A. C. Avila paid fine for falsifying information

Kentucky chief steward Barbara Borden said a stewards’ investigation involving Southern California-based trainer A.C. Avila has been closed after Avila recently paid a $750 fine for falsifying information on his trainer’s application.

Avila came under close scrutiny in the aftermath of a 14-length victory by one of his horses, Masochistic, on the May 3 Kentucky Derby undercard. Avila’s original license application was incomplete because it did not disclose any rulings previously made against him, although upon resubmission of the application, it was determined that none of those rulings would have led to a denial of a license, said Borden.

Masochistic created a public furor with his Derby Day victory at 2-1 odds after finishing fifth in his only prior start at Santa Anita. From that March 15 debut, Avila eventually was fined for a medication overage, and jockey Omar Berrio was questioned by the Southern California stewards for an unsatisfactory ride.

A stewards’ ruling ordering the $750 fine was issued Aug. 9 from Ellis Park and was paid shortly thereafter, said Borden.

Whiting prospect eyes Futurity

Churchill-based trainer Lynn Whiting said the Grade 2 Futurity on Oct. 5 at Belmont Park is a possible next start for Hebbronville, a 2-year-old colt with two sharp victories in as many starts.

“He hasn’t raced past five furlongs yet, so I don’t foresee sending him 1 1/16 miles anytime soon,” said Whiting.

Hebbronville, by the young sire Majesticperfection, earned 84 Beyer Speed Figures in winning maiden and first-level allowance races at Parx Racing in suburban Philadelphia. The $200,000 Futurity is run at six furlongs.

Flashy American still sidelined

Trainer Ken McPeek said Flashy American should return to training “in the next week or two” after injuring a hoof when fifth as the favorite in her last start, the July 27 Shuvee at Saratoga.

“She tore it up pretty good,” said McPeek. “I’d like to maybe have her back racing at the Churchill fall meet [in November], but we’ll see how that goes.”

Flashy American, a 5-year-old mare, is a multiple stakes winner of almost $650,000 for Preston Stables.

◗ Joe Sharp, perhaps best known as the husband of star jockey Rosie Napravnik, won with the first starter of his nascent training career when Holiday Drama captured the first race Wednesday at Kentucky Downs. Napravnik was aboard.

Sharp, 29, recently opened his own stable at the nearby Trackside training center after working as an assistant for Mike Stidham and more recently for Mike Maker.