Denny Velazquez Suspended a Year by Minnesota Stewards
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Photo: Coady Photography
Denny Velazquez enters the Canterbury Park winner's circle
Jockey Denny Velazquez was handed a one-year suspension and a $10,000 fine by the board of stewards at Canterbury Park for being found in possession of an electrical device and a loaded firearm during a search of his vehicle conducted by Minnesota Racing Commission investigators on the grounds of Canterbury Park.
An electrical device, known as a "buzzer," is used to urge a horse into running faster by delivering an electronic shock and are prohibited.
Velazquez responded in person to a formal meeting before the board of stewards Aug. 4. The stewards entered nine exhibits and heard testimony from Velazquez. They released their ruling Aug. 10.
Velazquez is suspended through July 20, 2021. He was given 21 days of credit for serving a summary suspension since the July 20 violation. His penalties are the maximum statutory limits of the stewards' authority in the state. Velazquez is also denied privileges to all grounds under the jurisdiction of the Minnesota Racing Commission during his suspension.
The board of stewards referred the matter to the racing commission and recommended Velazquez be declared ineligible for any type of Class C license in Minnesota for five years and to increase the the civil penalty fine to $50,000 due to the two violations. The recommended penalties are the maximum the commission can give.
Velazquez, a native of Jones, Okla., has been riding since 2010. He last rode July 16 at Canterbury, winning on one of five mounts.