NEWS
Charles Town jockeys will ride until case is heard
Posted: Thursday, April 16, 2009 3:59 PM
A West Virginia judge has issued a temporary restraining order that will allow seven Charles Town Races jockeys accused of riding overweight to continue to compete.
Charles Town stewards had issued a 30-day suspension that was scheduled to begin today for each of the seven riders but Judge L.D. Egnor of Kanawha County Circuit Court issued the restraining order until the case is properly adjudicated.
The stewards suspended riders Larry Reynolds, Anthony Mawing, Alexis Rios-Conde, Jesus Sanchez, Dale Whittaker, Luis Perez, and Tony Maragh and fined each of them $1,000. The stewards also fined clerk of scales Michael Garrison $1,000 and suspended him indefinitely.
The Jockeys’ Guild filed a motion for the restraining order on April 14 and hired the law firm of Bailey and Glasser to represent the riders. The Guild said both the accusations of the riders intentionally misrepresenting their weights and stewards’ hearing were unfair.
In issuing the restraining order, the court found problems with the manner riders were informed of the accusations and in the manner the stewards’ hearing was conducted.
“The Guild is committed to supporting its members when they are unfairly accused of violating the rules of racing or not given their proper due process to present their defense,” said Terry Meyocks, national manager of the Jockeys’ Guild. “We are thankful that Judge Egnor confirmed the importance of due process rights before any discipline is handed out.”
