March 2025 Thoroughbred Rulings - Maryland Racing Commission
DATE: March 2, 2025 TRACK: Laurel Park
STEWARDS: Adam Campola
Ross R Pearce
Russell G Derderian
RULINGS:
#25-013 In the seventh race at Laurel Park on March 1, 2025, horse #1 “El De Larry”, ridden by
jockey J. G. Torrealba was disqualified from first position and placed second. Inside the
1/8th pole the #1 “El De Larry” under left-handed whipping, drifted outward numerous paths,
herding #4 “Fun Lovin Criminal” ridden by jockey Carlos Lopez and contacting him
before winning in a tight finish.
COMAR 09.10.01.50 A (1)(a)(c) which states in pertinent parts: “A horse may not (a) Carry another horse in or out (c) Jostle another horse]
OFFICIAL ORDER OF FINISH
1st Fun Lovin Criminal
2nd El De Larry
BY ORDER OF THE STEWARDS
DATE: March 2, 2025 TRACK: Laurel Park
STEWARDS: Adam Campola
Ross R Pearce
Russell G Derderian
RULINGS:
#25-014 Jockey, J. G. Torrealba, is suspended two (2) Maryland racing day, March 9 and March 21, 2025, for riding the horse “El De Larry” in a careless manner in the seventh race at Laurel Park on March 1, 2025.
[COMAR 09.10.01.45 AA (1).]
BY ORDER OF THE STEWARDS
DATE: March 6, 2025 TRACK: Laurel Park
STEWARDS: Adam Campola
Ross R Pearce
Russell G Derderian
RULINGS:
#25-015 In the matter of Stable employee Sergio Sanchez-Oyanedel: On March 2, 2025 Mr. Sanchez was requested to deliver urine sample by the MRC Investigators. The specimen he rendered tested positive for marijuana.
COMAR 09.10.03.05 A(1)(a)(i).
A hearing was held on March 2, 2025. Mr. Sanchez- Oyanedel appeared in the absence of counsel and waived his right thereto. Based upon the testimony and evidence presented at the hearing, the Stewards found Sergio Sanchez-Oyandel in violation of COMAR 09.10.03.05 Drug Prohibition-Humans.
Accordingly, the Stewards hereby order:
- That the license issued to Sergio Sanchez-Oyanedel be suspended until such time as he
has been professionally evaluated and deemed not a detriment to racing. [COMAR 09.10.03.05, F(1)].
- That while he is under suspension, Mr. Sanchez-Oyanedel will not be allowed to work on
the backside.
[COMAR 09.10.01.45, 'Y (1) (a).]
BY ORDER OF THE STEWARDS
DATE: March 6, 2025 TRACK: Laurel Park
STEWARDS: Adam Campola
Ross R Pearce
Russell G Derderian
RULINGS:
#25-016 In the matter of Stable employee Felipe Gonzalez-Plaza: On March 2, 2025 Mr. Gonzalez-Plaza was requested to deliver urine sample by the MRC Investigators. The specimen he rendered tested positive for marijuana.
COMAR 09.10.03.05 A(1)(a)(i).
A hearing was held on March 2, 2025. Mr. Gonzalez-Plaza appeared in the absence of counsel and waived his right thereto. Based upon the testimony and evidence presented at the hearing, the Stewards found Felipe Gonzalez-Plaza in violation of COMAR 09.10.03.05 Drug Prohibition-Humans.
Accordingly, the Stewards hereby order:
- That the license issued to Felipe Gonzalez-Plaza be suspended until such time as he
has been professionally evaluated and deemed not a detriment to racing. [COMAR 09.10.03.05, F(1)].
- That while he is under suspension, Mr. Gonzalez-Plaza will not be allowed to work on
the backside.
[COMAR 09.10.01.45, 'Y (1) (a).]
BY ORDER OF THE STEWARDS
DATE: March 7, 2025 TRACK: Laurel Park
STEWARDS: Adam Campola
Ross R Pearce
Russell G Derderian
RULINGS:
#25-017 In the matter of Stable employee Arturo Martinez-Bahena: On March 6, 2025 Mr. Martinez-Bahena was requested to deliver urine sample by the MRC Investigators. The specimen he rendered tested positive for methamphetamine.
COMAR 09.10.03.05 A(1)(a)(i).
A hearing was held on March 7, 2025. Mr. Martinez-Bahena appeared in the absence of counsel and waived his right thereto. Based upon the testimony and evidence presented at the hearing, the Stewards found Arturo Martinez-Bahena in violation of COMAR 09.10.03.05 Drug Prohibition-Humans.
Accordingly, the Stewards hereby order:
- That the license issued to Arturo Martinez-Bahena be suspended until such time as he
has been professionally evaluated and deemed not a detriment to racing. [COMAR 09.10.03.05, F(1)].
- That while he is under suspension, Mr. Martinez-Bahena will not be allowed to work on
the backside.
[COMAR 09.10.01.45, 'Y (1) (a).]
BY ORDER OF THE STEWARDS
DATE: March 8, 2025 TRACK: Laurel Park
STEWARDS: Adam Campola
Ross R Pearce
Russell G Derderian
RULINGS:
#25-018 In the matter of the fifth race at Laurel Park on March 2, 2025, regarding the Official result.
On March 7, 2025 the Stewards notified trainer Claudio Gonzalez of a crop violation by the jockey of his horse “Rosieontheriver” during the running of the fifth race on the March 2, 2025. The Stewards notified Mr. Gonzalez that jockey Raul Mena struck his mount 10 times during the race, which is a HISA violation that calls for the disqualification of said horse. Mr. Gonzalez waived his right to a hearing on this matter and has agreed to the penalty.
Based upon the foregoing, the Stewards hereby order that:
The horse, “Rosieontheriver” be disqualified from the fifth race on March 2, 2025.
The Horsemen’s Bookkeeper redistribute all monies for that race in accordance with the
following order.
OFFICIAL ORDER OF FINISH
1st Complexity Jane
2nd Estocada
3rd Chickin Lickin
4th Mad For Maddy
Unplaced- Rosieontheriver
HISA #2282 (a) (2) (b) (2)
BY ORDER OF THE STEWARDS
DATE: March 8, 2025 TRACK: Laurel Park
STEWARDS: Adam Campola
Ross R Pearce
Russell G Derderian
RULINGS:
#25-019 Jockey, Raul Mena is in violation of the HISA riding crop rule #2280 (b)(1). During the
running of the fifth race on March 2, 2025, jockey Mena hit his mount “Rosieontheriver” 10
times which is in violation of the 6 strike rule. On March 7, 2025 a hearing was held to
review the race. The Stewards issued the following penalty.
(1)Mr. Mena is fined Seven hundred and fifty dollars ($750.00) from HISA.
(2)Mr. Mena is suspended five (5) days, March 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23, 2025. However, Mr. Mena has designated the Private Terms Stake and the Beyond the Wire Stake on March 22, 2025. Mr. Mena will now serve March 24, 2025.
HISA 2282 (a) (2) (b) (2)
BY ORDER OF THE STEWARDS
DATE: March 8, 2025 TRACK: Laurel Park
STEWARDS: Adam Campola
Ross R Pearce
Russell G Derderian
RULINGS:
#25-020 In the matter of Stable employee Onix Geraldino: On March 9, 2025 a hearing was held for Mr. Geraldino. Mr. Geraldino appeared in the absence of counsel and waived his right hereto. Video evidence was presented showing Mr. Geraldino being abusive towards a horse in his care. Mr. Geraldino testified as to his behavior and showed remorse for his actions. Based upon the testimony and evidence presented the Stewards find as follows..
COMAR 09.10.03.03 A(14)
Mr. Geraldino will be suspended for a period of thirty (30) days, March 9, 2025 through April 7, 2025. However, the Stewards will stay fifteen (15) days of the suspension provided Mr. Geraldino has no other incident while licensed by the Maryland Racing Commission.
Mr. Geraldino is also ordered to complete a course of Anger Management through the MTHA Counselor.
COMAR 09.10.01.45 H
BY ORDER OF THE STEWARDS
DATE: March 26, 2025 TRACK: Laurel Park
STEWARDS: Adam Campola
Ross R Pearce
Russell G Derderian
RULINGS:
#25-021 In the seventh race at Laurel Park on March 22, 2025, horse #6 “Moon Cache”, ridden by
jockey Raul Mena was disqualified from first position and placed second. Inside the
1/8th pole the #6 “Moon Cache” under left-handed whipping, drifted outward numerous
paths, herding #3 “Safe Trust” ridden by jockey Denis Araujo and contacting him
before winning in a tight finish.
COMAR 09.10.01.50 A (1)(a)(c) which states in pertinent parts: “A horse may not (a) Carry another horse in or out (c) Jostle another horse]
OFFICIAL ORDER OF FINISH
1st Safe Trust
2nd Moon Cache
BY ORDER OF THE STEWARDS
DATE: March 26, 2025 TRACK: Laurel Park
STEWARDS: Adam Campola
Ross R Pearce
Russell G Derderian
RULINGS:
#25-022 Jockey, Raul Mena, is suspended three (3) Maryland racing day, March 29, 30 and April 4, 2025, for riding the horse “Moon Cache” in a careless manner in the seventh race at Laurel Park on March 22, 2025.
[COMAR 09.10.01.45 AA (1).]
BY ORDER OF THE STEWARDS
DATE: March 26, 2025 TRACK: Laurel Park
STEWARDS: Adam Campola
Ross R Pearce
Russell G Derderian
RULINGS:
#25-023 Trainer, Anthony Farrior is fined Two hundred and fifty dollars ($250.00) for scratching the
horse “Award Nominated” from the first race on March 22, 2025 after having run the horse
the night before. Due to mitigating circumstances Mr. Farrior received a lesser fine than
would normally be assessed.
[COMAR 09.10.01.45 H]