Jaipur entrant to be scratched by N.Y. board

The New York State Racing and Wagering Board will scratch True Quality out of Saturday's Grade 3, $150,000 Jaipur Stakes at Belmont Park because of "insufficient proof" that Paraneck Stable no longer has ownership interest in the colt, according to a board spokesman.

Paraneck Stable dispersed its entire stable in the wake of 22 animal cruelty charges filed against Ernie Paragallo, the authorized agent for his family-owned racing operation, which listed his daughters Kristen and Jennifer as proprietors. Most of the horses were sold to Joe Sgro, who races under the name Fever Racing. True Quality, who won the Grade 2 General George and the listed Paumonok earlier this year, was the most accomplished horse sold by Paraneck to Sgro.

"After reviewing the available information on the proposed sale of True Quality," said Joe Mahoney, a board spokesman, "it was determined there was insufficient proof the Paragallos no longer have ownership in True Quality, so we're scratching the horse for Saturday."

True Quality, whose trainer is listed as Joe DeMola, would have been making his turf debut in the Jaipur. He was one of seven horses entered in the race on Wednesday.

Paragallo was charged in April after investigators visited his Center Brook Farm in Climax, N.Y., and found horses who were allegedly malnourished and infested with parasites.