Falsified Delaware Workout Leads To $2,000 Fine

The stewards at Delaware Park have fined trainer Don Bryant, Jr. $2,000 for a series of “not conducting business in a proper manner” infractions that started with the falsification of a workout for an 0-for-12 maiden-claiming gelding he reportedly owns that hadn't raced in nearly a year.

According to the June 15 ruling, the stewards “received evidence that Trainer Bryant falsified a workout” for the 4-year-old gelding Dondada (Klimt) on May 10, 2023, at Delaware Park.

Dondada had not started since running second at Delaware on June 30, 2022.

The ruling further stated that, “Bryant did not have Dondada in his charge at the time horse was entered on June 3, 2023,” and that one week later, on June 10, “Bryant provided a false reason to the Stewards for a scratch [for] Dondada.”

A voicemail message left with the Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission seeking details about the case and whether Bryant has appealed his penalty did not result in a return call prior to deadline for this story.

Bryant, 35, has trained since 2009 according to Equibase, compiling a 10-for-174 lifetime record. This year his mark is 1-for-14 with three horses who have raced at Parx and Delaware.

Beyond a $100 fine for necessitating a late scratch at Mountaineer Park in 2021, Bryant's rulings record in the database at thoroughbredrulings.com maintained by The Jockey Club shows no other infractions.