Santa Anita stewards order two owners to pay trainers

ARCADIA, Calif. – Owners John Meairs and Kenji Morinaga have been ordered to pay their trainers five-figure sums, according to rulings released last weekend by Santa Anita stewards Grant Baker, Scott Chaney, and Kim Sawyer.

Morinaga, who owns Imperative, the runner-up in the Grade 2 San Antonio Stakes last Saturday, has been ordered to pay his former trainer Ricky Agarie $15,982 by Feb. 19.

Meairs has been ordered to pay trainer Jim Cassidy $29,203 and veterinarian Melinda Blue $6,465 by Feb. 21.

Financial disputes arose between the parties, stewards said.

Both owners will be suspended if payments are not completed, according to the rulings.