By Bill Finley
Trainer Juan Vazquez has been granted a stay of a recent suspension handed down by the Pennsylvania Horse Racing Commission, which will allow him to continue to race at the NYRA tracks for the time being. He has three horses entered on Thursday's card at Aqueduct.
However, NYRA issued a statement Saturday in which it said it will consider filing charges against Vazquez, which could lead to his being banned.
Vazquez received two consecutive 15-day suspensions after two of his horses tested positive for the dewormer levamisole in races at Parx. One, Hollywood Talent (Talent Search), tested positive after winning the GIII Turf Monster S. at odds of 108-1.
Because NYRA is affiliated with the state of New York, a court ruled in the Bob Baffert matter that it cannot ban trainers without adequate due process. Since the court decision, it has gone ahead with a hearing for Baffert and another, for Marcus Vitali, is scheduled for next month.
“Since Juan Vazquez was granted a stay of the Pennsylvania suspension, he retains his license to participate in New York,” the statement read. “In the July decision, and in subsequent rulings, the court was clear that NYRA is required to provide adequate due process prior to revoking privileges to participate at NYRA tracks. To refuse entries or prohibit Mr. Vazquez from accessing the property, for example, are actions that NYRA could take against a licensed trainer only after he is provided satisfactory due process. That process is deliberative and not immediate, which is why Juan Vazquez is permitted to participate at NYRA while he appeals his suspension in Pennsylvania. Any suspension handed down in Pennsylvania will be reciprocally implemented in New York and Vazquez will be suspended from participating in all racing activities at NYRA tracks for the duration of the suspension. NYRA is gathering information that could inform a statement of charges and subsequent hearing, should that be required.”
Vazquez has numerous suspensions and violations on his record. In one ruling, issued in 2017 in Pennsylvania, it was noted that Vazquez had eight drug positives during a 23-month period.
Vazquez has maintained a stable at Parx and in New York this year. He is just 2-for-22 (9%) at Parx while going 7-for-30 (23%) at the Big A.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
