Alvarado Suspended, Miller Faces Additional Fine

California stewards have followed up with sanctions for trainer Ruben Alvarado, which are related to a fine and suspension levied at trainer Peter Miller earlier this month. Miller also has received an additional fine for "disorderly conduct" at San Luis Rey Training Center back in February, according to administrative actions listed on the California Horse Racing Board website.

Alvarado has been suspended for 14 days for violating his duties as a trainer and for violating the state's program trainer rule from December 23, 2021, through March 24, 2022, at San Luis Rey Training Center. The program trainer rule prohibits someone from fulfilling all the duties of a trainer without being listed as a horse's licensed trainer.

Los Alamitos Race Course stewards issued a $10,000 fine and a seven-day suspension to Miller June 4 for violating the program trainer rule during the same time period.

In late November 2021, Miller stepped down as a trainer and transferred most of his barn to Alvarado, according to a CHRB complaint filed May 23. Between Dec. 23, 2021, and March 24, Miller reportedly "engaged in behavior consistent with the duties of a trainer at the San Luis Rey Training Center with horses in the barn of trainer Ruben Alvarado. This has included entering horses, conducting endoscopy exams, giving instruction to riders, examining horses, consulting with veterinarians, controlling and accessing bank accounts purported to belong to Ruben Alvarado Racing Stables, assigning jockeys, and creating training charts."

In a complaint against Alvarado also dated May 23, he acknowledged that Miller performed all these duties and that he did not have a stable bank account that was independent of Miller.

Alvarado has been suspended from July 1 through July 14. He is denied all the privileges of his trainer's license during this time and denied access to all California racing and training premises under the CHRB's jurisdiction.

Miller also faces an additional $5,000 fine from Santa Anita Park stewards for disorderly conduct. According to the CHRB complaint, Miller became upset when his horse Gates of Heaven was left on the veterinarian list following an official work and after an examination by Dr. Barrie Grant. Miller responded to the news from Grant by using the word "f***" multiple times in the veterinarian's presence. Grant reportedly requested that a complaint be filed.

When contacted by BloodHorse about this latest fine, Miller declined to comment. Attempts to reach Alvarado were unsuccessful.