Delta trainer barred three years

Trainer Kearney Segura has received a three-year suspension and a $5,000 fine from the Louisiana Racing Commission for running an unraced maiden in place of a $20,000 claiming horse on Jan. 1 at Delta Downs.

Segura started the unraced 3-year-old, named Caro's Majesty, in the race instead of Swim Easy, who had been entered in the optional claiming race. Caro's Majesty, sent off at 5-2, was pulled up in the five-furlong event by jockey Jerri Nichols and claimed for $20,000. Both Caro's Majesty and Swim Easy are owned by Mohammed T. Islam.

In a January ruling, Delta Downs stewards voided the claim, fined Segura $1,000, and referred the case to the racing commission for further action. In a separate January ruling, the stewards fined Delta's horse identifier, Ryan Long, $200.

Segura claimed Swim Easy on behalf of Islam on Dec. 13, 2003 for $5,000. Swim Easy had started 14 times for Segura before the Jan. 1 race, winning seven times and earning more than $93,000.

Segura's suspension will begin this Saturday, according to Tino Rieger, assistant executive director of the commission. Rieger said that Segura could appeal the decision through the court system but had not as of Tuesday afternoon.