Gate worker Quinones gets one-year suspension

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Orlando Quinones, a member of the New York Racing Association gate crew, was suspended one year by the New York State Gaming Commission for abusing a horse while attempting to school him at the starting gate during the Saratoga summer meet.

According to a commission ruling, Quinones, while attempting to load the unraced 2-year-old, Mr. Miracle, into the starting gate, “became aggressive with the horse and caused multiple visible injuries to the muzzle and bridge of the nose area of the animal.”

The ruling further stated that state steward Braulio Baeza referred the case to the NYSGC for action. The commission ruled that Quinones “caused bodily harm to the horse, constituting abuse of an animal. The conduct displayed by Quinones was improper, obnoxious, unbecoming, detrimental to the best interests of racing, and a danger to the health, safety or welfare of the public, including equine athletes.”

The suspension was to begin Oct. 25 and last through Oct. 24, 2026. During this time, Quinones is ruled off all racetrack grounds that are under the commission’s jurisdiction.

According to a spokesman, the NYRA immediately conducted its own investigation and did not find evidence of intentional mistreatment of the horse in the gate. Thus, Quinones was allowed to continue to work on the gate crew until Oct. 15, the date the Gaming Commission issued its ruling.

“As always, NYRA will comply fully with the violation issued by the New York State Gaming Commission pending a final determination of the matter,” NYRA spokesman Pat McKenna said.

Quinones has the right to appeal the penalty. As of Monday, it was unclear if he had done so.

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