Ruling upheld on false Ohio-bred

Following a lengthy appeals hearing Thursday at River Downs in Cincinnati, the Ohio State Racing Commission upheld a recent stewards' ruling disqualifying a horse from his five career races, all of which came under statebred restrictions for which he was not eligible.

The horse, Marble Cliff, was a 13-length winner of the $100,000 Cleveland Gold Cup on June 28, after which a commission investigation found the 3-year-old gelding was not eligible under rules governing Ohio-foaled and -bred horses. Marble Cliff is owned by the Foxwood Stable of Charlie Ruma and Joe Sugar.

Besides Marble Cliff, Houston Heist and seven other horses have been stripped of their Ohio registration papers. The common thread for all nine horses is that they were bred, in full or in partnership, by G. David Shashura.