"Effective immediately, Tampa Bay Downs has refused Jorge G. Bracho, Derek C. Bell, Luis A. Castillo, Jose H. Delgado, Terry D. Houghton, Joseph C. Judice, and Richard A. Valdes access to the racetrack for an indefinite period of time based on its rights as a private property owner," said Peter Berube, vice president and general manager of the Tampa track on Tuesday. "This action is being taken as a result of an ongoing investigation being conducted by the Thoroughbred Racing Protective Bureau. Tampa Bay Downs is fully cooperating with this investigation and has no further comment on the matter at this time."

The Tampa situation comes three days after Calder Race Course banned former leading rider Rene Douglas without publicly giving a reason. Like Tampa Bay Downs, Calder also invoked its rights as a private property owner. Because no racing officials are publicly commenting on the cases, it is not known if there is a connection.

The TRPB is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Thoroughbred Racing Associations of North America and operates as a national investigative agency. Its mandate is to expose and investigate all activity prejudicial to horse racing and to maintain public confidence in the sport.

Frank Fabian, president of the TRPB, issued a prepared statement on Tuesday and declined all further comment.

"Consistent with its longstanding policy, TRPB does not comment on ongoing investigations," said Fabian, a 20-year-veteran of the Federal Bureau of Investigations.

Houghton won back-to-back rider titles at Tampa Bay Downs at the 1998-'99 and '99-2000 meetings. Judice was Tampa's leading rider in 2002-'03, and Bell was top jockey in 2000-'01.

Douglas was Calder's leading rider in 1993. None of the jockeys involved could be immediately reached for comment.—Pete Denk