Cibelli and Vet Banned at Tampa Meet

[TJ]

I posted this in the Nagle thread but thought it was worth its own thread. Severe, although slow response to the issue. In addition to Cibelli recieving a 60 day suspension, she was banned from running her horses at the upcoming 2013-14 Tampa Bay Downs meet. TJ
http://www.drf.com/news/tampa-bay-downs ... 14-meeting

[Sysonby]

If I understand correctly, some rogue vet supposedly injected a horse with no instruction from the trainer?

As my mother used to say when expressing amazement "Will you listen to yourself talk.."

[reenci]

"Will you listen to yourself talk..".... too funny ....there both soooooooo guilty ..the vet and the trainer..,..the trainer had this guy the vet so scared of her he was shitting his pants when he got caught injecting the horse "oh im sorry , so sorry"...give me a break ...he did not do this on his own....anyone who believes that is just too naïve to be walking around by themselves and should have supervision....she flat out and out was cheating.

[madelyn]

There are actually quite a few people I have met on the backside that believe the rules were made for the "little people" and that they, themselves, are quite above all that. I think Cibelli falls in that group. I think it is laudable that she got her just desserts..

[TJ]

There are actually quite a few people I have met on the backside that believe the rules were made for the "little people" and that they, themselves, are quite above all that. I think Cibelli falls in that group. I think it is laudable that she got her just desserts..

Hi Madelyn,
I agree with your opinion of Cibelli. I also feel the 2013-14 banning penalty imposed by Tampa Bay Downs, above and beyond the 60 day suspension adjudicated by the Commission, was fitting considering the severity of what was attempted. Cibelli has a reputation of being sharp tongued and was fined $750.00 for inappropriate language late in 2011 at Monmouth. In addition, she was put on probation for her conduct the entire 2012 Monmouth meet. Then again in the summer of 2012 at Tampa Bay Downs, she was fined $500.00 for profane language and being obnoxious following the running of a race one of her horses competed in. Her behavior suggests she may very well be in the "quite above all that" group. TJ

[ratherrapid]

I have very little belief myself that this "blocking" was carried out at Cibelli's direct instructions. I agree with her that she's much to smart to endanger her license in this manner. That Cibelli might have been part of a culture of rules stretching in circumstances of inattention that might might facilitate the vet believing he should do the block seems more credible. (There are things a trainer need consider that are competing.) Likely Cibelli got what she deserved, although personally I dislike making a mountain out of this sort of molehill. Bad for the sport imo.

[JimP]

And cheating isn"t??

[Sysonby]

I have very little belief myself that this "blocking" was carried out at Cibelli's direct instructions. I agree with her that she's much to smart to endanger her license in this manner. That Cibelli might have been part of a culture of rules stretching in circumstances of inattention that might might facilitate the vet believing he should do the block seems more credible. (There are things a trainer need consider that are competing.) Likely Cibelli got what she deserved, although personally I dislike making a mountain out of this sort of molehill. Bad for the sport imo.

You're more forgiving than I am. When you think of what the vet would have had to have done to focus on a certain horse, retrieve him from the stall, and then inject him with (free?) medications, I'm having a hard time believing that at least a foreman wasn't in it. What's in it for the vet? If it's to curry favor with Cibelli, he's keeping quiet about it and absorbing the cost himself? Then how does he get anything out of it? All I can think of is to cash a bet and if that's the case Cibelli needs more security and better help if she is truly in the dark.

[TJ]

I have very little belief myself that this "blocking" was carried out at Cibelli's direct instructions. I agree with her that she's much to smart to endanger her license in this manner. That Cibelli might have been part of a culture of rules stretching in circumstances of inattention that might might facilitate the vet believing he should do the block seems more credible. (There are things a trainer need consider that are competing.) Likely Cibelli got what she deserved, although personally I dislike making a mountain out of this sort of molehill. Bad for the sport imo.

Hi Rather,
Very surprised how lightly you're taking the use of a blocking agent? It's probably the worst thing you can do to a race horse....and there is no way any vet undertakes such a risky procedure without the permission of the trainer. Anyone knows the catastrophic risk blocking pain creates. No vet would do that without being told to and any reputable vet, would tell the trainer to take a hike!! A horse who is nerve blocked, above the fetlock, could easily end up breaking a leg. TJ

[Kelly Kip]

I'm rather surprised other tracks are still taking her entries:


Delaware Park - Wednesday, October 9, 2013Race 4 - 2:45 PM
MAIDEN CLAIMING $30,000 – $25,000

Purse $25,000. (plus Up To 40% Other Sources) For Maidens, Two Years Old. Weight, 120 Lbs. Claiming Price $30,000, if for $25,000, allowed 4 Lbs. Six Furlongs.
PP Horse Virtual
Stable A/S Med Claim $ Jockey Wgt Trainer
1 Colonel Harlan (KY) 2/C $30,000 V R Carrasco 1155 R C Mettee
2 Earthly Delights (KY) 2/G L1 $30,000 unknown jockey 120 J Cibelli
3 Rays Last Dance (MD) 2/C $30,000 Y Rosario 120 V W Moscarelli
4 Vindicated (KY) 2/G L $25,000 unknown jockey 116 L A Ashby
5 Kenai Warrior (FL) 2/C $30,000 B Pedroza 120 A Pecoraro
6 Oliver Rush (FL) 2/C L1 $30,000 unknown jockey 120 J Cibelli
7 Pantera (FL) 2/G L $30,000 unknown jockey 120 G D Sacco

Owners: 1 - Team Valor International ; 2 - Earthly Delights LLC ; 3 - Country Roads, Ltd. ; 4 - CJZ Racing Stable ; 5 - Roman Hill Farm LLC ; 6 - Cindy Nassal ; 7 - Red Oak Stable

Breeders: 1 - Team Valor International; 2 - Stacy Vickery; 3 - Country Roads Ltd.; 4 - Phipps Stable; 5 - Thomas L. Croley; 6 - Stonecliff Farm; 7 - Red Oak Stable

Equipment Changes: 1 - Colonel Harlan - Blinkers off;5 - Kenai Warrior - Blinkers On

[TJ]

Hi Kelly,
The 60 day suspension doesn't begin till October 15th. TJ

[Sylvie Hebert]

Ridiculous...I commit a crime and when found guilty I go back home to see to my affairs and get to jail a month later???No wonder racing is in trouble.

[TJ]

Ridiculous...I commit a crime and when found guilty I go back home to see to my affairs and get to jail a month later???No wonder racing is in trouble.

Hi Sylvie,
I agree...what's worse, it took almost 8 months to reach the decision. TJ

[ides of ice]

Ridiculous...I commit a crime and when found guilty I go back home to see to my affairs and get to jail a month later???No wonder racing is in trouble.

Hi Sylvie,
I agree...what's worse, it took almost 8 months to reach the decision. TJ

why so long?

[TJ]

Ridiculous...I commit a crime and when found guilty I go back home to see to my affairs and get to jail a month later???No wonder racing is in trouble.

Hi Sylvie,
I agree...what's worse, it took almost 8 months to reach the decision. TJ

why so long?

Hi ides,
After some digging, I found the length of time Tampa Bay took to reach its decision, had something to do with procedure, evidence and witness credibility. In addition, Tampa awaited the decision of The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering) before announcing their decision. The case became more involved due to a witness credibility problem and the syringe used to perform the block was not recovered. Because of this, it took additional time to reach the end result. They had to rely on the vet who administered the block...hence the credibility problem. Due to this (no syringe and witness credibility), Tampa was unable to seek revocation of both (trainer and Vet) licenses and/or a longer term of suspension, which is the norm for any form of nerve blocking on race day. TJ