was set to expire on June 28, 2023, but he recently returned to training and started a horse at Parx on Sept. 19.

The TDN will continue to follow this story as details develop.

The post Parx Investigation Finds Contraband, Suspensions Expected appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Pennsylvania Racing Commission Releases Welfare and Safety Quarterly Report

The Pennsylvania State Horse Racing Commission reported Monday on the progress of its Equine Safety and Welfare Plan, a list of tangible steps intended to increase protections for horses racing at Pennsylvania's six tracks. The measures, which the commission began implementing Mar. 1, 2022, included an Integrity Hotline for reporting suspected illegal or unethical behavior.

“Early results from the hotline and other measures have been promising and reinforce the thorough consideration that went into developing the action plan,” said Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding, who chairs the commission. “Implementing the strategy will be a long-term effort. The commission is committed for the long haul to protecting the integrity of the sport and the safety and welfare of the horses and participants.”

The development of an equine fatality database was among the plan's 10 measures. Thoroughbred fatalities from Apr. 1-June 30 were 30 in 2021 and 17 in 2022. Fatalities to date in 2022 include 10 at Parx Racing in Philadelphia, five at Penn National in Dauphin County, and two at Presque Isle Downs in Erie County. Harness racing fatalities included three in 2021 and two during the same period in 2022–one at The Meadows in Washington County and one at Pocono Downs in Luzerne County.

Other new measures included an independent, third-party analysis of the racing surfaces at each track. No racing surface issues were flagged as a result of the analysis.

As a result of increased commission veterinary oversight of morning workouts, eight horses were placed on the veterinarians' list and deemed ineligible to race. As a result of enhanced post-race supervision and stricter criteria, 17 horses were placed on the veterinarians' list and six horses were retired from racing.

Five horses were deemed ineligible to race in Pennsylvania based on the new rule providing for the disqualification of any horse that finished 12 or more lengths behind the winner in five consecutive starts.

The Integrity Hotline received 51 calls from Mar. 1 through June 30. Every call is investigated and referred for action as warranted. Ten calls are pending investigation and 41 alleged issues have been closed. No fines or penalties have been issued as a result of issues alleged in calls.

Allegations at Thoroughbred tracks accounted for 32 calls, including unethical conduct by race officials and horsemen, use of illegal devices by a jockey, unethical treatment of horses, unauthorized ingress or egress by horses, wagering irregularities and monetary disputes.

Among 17 allegations made regarding standardbred race tracks were incorrect decisions by judges, unethical conduct by horsemen and training center officials, unethical treatment of horses, licensing concerns, and administration of performance-enhancing medications.

Two calls without a specific location included an allegation of unethical treatment of horses, and a question about standardbred racing.

Tips can be reported to the hotline anonymously at any time by leaving a detailed message at (717) 787-1942. More information about the Pennsylvania State Horseracing Commission can be found at agriculture.pa.gov.

The post Pennsylvania Racing Commission Releases Welfare and Safety Quarterly Report appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post