Vazquez, McCarthy appear before stewards

A hearing into the Monday altercation at Delaware Park between trainer Juan Vazquez and jockey Trevor McCarthy was held before the board of stewards on Wednesday morning. A decision on whether fines and/or suspensions will be issued is not expected until Friday or Saturday.

John F. Wayne, executive director of the Delaware Racing Commission, said both Vazquez and McCarthy spoke at the hearing and that the tone of the meeting was one of “regret” that the incident had occurred.

Vazquez, the current leading trainer at Delaware, accosted McCarthy near the winner’s circle following the fourth race Monday and multiple punches were thrown. Vazquez left the track grounds following the fight but returned after Wayne reached him by phone. Vazquez was then arrested by the Delaware State Police and charged with assault.

“Four or five witnesses to the incident testified at today’s hearing,” Wayne said. “It’s pretty cut and dry, but it is a serious issue and the stewards don’t want to make a knee-jerk decision. They will deliberate and issue their ruling in a day or two.”

This is the second time Vazquez has been involved in a violent incident in 16 months. In February 2013 he was suspended 30 days by the Maryland Racing Commission for “being the aggressor in an altercation” at the Bowie training center. That suspension was stayed on the condition Vazquez not be involved in any similar situations for the remainder of the 2013 Maryland racing season.

“I made it clear that these actions are deplorable and will not be tolerated,” Wayne said. “In my 43 years in racing, I have never seen anything like it.

“To have this type of thing happen in front of the public makes us all look like a bunch of carneys – and that will not be permitted in Delaware racing.”