Trainer Denied Stay Of 60-Day Horse Cruelty Suspension In Delaware

Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission executive director Sarah Crane told bloodhorse.com Tuesday that she has denied a stay of trainer Alison Escobar's 60-day suspension for horse cruelty, as doing so would “negatively affect the public perception and integrity of racing.”

Escobar is appealing the sanctions, and will have a hearing on Sept. 13. His suspension will run from Aug. 19 through Oct. 17.

Escobar had filed both an appeal and request for stay of suspension on Aug. 15 after Delaware stewards issued him a 60-day penalty. The suspension was issued because stewards say Escobar kept a horse in training on a tendon injury for months. Stewards also imposed a $2,500 fine against Escobar and required that he pass Delaware's trainer's test before his license may be reinstated.

The suspension deals with the story of Ashiham, first scratched from a race at Tampa Bay Downs on April 21 due to heat and swelling in his left front flexor tendon, and caught continuing training while lame on the same leg at Palm Meadows on June 9 and at Delaware Park on Aug. 3.

In testimony before the stewards, Escobar stated the horse had never been seen by a veterinarian in Delaware – and as of the stewards' hearing on Aug. 11, more than a week after being ordered to seek an ultrasound, the horse had still not been seen by a private vet.

Speaking to bloodhorse.com through Raphy Suarez, a longtime client, Suarez said Ashiham has been retired and will stand stud in Florida next year.

“The horse had a treatable injury,” Suarez said. “He knows how to work with horses with problems and win with them. With this horse it didn't work out.

“He made a misjudgment and the horse got hurt, but to go from that to say animal cruelty is a huge step. He cares about his horses.”

Read more at bloodhorse.com.