By Bill Finley
The Maryland Jockey Club's racing office has been told by upper management to no longer accept entries from trainer Marcus Vitali pending further investigation into medication violations he accrued in Florida and the status of his license there.
Vitali's situation came to light in a story that appeared earlier this week in the Paulick Report. Attributing the statistics to the website MyFloridaLicense.com, Paulick wrote that Vitali has had 24 medication violations in Florida since 2011, including two thus far this year. According to Paulick, Vitali avoided suspension in Florida by voluntarily relinquishing his license in that state.
By doing so, he was not sanctioned by Florida regulators who cannot suspend or fine an unlicensed trainer. With no official recent penalties on Vitali's record, the Maryland Racing Commission may not have any legal grounds to also suspend him.
After relinquishing his Florida license, Vitali moved his operation to Maryland. It looks like he is now going to have to find a new place to race as he, effectively, cannot run any horses at Laurel, Pimlico or any other track owned by The Stronach Group.
When reached yesterday by the TDN for comment, Vitali said he had heard nothing about being denied the right to enter at the Maryland tracks and therefore had no comment.
Vitali's situation could take an immediate turn for the better if he is allowed to race at Monmouth Park, which opens May 14. He was the third leading trainer there last year with 24 wins from 102 starters. He trailed only Jorge Navarro and Jamie Ness in the standings. Jason Servis was fourth.
With 25 winners, Vitali finished third at the recently concluded championship meet at Gulfstream. Like Laurel and Pimlico, Gulfstream is owned by the Stronach Group.
Prior to the Paulick Report story, Vitali had already entered horses at Laurel through Sunday's card and those horses will be permitted to race.
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