Four in horse-race case waive right to hearing

Staff report

AUSTINTOWN

The four people involved in a horse-racing incident at Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course have waived their right to a hearing scheduled for today.

During the ninth race on Nov. 4 at Hollywood Gaming, a female horse named Ruby Queen was entered. But a male horse named Leathers Slappin’ was actually the horse that raced in her place and won.

The winning horse’s markings, sex and lip tattoo differed from those of the horse entered.

“As of this date, all four licensees have submitted in writing that they have waived their right to a stewards’ hearing,” said Bill Crawford, Ohio State Racing Commission director.

Those four licensees are: Thomas M. Clark, the horse identifier; Shane Spiess, a trainer; Michael Micallef, a groomer; and Francisco C. Avina, a substitute trainer.

Three stewards, or judges, were to listen to what the Ohio State Racing Commission’s staff found in their investigation and possibly make a decision during an open hearing to issue penalties to those involved.

Now, the stewards will convene to discuss information provided by the commission investigation, Crawford said in an email statement.

“The stewards will then make a determination and issue rulings if appropriate,” Crawford said. “If a ruling is issued, the licensee has 48 hours to appeal once notified. If a licensee appeals the ruling of the steward, then an administrative hearing will take place.”

Penn National Gaming, the company that operates Hollywood Gaming at 655 N. Canfield Niles Road, did its own internal investigation.

The horse checker, whose job is to check the lip tattoo of every horse before each race to make sure it matches the one entered, was suspended shortly after the incident pending the outcome of the hearing.

“Our internal inquiry is complete, but we’ll wait until the stewards issue their report to comment,” said Bob Tenenbaum, Penn spokesman.