#US RACING: SUSPENDED TRAINER FOR INHUMANE TREATMENT FILES APPEAL

Owner/trainer Alison Escobar, who was suspended and fined Aug. 12 for continuing to train a horse with a severe tendon injury, has appealed his penalty and requested a stay of his suspension, according to the Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission.

Escobar was suspended for 60 days and fined $2,500 for the improper and inhumane treatment of Ashiham , a 5-year-old son of Tapit  . According to Sarah Crane, DTRC executive director, the owner/trainer filed his appeal Aug. 15. Crane said she will make a decision on his request to stay the suspension before it is scheduled to start Aug. 19.

The fine and suspension follow DTRC safety steward Eric Coatrieux observing Ashiham Aug. 3 on the main track at Delaware Park lame and with a "significantly bowed left tendon," according to the DTRC ruling. Coatrieux contacted DTRC veterinarian Dr. Annie Renzetti to inspect the horse. Upon observation, Renzetti reported the horse had a lameness score of 4 on a scale of 5 and that his left front flexor tendon was warm and sore on palpation, according to the ruling. The horse was immediately put on the Vet's List and required to undergo diagnostic testing, including ultrasound, and be put on stall rest until he can be reevaluated by commission veterinarians.

Ashiham is still stabled at Delaware Park and under Escobar's care because his suspension has not started, according to Crane. The trainer did not respond to calls or texts from BloodHorse for comment.

Escobar, who races under the name Tres Potrillos Ranch, had been under scrutiny for his management of Ashiham for several months before the horse arrived at Delaware Park.