Vazquez apologizes for losing temper with McCarthy
On Tuesday, a day after allegedly assaulting jockey Trevor McCarthy in the winner’s circle following the fourth race at Delaware Park, trainer Juan Vazquez was apologetic and expressed remorse for losing his temper.
Both Vazquez and McCarthy will be present at a stewards’ hearing at Delaware Park on Wednesday morning, at which Vazquez could be fined or suspended. Vazquez was arrested by Delaware State Police for his role in the altercation and faces assault charges.
“I am so sorry for what happened yesterday. This has never happened to me before,” Vazquez said by phone Tuesday morning. “I lost my temper. It is a very bad situation.
“Trevor is a good kid and a good rider. I am sorry for him and sorry for his family.”
It must be noted, that this is not the first time Vazquez has been the involved in a racetrack dispute. In a Maryland Racing Commission ruling dated Feb. 18, 2013, Vazquez was suspended 30 days for being the aggressor in an altercation at the Bowie training center. That suspension was stayed on the condition that “he not be involved in another altercation under the jurisdiction of the MRC during the 2013 Maryland racing season.”
Jockey agent Scott Silver, who represents McCarthy, said his rider was not seriously injured and confirmed that he would attend the Wednesday hearing. McCarthy rode in two races after the incident and was set to ride at Parx on Tuesday.
John F. Wayne, executive director of the Delaware Racing Commission, did not witness the fight but spoke with Vazquez and McCarthy afterward.
“It was a scuffle, there were abrasions, red skin, and bruises on both parties,” Wayne said Tuesday. “Mr. Vazquez left the track after the incident. I called him and summoned him back. He was arrested by the state police when he returned and taken to Troop 2.”
An incident in Monday’s first race might have played a role in precipitating the situation. McCarthy, aboard the favored House Money, made a three-wide bid for the lead entering the stretch and bumped with the Vazquez-trained Winning Player. House Money went on to win by daylight, while Winning Player tired to finish last. In the fourth race, just prior to Vazquez’s outburst, McCarthy had finished second, while a Vazquez runner was fourth.
Vazquez, a perennial power at Delaware, has 12 wins at the meet and leads the standings by five wins over Jamie Ness and Scott Lake, who are tied for second. Vazquez has finished first or second in the Delaware trainers’ standings in each of the past four years.
McCarthy, the leading rider at Laurel’s winter meet and the Pimlico spring session, is currently riding at Monmouth Park, Delaware, and Parx. He is tied for fifth in the Delaware standings with seven wins.