By T. D. Thornton
Filing health certificates for three Aqueduct-bound horses that he didn't actually examine will cost a New York veterinarian $1,500 and a 30-day suspension, the New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC) ruled Dec. 26.
According to the NYSGC, on Oct. 31, Camilo B. Sierra, DVM, submitted health certificates to Aqueduct stable security for the unraced 2-year-olds New York Bourbon (Stay Thirsty) and Too Much Malibu (Malibu Moon), plus the 0-for-12 maiden 3-year-old Sky Ace (Sky Mesa), without having performed the required examinations. By waiving his right to appeal the penalty and pending no future infractions, the NYSGC will slice 10 days off of Sierra's suspension, which will run Dec. 27-Jan. 15.
The New York State Board for Veterinary Medicine database lists Sierra as a Northport, NY-based vet who has been licensed by the state since 1992 with no state sanctions listed against him dating to the database's creation in 1994.
However, the separate NYSGC database shows Sierra has been penalized by state racing authorities on seven other occasions since 1993 for violating various procedural, record-keeping, and medication-related rules at Aqueduct, Belmont Park, and Monticello Raceway.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
