Longtime Delaware Park assistant starter Jessie Kisilewski was suspended by track management on Thursday for using excessive force in the gate prior to the start of that day’s fifth race. Race 5 was a 1 1/16-mile maiden race on turf. Kisilewski was in the stall with the No. 7 horse, Accolade, who became agitated and ducked his head sharply downward, pulling Kisilewski off balance. Kisilewski righted Accolade, and then, while holding the upper part of the horse's bridle with his right hand, hit Accolade four times in the face with what appeared to be the open palm of his left hand. A few seconds later, Accolade ducked downward again, but Kisilewski straightened him, and Accolade broke from the gate fairly well. An 8-1 shot, Accolade raced in fourth position early, made a three-wide bid on the far turn, but then tired in the stretch to finish sixth, beaten 10 lengths. The incident caused a stir on Twitter, and Delaware Park issued a statement Thursday on the social-media platform saying the track "in no way condones the mistreatment of animals” and has “immediately suspended” Kisilewski. “The incident has been referred to the DTRC, which will investigate and hold a special hearing on Saturday morning," the statement said. The results of Kisilewski's meeting with the Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission are expected early next week, according to John Wayne, the commission's executive director, who said he could not comment further because the matter was pending. Kisilewski will remain suspended by the track until the stewards issue their opinion. He has not had any prior DTRC disciplinary rulings, a state official said. Accolade is trained by Abel Castellano, who said the horse was not injured in the incident. "My veterinarian and the state veterinarian inspected him after the race, and he is fine," Castellano said. Castellano, a former jockey who rode 459 winners at Delaware Park, said he was "at first upset and surprised by the situation." He added that he has known Kisilewski a long time, and that he is "a good assistant starter." Kisilewski declined to comment. Senior Delaware Park racing officials did not return phone calls seeking comment.