Trainer Miller fined for failing to report first-time gelding

ARCADIA, Calif. - Trainer Peter Miller has been fined $1,250 for failing to report Fly to Mars was racing as a gelding for the first time when the 3-year-old won the 11th race at Santa Anita on June 10.

The penalty was announced in a ruling issued by Santa Anita stewards Friday. The ruling noted this was the third instance of such an infraction for Miller.

On June 10, the public was not informed Fly to Mars was a gelding until approximately 20 minutes before post time, after he was inspected in the receiving barn where horses are kept before going to the paddock.

Following the race, Miller said he was aware Fly to Mars had been gelded since his previous start in June 2016, and described the situation as “an oversight” that it was not reported to Santa Anita’s racing department.

Fly to Mars was a 4-1 shot on June 10. His win triggered a pick six payoff of $898,568, which included a payout in the track’s single-ticket jackpot pool. The winning bet was placed for $1,920 at the Hollywood Park off-track betting location.

Through Sunday, Miller was the leading trainer at the Santa Anita spring-summer meeting.

Trainer John Sadler has been fined $500 after he gave Nothins Free a workout on June 11, two days after the unraced filly was placed on the veterinarian’s list.

Horses are not permitted to have workouts for three days after being placed on the vet’s list.

Jockey Israel Ocampo has been suspended three days for causing interference in the sixth race at Santa Anita on June 25. Ocampo was cited for his ride on Watch This Cat, who finished second in an optional claimer on the hillside turf course.

Watch This Cat drifted to the inside in early stretch, causing Belvoir Bay and Roo’s Valentine, who finished third and fifth, to be steadied. There was no change to the order of finish.

Ocampo’s suspension covers three days of racing at the Los Alamitos summer meeting: Saturday and July 13-14. Through Saturday, Ocampo was tied for 13th in the Santa Anita spring-summer meeting with 10 wins.