Breed Registry Complaints Probed in Ohio

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The Ohio Racing Commission was told July 17 that an investigation is underway into complaints that “there may be one or more horses running in Ohio-bred races that were not foaled in Ohio.”

The statement from the ORC to the commission did not reveal the names or breeding of any horses that may be the subject of the investigation, which is being kept confidential at this point. The commissioners were told they would be notified when the investigation was completed.

John Izzo, deputy director of the commission, said Tim Hamm, president of the Ohio Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners, attended the meeting and read a statement from his organization concerning the investigation.

According to the Daily Racing Form, two horses about which complaints have been received are Marble Cliff and Houston Heist. The Form reported that Marble Cliff’s winning purse from the June 28 Cleveland Gold Cup, a $100,000 stake at Thistledown restricted to Ohio-breds, was being withheld pending the investigation.

Marble Cliff was bred by G. David Shashura and Joseph Sugar. He has won four of five starts--all in Ohio-bred races--for owner Foxwoods Stables. Bred by Mr. and Mrs. G. David Shasura, Houston Heist has won two Ohio-bred races in her three wins from seven starts.

Foxwood Stable principles include breeder Sugar and Charles Ruma, the owner of Beulah Park racetrack. Sugar and other partners own Shazam Stables, which campaigns Houston Heist, according to the Form.

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