Pa. owners are suspended for electric devices, syringes
Two licensed owners in Pennsylvania have been suspended after vehicle searches at the stable gates found prohibited items. According to Pennsylvania Horse Racing Commission rulings, a search at Presque Isle Downs on Friday revealed an electrical device. A separate search at Parx the same day found needles and loaded syringes.
A PHRC ruling dated Friday ruled that Miguel Alberto Olguin, a licensed owner and stable employee, was being summarily suspended after an electrical stimulating or shocking device was found in his vehicle. A separate PHRC ruling, also dated Friday, summarily suspended licensed owner Angel M. Cuello for having needles and loaded syringes in his car. These rulings were previously reported by Ray Paulick of Paulick Report.
Under Pennsylvania law, no jockey, owner, trainer or person authorized to handle horses is allowed to have an electrical or mechanical stimulating device. Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority rules also prohibit the possession and use of such devices.
Only veterinarians are allowed to possess hypodermic needles, syringes or injectable substances at a racetrack under Pennsylvania law.
Olguin and Cuello each have ten days to appeal these findings.
According to Equibase records, Olguin has owned horses since 2018, with 14 wins in 97 starts over that time. His most recent start came Wednesday when King Reigert, trained by Kevin Rice, finished fifth in a maiden special weight at Presque Isle Downs. Two horses he owned were scratched Monday at Presque Isle Downs. Cuello has two starts under his own name this year as well as one in 2024 and 31 in 2025 under the name AC Racing Stable, including a win Sept. 8 at Parx with Abdul Williams-trained Solemn Oath in the stable's most recent start.
These searches came during the lead-up to the most important races of the year at both Presque Isle Downs and Parx. The Presque Isle Masters (G2) happened Friday at the Erie, Pa. track, while the Pennsylvania Derby (G1) put Parx in the spotlight Saturday.