Marshall Mendez aboard Time to Rock competing for the West Virginia Dash for Cash Breeders’ Classic. (Coady media)
For alleged use of an electrical device while awaiting a hearing
By Maribeth Kalinich
West Virginia riders celebrated their homebred day at Hollywood Casino during Charles Town Races on Saturday, Oct. 11 with a 10-race card consisting of state-bred stakes races.
One jockey rode in nine of those races on the West Virginia Breeders’ Classic program, scoring two victories. However, Marshall Mendez’s victories were short-lived as he was summarily suspended by the stewards.
Mendez won the $75,000 West Virginia Thoroughbred Breeders Association Onion Juice Breeders’ Classic Stakes, aboard No change for trainer Cynthia McKee and the $75,000 West Virginia Dash for Cash Breeders’ Classic S. Presented by ROCKWOOL riding Time to rock for trainer Stacey Viands.
Arrived three days later statement no. 59 posted in a PDF file on the WVRC website states: “Mr. Mendez’s license was summarily suspended on October 14, 2025, pending the outcome of a Board of Stewards hearing.” The ruling, dated the day of the suspension, was signed by stewards Denver K. Beckner, Roy S. Cave and Carlos A. Partida.
Mendez was named on four horses at Charles Town on October 15 and five on October 16. He is also still named on Magic Token in a claims race on October 18 for trainer John Carlisle.
Mendez, 30, has 71 wins on 419 mountains and is the second leading rider for the current Charles Town race.
A recent article in Paulick Report led to comments on social media alluding to a “buzzer” used by Mendez. Although nothing was mentioned in the article, we investigated the situation.
In an email response after a phone call, Joe K. Moore, executive director of the West Virginia Racing Commission, sent this statement:
“Mr. Mendez has been summarily suspended pending the Steward’s investigation and hearing for alleged violation of the West Virginia Thoroughbred Rules of Racing 178CSR1 45.7.d.3 and 45.7.f.2.
Upon reviewing the listed lines, it was discovered that Mendez is indeed suspected of using a buzzer, but it does not specify which races, so we assume race wins are investigated at both stakes.
The stated rules are:
45.7.d.3 The possession of an electrical or mechanical stimulating or shocking device by a jockey, horse owner, trainer or other person authorized to handle or care for a horse shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of this rule and shall be sufficient cause for the stewards to scratch or disqualify the horse.
45.7.f.2 No electrical or mechanical device or other device designed to increase or retard the speed of a snake, other than the riding crop approved by the stewards, shall be possessed by any person or applied to the horse by any person at any time on the premises of the association during the meeting, whether during a race or otherwise. Licensees must take action to ensure devices are not being used.
Mr. Moore further noted, “The hearing for Mr. Mendez is scheduled for Wednesday, October 22, 2025. As this is an ongoing matter, the West Virginia Racing Commission (sic) cannot provide any further comment.”
When watching the replay videos, we saw some anomalies that may or may not be significant.
In Race 3, the WVa Dash for Cash Breeders’ Classic, Mendez appears to use his whip at the start, which seemed a bit unusual (although he wanted his horse to take a shorter path, it just felt strange).
Time to Rock broke out of the 9-chute and settled into third place and then chased 3-4 wide into the turn and cruised down the stretch to a one-length victory.
In Race 7, the Onion Juice, Mendez broke from post 2 and was stuck at the back in eighth place in the nine-horse field.
With a four-wide bid around the far bend aboard No Change Mendez moved up to fifth after the long bend and appeared to be fiddling with his goggles or helmet at that point. Shortly afterwards his horse accelerates and clears the field a length for the victory.
Menendez competed in seven other races on Saturday without any major incidents. He finished second in Race 2, the West Virginia Lottery, fifth in Race 4, the Vincent Moscarelli Memorial, third in Race 5, the Roger Ramey, fourth in Race 6, the Russell Road, fourth in Race 8, the Cavada, eighth in Race 9, the same Huff and sixth in Race 10, the 1/ST BET.
We will provide an update after the hearing on October 22.
#WVa #jockey #Mendez #summarily #suspended