DeLeon, Gary Mandella fined for violations

Trainers Rafael DeLeon and Gary Mandella were recently fined by Los Alamitos stewards for violations at Santa Anita earlier this year.

DeLeon was fined $750 for failing to disclose that Broken Finger was scheduled to race as a gelding on May 22 in his debut. Broken Finger was withdrawn and was later sixth in maiden races at Santa Anita on June 1 and June 15.

Trainers are required to correctly report if a horse is racing as a gelding, even first-time starters.

Mandella was fined $500 after Zusha tested positive for the analgesic phenylbutazone when third in the Grade 2 Santa Monica Stakes on Feb. 15 at Santa Anita.

Phenylbutazone is a commonly used medication but cannot be administered within 48 hours of a race following rule changes in the last year enacted by the California Horse Racing Board.

Assael Espinoza gets 3-day ban

Jockey Assael Espinoza has been suspended Friday through Sunday, the first three days of the Del Mar summer meeting, for causing interference in the seventh race June 28 at Los Alamitos.

Espinoza, 20, was cited for his ride on Short of EZ, who won an allowance race with a $20,000 claiming option. Espinoza was ruled to have failed to have maintained a straight course in the stretch.

Short of EZ finished three-quarters of a length in front of Rinse and Repeat, who was forced out by Short of EZ in the final furlong. Despite the incident, the stewards did not change the order of finish after conducting an inquiry, stating Rinse and Repeat was not cost a placing.