Stewards Delay Any Action in Sciacca Case

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No action will be taken against the three individuals arrested last week for allegedly administering a milkshake at Belmont Park until their criminal cases are completed, track stewards told the New York Racing and Wagering Board Tuesday.

The three men -- Paul Barone, an assistant trainer for Gary Sciacca, barn foreman Oscar DeLeon, and veterinarian Dr. James McGuire -- were arrested last week by Nassau County police and later released on bail. An arraignment is scheduled for July 17.

Sciacca told Daily Racing Form Tuesday the arrest resulted from an honest mistake June 28. A New York Racing Association investigator notified police he witnessed the three defendants administering a milkshake, a combination of bicarbonate soda and sugar, to Storm River Kelly, who was entered to run later that day. Sciacca, who was on vacation at the time of the incident, said a horse in an adjacent stall that had raced a day earlier was supposed to have received the treatment.

"I'm standing behind Paul on this one," Sciacca told Daily Racing Form. "He's heads-up on everything, and he's a great guy, a family man. I have to be behind him because I've known him so long."

Belmont stewards will wait until after the criminal case is complete before deciding on any further disciplinary action.

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