Trainer Vazquez Charged With Assault of Rider

Juan Vazquez, a leading trainer at Delaware Park, was charged with simple assault following an incident involving jockey Trevor McCarthy at the track June 23.

According to John F. Wayne, executive director of the Delaware State Racing Commission, there was a scuffle involving Vazquez and McCarthy as the jockey stepped off the scales in the winner's circle following the day's fourth race.

Wayne said there were many witnesses to the incident but that since it is under investigation by both the Delaware state police and stewards, he was not at liberty to say what witnesses have said about how the scuffle came about.

"Obviously there was a disagreement of some sort between the two, and a lot of people who saw it said they were surprised," Wayne said.

Vazquez left the track after the incident and McCarthy was checked out by medical personnel and honored his two additional mounts on the card. After McCarthy filed the misdemeanor charge against Vazquez, the trainer was contacted and returned to the track, where he was arrested by Delaware State Police.

In the fourth race, McCarthy's mount finished second and a horse trained by Vazquez ran fourth. McCarthy won the first race with House Money after his mount bumped with Vazquez-trained Winning Player as that horse was prompting the pace in upper stretch. Winning Player finished last in the six-horse field. Wayne said it will be up to stewards to determine if any regulatory action will be taken against Vazquez or McCarthy.

With 12 wins, Vazquez is the leading trainer at the meet; McCarthy is fifth in the jockey standings.