September 2019 Thoroughbred Rulings - Maryland Racing Commission

September 6, 2019 - Laurel Park
#19-098 The Stewards do hereby rescind the fine (ruling #19-086) issued to trainer Ann Merryman, dated August 2, 2019. This ruling was issued in error.

September 6, 2019 - Laurel Park
#19-099 In the matter of jockey Ivan Perez, subject of Stewards Ruling #19-077;

On September 6, 2019, Ivan Perez appeared before the Stewards upon the request of HCP Coordinator Jessica Hammond, for consideration of reinstatement to good standing. The HCP coordinator provided an evaluation from Adult Personal & Career Counseling. In their evaluation they indicate that Mr. Perez is presently drug free. She recommended that he be reinstated to good standing and permitted to return to work subject to the following stipulation:

That at the Stewards discretion he submit to drug testing by the HCP Coordinator, the Stewards, or their designated representative.
[COMAR 09.10.03.05.] .
In light of the above, the Stewards hereby order that Ivan Perez be reinstated to good standing subject to the above-stated stipulation.

September 7, 2019 - Laurel Park
#19-100 In the matter of stable employee Diane Munzer: On July 10, 2019, Ms. Munzer was requested to deliver a urine sample by the MRC Investigators. The specimen she rendered tested positive for marijuana.
[ COMAR 09.10.03.05 A(1)(a)(i). ]

A hearing was held on July 11, 2019. Ms. Munzer appeared in the absence of counsel and waived her right thereto. Based upon the testimony and evidence presented at the hearing, the Stewards found Diane Munzer in violation of
[COMAR 09.10.03.05 Drug Prohibition-Humans.] However with the MTHA Counselor on vacation the Stewards afforded Ms. Munzer a week to make arrangements with the Counselor to start the evaluation process. Ms. Munzer has since tested positive for drugs.

Accordingly, the Stewards hereby order:

That the license issued to Diane Munzer be suspended until such time as she has been professionally evaluated and is drug free.
[COMAR 09.10.03.05, F (1)].
That while she is under suspension, Ms. Munzer be denied the privileges of all the grounds under the jurisdiction of the Maryland Racing Commission.
[COMAR 09.10.01.45, 'Y (1) (a).]

September 18, 2019 - Laurel Park
#19-101 In the sixth race, at Laurel Park on September 18, 2019, horse #5 “Martini Kid”, ridden by jockey Katie Davis, was disqualified from third position and placed fourth. Inside the 1/8th pole #5 “Martini Kid”, behind horses, was angled out by jockey Davis and soundly bumped #4 “Hard Fought”, forcing that horse out to give herself a running lane.

[Violation under COMAR 09.10.01.50, A (1) b & e, which states in pertinent parts: “A horse may not: (b) Cross or weave in front of another horse without sufficient clearance, or (e) Impede another horse.]

OFFICIAL ORDER OF FINISH:
1st Birdsnest Party
2nd Tempt Me Twice
3rd Hard Fought
4th Martini Kid

September 18, 2019 - Laurel Park
#19-102 Jockey, Katie Davis, is suspended three (3) Maryland racing days, September 21, 22 & 27, 2019, for riding the horse “Martini Kid” in a careless manner in the sixth race at Laurel Park on September 14, 2019, thereby causing the disqualification of “Martini Kid” from third to fourth position.
[COMAR 09.10.01.45 AA (2)(c)(d).]

September 18, 2019 - Laurel Park
#19-103 In the fourth race, at Laurel Park on September 15, 2019, horse #4 “Magical Luna”, ridden by jockey Alex Cintron was disqualified from first position and placed second. Inside the 1/8 pole, #4 “Magical Luna” came out, under left-handed whipping, brushed with and carried #3“Valle Luna” out in the track, taking away his best opportunity to get past him.
[Violation under COMAR 09.10.01.50, A (1) a & d, which states in pertinent parts: “A horse may not: (a) Carry another horse in or out (d) Intimidate another horse.]

OFFICIAL ORDER OF FINISH:
1st Magical Luna
2nd Valle Luna

September 19, 2019 - Laurel Park
#19-104 In the matter of stable employee Tyree Brent: On September 8, 2019, Mr. Brent was requested to deliver a urine sample by the MRC Investigators. The specimen he rendered tested positive for cocaine. At Mr. Brents’ request a split sample was sent out. On September 18, 2019, the Stewards received a report back from Truesdail Laboratories confirming the presence of cocaine and benzoylecgonine.
[COMAR 09.10.03.05 A(1)(a)(i). ]

A hearing was held on September 19, 2019. Mr. Brent appeared in the absence of counsel and waived his right thereto. Based upon the testimony and evidence presented at the hearing, the Stewards found Tyree Brent in violation of
[COMAR 09.10.03.05 Drug Prohibition-Humans.]

Accordingly, the Stewards hereby order:

That the license issued to Tyree Brent be suspended until such time as he has been professionally evaluated
[COMAR 09.10.03.05, F (1)].
That while he is under suspension, Mr. Brent be denied the privileges of all the grounds under the jurisdiction of the Maryland Racing Commission.

September 22 3, 2019 - Laurel Park
#19-105 In the sixth race, at Laurel Park on September 21, 2019, horse #4 “Jais’s Solitude”, ridden by jockey Feargal Lynch, was disqualified from first position and placed sixth. Inside the 1/16th pole, #4 “Jais’s Solitude”, put #5 “Zonda” in tight while drifting in, forcing her rider to take up sharply to avoid clipping heels, losing all momentum.

OFFICIAL ORDER OF FINISH:
1st He’s No Lemon
2nd Another Mystery
3rd Changi
4th Channel Island
5th Zonda
6th Jais’s Solitude

September 22, 2019 - Laurel Park
#19-106 Jockey, Feargal Lynch, is suspended three (3) Maryland racing days, September 28, 29 & October 3, 2019, for riding the horse “Jais’s Solitude” in a careless manner in the sixth race at Laurel Park on September 21, 2019, thereby causing the disqualification of “Jais’s Solitude” from first to sixth position.
[COMAR 09.10.01.45 AA (1) (2)]

September 26, 2019 - Laurel Park
#19-107 In the matter of Jockey, Feargal Lynch, subject of Stewards’ Ruling #19-107, dated September 21, 2019.

Jockey Lynch, having filed an appeal with the Maryland Racing Commission of the suspension issued to him by the Stewards in Ruling #19-106, said suspension is hereby stayed pending a Commission hearing on this appeal.
[COMAR: 09.10.04.04 A]

September 26, 2019 - Laurel Park
#19-108 Exercise rider, Sarah Mohr, is fined Twenty five dollars ($25.) for failure to follow directions of the MJC outriders.
[COMAR 09.10.01.45 H, O, V, (1) (d)]

September 26, 2019 - Laurel Park
#19-109 In the matter of stable employee, Alex Febus-Diaz. On September 22, 2019, Racetrack Security and the MRC Investigator requested to Mr. Diaz permission to search his room. Mr. Diaz agreed to the search. In the course of the search, marijuana and cocaine were found. Mr. Diaz admitted the property was his, refused a drug test and admitted to drug use.
[COMAR 09.10.03.05 A(1)(b)(i). ]

A hearing was held on September 22, 2019. Mr. Diaz appeared in the absence of counsel and waived his right thereto. Based upon the testimony and evidence presented at the hearing, the Stewards found Alex Febus-Diaz in violation of COMAR 09.10.03.03 Drug Prohibition-Humans

Accordingly, the Stewards hereby order:

That the license issued to Alex Febus-Diaz be suspended until such time as he has been professionally evaluated
[COMAR 09.10.03.05, 'F(1)], and
That while he is under suspension, Mr. Diaz be denied the privileges of all the grounds under the jurisdiction of the Maryland Racing Commission.
[COMAR 09.10.01.45, 'Y (1) (a).]