HISA suspends Rodriguez after clearance by hearing officer

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority provisionally suspended trainer Rudy Rodriguez after being cleared to do so by a hearing officer.

Friday's hearing followed a show-cause notice issued to Rodriguez by HISA in November, alleging mistreatment of at least 15 horses.

In a decision dated Monday and issued Tuesday, hearing officer Armand Leone wrote that Rodriguez failed to follow the standard of care required for a trainer and endangered the welfare of his horses. He wrote that HISA demonstrated good cause to his satisfaction and that the request for provisional suspension pending a final adjudication should be granted.

Veterinarians and others provided testimony in support of HISA and Rodriguez.

HISA claimed that there was an absence in the HISA portal or produced to the authority request of veterinarian treatment records for multiple covered horses concerning lameness evaluations or diagnostic treatments after being placed on the vet list. Based on the absence of treatment records, the horses were deprived of necessary veterinary treatment as required by HISA, according to the allegations. By depriving horses of necessary veterinary care, HISA claimed that Rodriguez presented an imminent danger to the health and safety of horses.

Rodriguez said all of his horses were routinely evaluated for lameness and other medical conditions.  and that none were denied care. He testified that he has never tried to mislead or deceive regulatory vets and that he believes he does his best, including instructing his doctors to file all necessary paperwork for HISA records.