By: Frank Angst
The Pennsylvania State Horse Racing Commission on July 27 fined trainer Ramon Preciado and suspended him from the front side for his behavior following a June 2015 race at Parx Racing and his behavior at a July 2015 hearing before the stewards.
The sanctions are not a full suspension; they deny Preciado access to the front side at Parx for a month beginning Sept. 3. The commission reached its decision following an appeal by Preciado to the full commission.
In March and April of this year Preciado was accused of six clenbuterol positives at Parx. He continued to race under a temporary restraining order and ranks second this year at the track in wins with 34 and his horses have earned more than $1.2 million through July 29.
The sanctions date back to Preciado’s actions following the fifth race June 9, 2015 at Parx after a regulatory veterinarian determined that Preciado-trained Fantastic Voyage was lame following her runner-up finish as the 3-2 favorite in the one-mile claiming race. The determination by racing commission veterinarian Shari Silverman would move Fantastic Voyage to the vet list.
As she pulled out her radio to call an outrider, Silverman saw outrider Sherry Harrington already was pursuing the Fantastic Voyage. The stewards determined that Preciado started yelling at Harrington, in front of several members of the public; and that he would vocally argue with Silverman after she informed him that his horse was “head-nodding lame.”
The stewards determined that Preciado continued the argument, saying Silverman was not doing her job and there was nothing wrong with the horse. Silverman contended the horse was “head-nodding lame.” The stewards noted that Preciado did not use vulgar language but did raise his voice in front of spectators, trainers, grooms, and other officials.
At a July 3, 2015 hearing before the stewards, Preciado showed up 20 minutes late and said the stewards are all prejudiced.
