By J.N. Campbell
In the midst of what is an ongoing investigation at Penn National Race Course, private veterinarian Dr. Allen Post Bonnell, and three trainers, Kimberly A. Graci, Marlin Arthur “Joe” Miller and Michael S. Zalalas, were summarily suspended by the Pennsylvania State Horse Racing Commission (PSHRC) this week according to rulings by the board of stewards posted on the Commission's portal.
After appearing before the board Nov. 5, Dr. Allen Bonnell was suspended after being found under section 185.2 to have engaged in inappropriate, illegal or unethical conduct at Penn National which violates the Commission's rules and regulations of racing. Ruling No. 24128PN goes on to state that Bonnell is denied access to not only to the track, but any state racing facility under the jurisdiction of the PSHRC.
The state's website also lists the three trainers based at Penn who were summarily suspended under Section 185.2 and are barred from the grounds of any Pennsylvania-controlled racing site by the board of stewards.
Kim Graci (Ruling No. 24122PN), who also holds an owner's license, on the advice of her attorney waived her right to a hearing before the board Oct. 29, and based on Ruling No. 24120PN, she was suspended on that date. According to Equibase, the trainer won with Tiz Speedy (Tiznow) at Penn Oct. 24, but three of her horses were scratched by the stewards Oct. 31.
Marlin Miller (Ruling No. 24126PN) was suspended as of Nov. 1 and according to the portal was scheduled to have a hearing on Tuesday, Nov. 5. He last entered 5-year-old mare Let's Go Mo (Super Saver) at the track Oct. 25 and had a horse scratched Oct. 30.
Finally, Michael Zalalas was summarily suspended Nov. 6 (Ruling No. 24130PN) and is not allowed to enter the track until his hearing, which is scheduled for Nov. 12 at 10:00 a.m. ET.
Zalalas had three horses entered in races at Penn National on Wednesday, Nov. 6, but all were scratched by the stewards. They included in race three My Redemption (Milwaukee Brew), in race four Forever Fifi (Cuba) and in race seven Ensuing Grace (Well Spelled).
The trainer has entered in claimers 7-year-old mare Stormy Spell (Well Spelled) in race six at Penn on Friday, Nov. 8, and A T M Awesome (Awesome of Course) on Wednesday, Nov. 13.
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