OZONE PARK, N.Y - Trainer Michael Simmonds is barred from entering horses at New York Racing Association tracks until further notice, pending an investigation by the New York State Gaming Commission, according to NYRA. Simmonds had two horses scratched from Sunday’s card at Aqueduct by the stewards shortly after noon. New York Gaming Commission steward Braulio Baeza Jr. would not comment on the exact reason for the horses being scratched. Simmonds, who arrived in New York early Sunday afternoon after a flight from Florida, said he was told the horses - Annika Gold in race 6 and April Antics in race 9 - were scratched because track veterinarians were told the horses were not fed Sunday morning. It was unclear who told the vets that the horses were not fed, and Simmonds said he has cameras in his barn that prove the horses were fed. :: Get Daily Racing Form Past Performances – the exclusive home of Beyer Speed Figures “The people who scratched the horses, they’re not in the barn,” Simmonds said Sunday afternoon. “They’re going by what they heard. If a vet hears your horse didn’t eat they’re not going to let your horse run. Let me tell you something, if I owe you a million dollars, you’re not getting paid because my horse is going to eat and sleep good.” Simmonds said he gave stewards and investigators a statement Sunday afternoon. Pat McKenna, NYRA vice-president/communications issued the following statement: “Due to an ongoing investigation by the New York State Gaming Commission [NYSGC], two horses trained by Michael A. Simmonds were scratched from Sunday's card at Aqueduct Racetrack. Simmonds will not be permitted to enter horses pending further investigation by the NYSGC.” :: Take your handicapping to the next level and play like a pro with free Formulator, DRF's premium data product Simmonds has a horse entered for Thursday. Baeza said it is not definite that horse will be scratched, pending the investigation. The two horses scratched Sunday and Bella Dolce, entered Thursday, are owned by Dronacharje Balgobin, who said Sunday he was not sure why the horses were scratched. Balgobin said he tried to enter two horses for Friday’s card but was denied entry. Balgobin, who races under the moniker Guyana Rocky, said he has 10 horses currently stabled with Simmonds. Simmonds is stabled in barn 61 with seven other trainers. Simmonds said he is hated by some trainers in that barn, including one “who hates every bone in my body.” Simmonds is 1 for 14 at the meet, but he does rank second in the Under-20 Claiming Challenge, a contest in which trainers who have under 20 horses in their care compete for prize money based on placings of their horses in claiming races. The top eight point-earners win money, ranging from $16,000 down to $5,000.