Posts Tagged ‘john wayne’
Tuesday, July 14th, 2009
By Ray Paulick
Citing an unusual number of horses that stumbled at the start of their races, the Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission recently approved an emergency regulation regarding toe grabs on front shoes, increasing the maximum allowed in dirt races from two to four millimeters. The adoption of rules earlier this year (by the Delaware commission and most other racing commissions or by racetracks in the form of house rules) barring front toe grabs that exceed two millimeters was in line with model rules of the Association of Racing Commissioners International, eligibility guidelines for graded stakes from the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association’s American Graded Stakes Committee, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association’s Safety and Integrity Alliance Code of Standards, and the recommendations of the Jockey Club Safety Committee on Shoes and Hoof Care.
Delaware Park received a safety accreditation in June from the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance. It’s not known how the Delaware Racing Commission rule change affects that status.
The policy change, adopted June 23 and effective the following day, may not affect graded stakes at Delaware Park. According to John Wayne, the racing commission’s executive director, the policy change will not apply to American Graded Stakes. The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, which oversees the American Graded Stakes program, set two new conditions for races to receive a grade in 2009: a ban on anabolic steroids and on front toe grabs exceeding two millimeters.
The regulations were based on studies tying increased incidence of catastrophic breakdowns and injuries to toe grabs. WinStar Farm co-owner Bill Casner, former chairman of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, presented some of those statistics during a talk at the 2008 Jockey Club Round Table in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. , in which he said horses and jockeys may be at higher risk when front toe grabs were worn.
However, the Delaware commission reversed the regulation for the same reason. “The commission felt that the present regulations were putting jockeys in unnecessary danger,” said Wayne, who added that both the Delaware Jockeys Association and Jockeys’ Guild supported the change from two millimeters to four.
Immediately after the regulations on toe grabs went into effect in April, stewards at Delaware Park noticed an increase in the number of horses stumbling coming out of the starting gate and began to track the statistics at Wayne’s request. “They noticed two, three or four horses a day were stumbling, and riders were coming off horses." Wayne also said track maintenance crews and the starting gate crew tried different things to alleviate the increase in stumbles at the start, to no avail.
"Since we made the change (to four millimeters) last month," Wayne said, "the number of horses stumbling has fallen off the charts.” (Click here to see their report.)
The commission notified both the NTRA and Jockey Club of the change. TOBA officials contacted the commission on Monday seeking clarification.
“We didn’t make this decision hastily,” Wayne added.
Copyright © 2009, The Paulick Report
Savvy businesses recognize value. Advertise in the Paulick Report.
Support the Paulick Report. Make a donation today.
Sign up for our Email Flashes to get the latest news, analysis and commentary from Ray Paulick
Tags: american graded stakes, Bill Casner, delaware park, delaware racing commission, jockey club safety committee, john wayne, National Thoroughbred Racing Association, NTRA, ntra safety and integrity alliance, Paulick Report, Ray Paulick, safety and integrity alliance code of standards, Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, TOBA, toe grabs
Posted in Horse Welfare, Industry Reform, Jockeys, National Thoroughbred Racing Association, TOBA, racing injuries | 16 Comments »
Friday, May 1st, 2009
By Ray Paulick
Officials in Delaware have ordered two horses owned by the Paragallo family be scratched from races at Delaware Park on Monday. The horses, Another Hades and Pink Viper, were entered the name of Nob Hill Stable after formerly racing for Paraneck Stable, the operation that is listed as being owned by Kristin and Jennifer Paragallo, daughter of Ernie Paragallo.
Paragallo was recently charged on 22 criminal counts of animal cruelty at his Center Brook Farm in upstate New York. As a result of the case, in which scores of horses were found malnourished, the New York State Racing and Wagering Board launched an investigation into the Paragallo family and the roles of the father and the two daughters in Paraneck. Paragallo had his owner’s license revoked in 2005 for financial irresponsibility, but he was allowed to be licensed as authorized agent for the stable. The New York Racing Association banned Paraneck horses from running at its tracks until a new authorized agent is approved, one who is not related to the Paragallos and has not worked prevoiusly for the operation. The Paulick Report reported Friday that Melville, N.Y., attorney Robert Savitsky has applied for a license as authorized agent to the newly formed Nob Hill Stable, but that application has not been approved by the SRWB.
Delaware Racing Commission executive director John Wayne confirmed the scratch of the two horses from Monday’s racing program but could not comment because the matter was still under review.
Copyright © 2009, The Paulick Report
Support the Paulick Report. Make a donation today.
Visit the Paulick Report for all the latest news throughout the racing world.
Sign up for our Email Flashes to get the latest news, analysis and commentary from Ray Paulick
Tags: animal cruelty, another hades, center brook farm, delaware park, delaware racing commission, ernie paragallo, Horse Racing, jennifer paragallo, john wayne, kristin paragallo, nob hill stable, paragallo, paraneck, Paulick Report, pink viper, Ray Paulick
Posted in Horse Welfare, Regulatory Issues, ernie paragallo | 16 Comments »
Thursday, April 30th, 2009
By Ray Paulick
UPDATED FRIDAY, 3 P.M.
The two horses mentioned in the story below have been scratched. Click here for details.
Two horses that previously raced for the Paraneck Stable managed by Ernie Paragallo, who was recently charged with 22 criminal counts of animal cruelty at his Center Brook Farm in upstate New York, have been entered to race at Delaware Park on Monday under the name Nob Hill Stable.
Paragallo and Paraneck Stable are being investigated by the New York State Racing and Wagering Board (SRWB) and its horses are banned from racing at New York Racing Association tracks until a new authorized agent is named to run the stable. Paraneck is listed with the SRWB as being owned by Jennifer and Kristin Paragallo, Ernie Paragallo’s daughters. Paragallo had his owner’s license revoked by the SRWB in 2005 because of financial irresponsibility but he was allowed to retain a license as authorized agent to the stable. NYRA is insisting Paraneck retain a new agent who is not related to the Paragallos in any way or has been an employee of the operation. Paraneck has been a leading owner at New York tracks for more than a decade.
The Paulick Report has learned that Robert Savitsky, a Melville, N.Y., attorney, has applied with the SRWB to be the authorized agent for Nob Hill Stable.
John Wayne, executive director of the Delaware Racing Commission, said there is “100% reciprocity” in Delaware regarding the New York ban on Paraneck horses and said his office is currently investigating whether or not NYRA’s requirements have been met.
Wayne said he began looking into the matter Wednesday when he first saw the entries for Monday’s racing program at Delaware Park. The Nob Hill Stable name listed as owner of the two horses, Another Hades and Pink Viper, is spelled differently than the Knob Hill Stable founded by the late Steve Stavro of Canada. Kristin and Jennifer Paragallo are listed as owners of Nob Hill Stable. Paraneck’s private trainer, John P. Campo Jr., is listed as trainer. (Note: Daily Racing Form past performances spell the owner’s name Knob Hill Stable.)
“Before anyone would be permitted to race horses whose connections have had a previous problem," Wayne said, "the owner and trainer in their application would have to file a sworn statement saying that they have no connection with the former connections of the horse. Those statements have to be notarized and signed under a threat of perjury. Once that affidavit comes back to me, I’ll review it and have it looked at by an investigator.”
Wayne said it was his understanding that no new authorized agent has been approved for Paraneck in New York. “As far as I know, there’s an application filed with the (New York) wagering board and I don’t think that process has been completed.”
"An application has been filed which has not been acted on," SRWB spokesman Joseph Mahoney said, though he would not confirm Savitsky as the applicant. "It is being reviewed. We have a subpoena out for certain records involving the financial affairs of Mr. Paragallo, Center Brook Farm, and Paraneck Stable, trying to find out if he was the actual owner of the horses when he was only licensed as an authorized agent. We are also looking at questions involving what the daughters’ role has been with Paraneck. It is an intensive investigation. But we have certainly not acted on the application or approved it."
Copyright © 2009, The Paulick Report
Support the Paulick Report. Make a donation today.
Visit the Paulick Report for all the latest news throughout the racing world.
Sign up for our Email Flashes to get the latest news, analysis and commentary from Ray Paulick
Tags: another hades, center brook farm, delaware park, delaware racing commission, ernie paragallo, jennifer paragallo, john campo, john wayne, knob hill stable, kristin paragallo, New York Racing Association, new york state racing and wagering board, nob hill stable, nyra, paraneck stable, pink viper, swrb
Posted in Horse Welfare, Regulatory Issues | 27 Comments »
Wednesday, November 5th, 2008
By Ray Paulick
The Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission has upheld a stewards ruling against trainer Larry Jones involving a test for a higher than permitted level of the bronchodilator Clenbuterol in Two Bucks Stable’s Stones River, who won a June 8 allowance race at Delaware Park.
The stewards have suspended Jones seven days, fined him $500 and ordered the purse money won by Stones River to be redistributed. The ruling was the first of any kind against Jones, who has trained horses for 25 years.
The hearing was conducted on Monday, and both Jones and Two Bucks owner Jim Squires appeared. Jones was represented by attorney Brent Caldwell, according to John Wayne, executive director of the commission. “The commissioners were very impressed and complimentary of Caldwell’s defense,” Wayne said. Nevertheless, the five commissioners voted unanimously in public deliberations to uphold the ruling, which was more lenient than the guidelines established by the Association of Racing Commissioners International. Those guidelines call for a suspension of 60 days to six months and up to a $1,500 fine. Clenbuterol is classified as a Class 3 drug by RCI.
"The commissioners felt that the stewards’ ruling fit the criteria as a first-time offense ever for Mr. Jones," Wayne said.
Wayne said the final decision and order prepared by the commission’s deputy attorney general will be forthcoming. “At that point,” he said, “Mr. Jones has the option to appeal the commission’s decision to Superior Court if he so desires.”
Copyright © 2008, The Paulick Report
Visit the Paulick Report for all the latest news throughout the racing world.
Sign up for our Email Flashes to get the latest news, analysis and commentary from Ray Paulick
Tags: association of racing commissioners international, brent caldwell, clenbuterol, delaware thoroughbred racing commission, jim squires, john wayne, larry jones, RCI, stones river, two bucks stable
Posted in Medication, Regulatory Issues | Comments Off
Thursday, September 18th, 2008
By Ray Paulick
Stewards at Delaware Park have suspended trainer Larry Jones for seven days, fined him $500 and ordered a purse redistribution following a hearing on Tuesday concerning the discovery of a higher than permitted level of Clenbuterol in a post-race test for Two Bucks Stable’s Stones River, who won a June 8 allowance race at Delaware Park.
John Wayne, executive director of the Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission, told the Paulick Report that Jones indicated he would appeal the ruling, which was handed down on Wednesday. The commission is expected to hear the appeal on Oct. 21. Jones was granted a stay until that time.
The ruling against Jones was the first of any kind during the trainer’s 25-year career, according to the data base at the Association of Racing Commissioners International.
The penalties assessed Jones are significantly lower than the model rules recommended last month by RCI, which Wayne said call for a suspension of 60 days to six months and up to a $1,500 fine for Clenbuterol, a Class 3 drug according to RCI guidelines. The seven-day suspension and $500 fine is in line with other first-offense Clenbuterol rulings in the Mid-Atlantic reguib, according to Wayne.
“The testimony given would be taken into consideration by the stewards,” said Wayne, who did not attend the hearing. Wayne said mitigating circumstances also may be taken into consideration by stewards when ruling on medication violations.
The Stones River case gained national attention when Jim Squires, co-owner with wife Mary Anne of Two Bucks Stable, issued a statement after being notified of the positive test, saying that it was a “highly suspicious” case and suggested it may have involved sabotage of the horse or drug test. Squires was notified of the result two days before a Congressional hearing examining drugs and welfare issues related to Thoroughbreds; a one-time member of the Kentucky Racing Commission, Squires has been an outspoken critic of the drugging of horses. An author and former editor of the Chicago Tribune, he also wrote a blog for the New York Times during this year’s Triple Crown in which he called for a ban on anabolic steroids.
Squires also wrote a New York Times commentary citing the need for widespread industry reforms in the wake of the death on national television of the Larry Jones-trained filly, Eight Belles, after she finished second to Big Brown in the Kentucky Derby. No illegal drugs or anabolic steroids were found in the filly’s system during post-mortem testing.
“That a Two Bucks Stable horse in his care has become the first drug positive in his career in the highly charged atmosphere during the week of a congressional investigation focusing on drugs and safety in horse racing is highly suspicious,” Squires said in the written statement in June . “It reeks of a deliberate effort to impugn our credibility on the subject of drugs and damage the reputation of a highly successful trainer who has been unfairly and mistakenly blamed by a few critics outside the industry for the death of Eight Belles. … Larry Jones and I have both been prominent in the media voicing our support for the banning of steroids in the Thoroughbred industry and of more vigorous, uniform regulation of therapeutic drugs such as Clenbuterol, which can have steroidal effects.
“This test result on Stones River appears to be another miscarriage of justice in the offing, which we plan to challenge in every legal way possible,” the statement continued. “Holding Jones responsible for something beyond his control only aids and abets criminal behavior by people intent on hurting a competitor in particular or our industry in general. It will demonstrate once again how easy it is in Thoroughbred racing to impact a trainer’s livelihood and discredit both a horse and its owners.
“We have faith in the integrity of Delaware racing authorities and their interest in fair treatment. But we also are aware how staff and budget resources limit the ability of regulators to conduct thorough, successful criminal investigations. If this were a case of cheating in NASCAR or the NFL, there would be a commissioner with full authority and investigative expertise to step in and get to the bottom of it. In view of the highly charged public atmosphere surrounding the credibility of racing, the full resources of the Jockey Club, the NTRA, Breeders’ Cup and the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association should be offered to the Delaware Racing Commission and the Department of Agriculture to assure a fair and credible resolution of this matter. If necessary, the entire purse from the race should be used to supplement required resources. As an owner, Two Bucks Stable is far more interested in the credibility of our horse, our trainer and our industry than we are the money.”
Copyright © 2008, The Paulick Report
Visit the Paulick Report for all the latest news throughout the racing world.
Sign up for our Email Flashes to get the latest news, analysis and commentary from Ray Paulick
Tags: association of racing commissioners international, clenbuterol, Congressional Hearing, delaware park, delaware thoroughbred racing commission, eight belles, Horse Racing, jim squires, john wayne, larry jones, Medication, model rules, Paulick Report, Ray Paulick, RCI, stones river, trainer insurer rule, two bucks, two bucks stable
Posted in Congressional Hearing, Horse Welfare, Industry Reform, Medication, People, Regulatory Issues | 6 Comments »
|
|
