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A stalls handler has been banned from all tracks in New York state for one year after being found to have caused ‘bodily harm’ to a racehorse while supervising gate practice. Orlando Quinones, a member of the New York Racing Association crew, was operating as an assistant starter during morning training hours at Saratoga racecourse in July. According to a ruling by the New York State Gaming Commission , he was working with a two-year-old named Mr Miracle. He made several attempts to load the colt into the gate when he became “aggressive with the horse and caused multiple visible injuries to the muzzle and bridge of the nose area of the animal.” The state steward, former jockey Braulio Baeza, referred Quinones to the Gaming Commission for further action. On Monday the NYSGC ruled: “Orlando Quinones caused bodily harm to the horse, constituting abuse of an animal. The conduct displayed by Quinones was improper, obnoxious, unbecoming, detrimental to the best interests of racing, and a danger to the health, safety or welfare of the public, including equine athletes.” The Commission issued a one year suspension to apply from October 25 to October 24, 2026, during which time Quinones will be excluded from all racetrack grounds under its jurisdiction. Mr Miracle, a two-year-old son of leading sire Curlin, fetched £523,000 as a yearling at the Keeneland September sale, where he was knocked down to agent Mike Ryan. He has yet to race and is not listed with an owner or trainer. A spokesperson for the NYRA told DRF.com it had conducted its own investigation which found no evidence of intentional mistreatment. “As always, NYRA will comply fully with the violation issued by the New York State Gaming Commission pending a final determination of the matter,” said Pat McKenna.
