Page 225 - October 2023

witnessed Morales injecting 2-year-old Quarter Horse filly Stoli Best Card RME with a needle and syringe containing an unknown medication on race day Aug. 18. The horse was scratched from the race after Lowe witnessed the injection. Morales and Soto are scheduled for separate hearings on Aug. 27. Soto was suspended for 1-year after two horses he trained tested positive for drugs in 2015 at Sunland Park, marking his fourth drug violation within a year.
Trainer Juan M. Gonzalez Summarily Suspended
According to the Paulick Report, trainer Juan M. Gonzalez has been summarily suspended by
the New Mexico Racing Commission (NMRC) for “conduct detrimental to racing.” The Association
of Racing Commissioners International website shows that a needle and syringe were found in the pocket of a jacket hanging in his barn on Aug. 25. Gonzalez is excluded from the grounds under the jurisdiction of the NMRC pending the outcome of a hearing on Sept. 2 at Ruidoso Downs. He is among the top 20 all-time trainers by earnings of over $18.1 million. Gonzalez
previously served a six-month suspension in 2015 for a finding of the anabolic steroid Trenbolone, and a six-month suspension in 2014 for a finding of Clenbuterol.
New Policy at Albuquerque
The Albuquerque meet began Sept. 1, and the track released the following statement: The Downs at Albuquerque offers a cash reward up to $5,000 for confidential information provided to the Downs’ racing management that leads
to the discovery of illegal or illicit substances used on horses or present on its premises. Each reward will be paid to the first person
providing the information and verified that the tip/information has led to the discovery of illegal substances or direct proof that an illegal substance(s) was used on a horse. Any payment hereunder will be confidential. Be advised that
NEWS BRIEFS
Retama Park Declares Meet Leaders
Retama Park began their 23-day meet on June 29 and ended on Sept. 2. The Texas track closed their meet with six stakes events in the Silver Eagle and La Villita stakes on Sept. 1, and King William, Tower of the Americas, Selma, and San Marcos stakes on Sept. 2. Owner John Boegner scored the Leading Owner title with six wins. “I had a fairly slow start in Houston; the Retama meet was much better,” said Boegner. Trainer Juan Diaz Jr. scored a consecutive Leading Trainer of the Meet title, finishing with 15 wins and $808,434 in money earnings. With his success this year at Sam Houston, Louisiana Downs and Remington Park, Diaz is the top ranked Quarter Horse trainer in the country by wins (69) and third in purses ($2,397,507). “All of my owners deserve a trophy,” said Diaz. Jockey Ali Rivera, 21, captured his first Leading Rider title at Retama Park with 33 wins. “I want to thank all the owners and trainers for their faith in me,” said Rivera. “We had a really good meeting with the Texas Racing Commission in Austin outlining our plans for the future improvements to Retama Park,” said Vice President and General Manager of Texas Racing Operations for PENN Entertainment Bryan Pettigrew. “Several horsemen have said that is the best racing surface in 20 years. We are heading in the right direction and will continue our efforts.”
Delta Downs Declares Meet Leaders
Delta Downs, which began their 46-day Quarter Horse meet on April 28 and followed that up with 15 additional extra days from the Fair Grounds Race Course ending on Sept. 2, declared their 2023 meet leaders. The Fair Grounds dates were transferred to Delta Downs. The leading owner was Rogelio Marquez, Jr. with four winners and earnings of $93,411, which ranked second to Brian L. Gunders’ $204,247. Marquez’s also won the leading owner title during the regular season this year. The leading trainer was Guillermo Martinez with 13 wins during the regular meet which ended on
July 15. Starters for Martinez earned $331,603, leading all trainers in earnings as well. The leading jockey was Arturo Alvarez, earning his first leading rider title at Delta Downs with 15 winners and earnings of $281,626, which was second to Ubaldo Luna’s $314,654.
Leading owner Rogelio Marquez, Jr. Leading trainer Guillermo Martinez Leading jockey Arturo Alvarez
© Coady Photography
© Coady Photography
© Coady Photography
SPEEDHORSE October 2023 223