Beulah ex-lovers seek court TV verdict

It is often said the backside of a racetrack is like a soap opera.

In an episode illustrating that point, two members of Beulah Park's backstretch community are set to have their differences resolved on television soon.

Owner-trainer Tim Maxey and jockey Shelly Moran, who broke off their engagement over the summer, recently taped an episode on "Judge Joe Brown." Maxey and Moran appeared in front of Brown regarding several issues, including whether Moran had to return the engagement ring to Maxey.

Many people at Beulah know how the case was resolved but the rest of us will have to stay tuned to find out.

* A four-way battle for leading trainer is shaping up here with six weeks remaining in the fall meet. Joe Faulkner, who is based here for the first time, held an 18-16 lead over perennial leading trainer Jake Radosevich through Tuesday. Albert Palacios was a close third, saddling 15 winners from just 46 starters. Rinzy Nocero is also in contention with 13 winners.

Defending champion Marco Ccamaque holds a 43-33 advantage over Ivan Gonzalez in the rider standings. Ccamaque was issued a seven-day suspension for careless riding here last Friday. The suspension was set to begin on Wednesday but Ccamaque has appealed. Ccamaque was also fined $250 for being disrespectful toward and failing to follow instructions from the stewards.

* The stewards have suspended trainer Gary Lewis for one year and fined him $1,000 for cocaine possession. The drugs were discovered during a traffic stop executed by the Grove City Police as Lewis was entering Beulah's barn area.

According to the stewards, Lewis was charged with DUI as well as cocaine possession by the police after they searched his truck and trailer. Lewis has filed an appeal of the stewards' ruling.