Turf Paradise: No betting issues found Thursday, inquiry ongoing

(Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect Turf Paradise found no irregularities in betting patterns for this race.)

Turf Paradise is investigating the running of Friday’s fourth race that saw 1-20 favorite Juror immediately pulled up by jockey Fausto Da Silva once the gates opened.

The issue arose in a $5,000 maiden-claimer going one mile on the main track. Juror was making his second start for trainer Juan Pablo Silva and being ridden for the first time by Da Silva, who Equibase shows as having his first career mount on Dec. 28.

The winner of the race, 9-2 second choice Rancher under Harry Hernandez, returned $11.40. He keyed payouts of $69.80 for a $1 exacta, $282.50 trifecta for 50 cents and $145.57 superfecta for 10 cents. 

The chart notes Juror was subsequently vanned off the track.

About two hours after the race was completed, Turf Paradise announcer Craig Braddick said on social media the track would hold an investigation to find out why Juror was immediately pulled up.

“In response to the questions I have had into the running of the #6 horse in R4 at Turf Paradise, I have been informed by the track GM (Vince Francia) an investigation by all the relevant authorities has been underway since the race ended,” Braddick said.

Following Fridays’ races at Turf Paradise, Braddick told Horse Racing Nation an investigation into the wagering patterns for the race "showed no abnormalities." However, he added "the investigation into the running of race is still ongoing." 

Braddick previously noted there could have been a legitimate reason for Da Silva’s lack of a ride. It's possible Juror hurt himself in the gate, there was a problem with the tack, or “the horse broke and something did not feel right.” 

Juror was 0 for 12 entering Thursday’s race with the majority of those starts coming in Southern California for trainer Sal Gonzalez. In his first start for Silva on Feb. 1, the 5-year-old Tapit gelding got up for third against $3,000 maiden claimers. 

Entering Friday, Da Silva had won at a 19 percent clip through the first two-plus months of his career with a record of 79: 15-11-16.