In a series of rulings published Jan. 21 on the Association of Racing Commissioners International website, New Jersey stewards fined and/or suspended numerous trainers for infractions during last year's Monmouth Park meeting.
The stiffest penalty was issued to trainer Marvin Richards, who stewards suspended for 365 days from May 7, 2022, through May 6, 2023, after his trainee Awesomenewyear tested positive for prohibited substances oxazepam and ibuprofen in the sixth race Sept. 3 at Monmouth Park. He was also fined $5,000.
Stewards disqualified Superstars Stables' Awesomenewyear from a first-place finish and ordered the purse of the race redistributed.
In other action, trainers Bonnie Lucas and Wayne Potts were each handed 30-day suspensions and $1,000 fines, both for conduct detrimental to racing. Their suspensions are scheduled May 7-June 5.
Further rulings noted a $1,000 fine to trainer Peter Walder after tests showed the presence of aminocaproic acid (Amicar) in Briella after a first-place finish Sept. 4 in the seventh race, and a $500 fine to trainer Jose D'Angelo after Avenida Manana showed the presence of 5-hydroxydantrolene Sept. 18 after the seventh race. The latter also received a 15-day suspension.
P and L Thoroughbred Racing and Walder Racing's Briella and ProRacing Stable's Avenida Manana were declared disqualified, the former from first and the latter from first.
In a ruling that followed Jan. 22, D'Angelo received a second 15-day suspension and $500 fine after Grupo 7C Racing Stable's Franco's Team tested positive for 5-hydroxydantrolene after the third race Sept. 24. That horse also was disqualified.
The ARCI website did not state if any of the rulings had been appealed.
