By Bill Finley
Parx-based trainers Miguel Penaloza and Cesareo Marquez and jockey Edwin Rivera have been summarily suspended by the Pennsylvania Racing Commission after recent investigations found the three to be in possession of contraband. The trainers were found to be in possession of hypodermic needles, syringes and injectable substances, while Rivera was caught with an electrical device.
According to a press release from the Organization of Racing Investigators, investigators from multiple jurisdictions assembled the week of Sept. 19 and conducted barn searches and stopped cars at the backstretch gates at all three of Pennsylvania's thoroughbred tracks. The effort was led by Jason Klouser, director of enforcement, Pennsylvania State Horse Racing Commission. The investigators came from Pennsylvania, Texas, California, Arizona, Florida and Kentucky.
The search at Parx that caught the three individuals took place on Sept. 23, the day before the running of the GI Pennsylvania Derby. The Organization of Racing Investigators dubbed the team sent to Parx the “Pennsylvania Derby Racing Integrity Team.”
“By establishing a strong presence, the Racing Integrity Teams at each site protected Thoroughbreds, ensuring that equine safety and integrity were the top priorities,” the press release read. “The investigations at Parx produced some important results, after sweeps at the gate and stable areas.”
According to the ruling posted on the Pennsylvania Racing Commission's website, a search of Penaloza's barn and tack room uncovered two loaded syringes and a needle. Under Pennsylvania rules, no person, except a commission veterinarian, racetrack veterinarian or veterinarian licensed by the commission, may possess or use a hypodermic needle, hypodermic syringe capable of accepting a needle and injectable substances of any kind, type or description on the licensed racetrack grounds, in that person's custody, control or possession.
Penaloza has been training since 2015 and has 172 winners from 1,360 starters for a winning rate of 13%. He is 15-for-107 on the year at Parx. He had a positive for dexamethosone during the 2021 Monmouth meet and received a 15-day suspension. That same year he had a positive for Methocarbamol at Parx and was fined $1,000.
According to the ruling, Marquez was found to be in possession of multiple loaded needles and syringes. Represented by attorney Alan Pincus, Marquez appeared at a hearing before the board of stewards on Sept. 26, where the ruling was affirmed.
Marquez is in his first year of training and is 3-for-73 on the year for a winning rate of 4%.
According to the commission's ruling, after his car was stopped at the backstretch gate, Rivera was found to be in possession of two electrical devices. A hearing for Rivera was held Sept. 26, but, according to the press release, he refused to testify. The press release also noted that under Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority regulations a jockey found with an electrical device faces a ban of up to 10 years.
Rivera has been riding since 2007 and has 847 career winners. He has 42 winners on the year at Parx and is in tenth place in the standings.
According to its website, the Organization of Racing Investigators, Inc. is “comprised of professionals responsible for investigations associated with professional horse racing” and its members “are employed by government, police, and regulatory entities as well as private security firms and racetracks.” The description on the website continues: “ORI members actively investigate race fixing, horse doping, animal abuse, drug abuse, money laundering, cyber crime, fraud, conspiracy, and a host of other infractions of the laws and rules that govern professional horse racing and pari-mutuel activity. ORI members assist with the most expansive and aggressive drug testing program in professional sports, conduct background investigations, and cooperate with law enforcement agencies at all levels of government.”
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