SHAKOPEE, MN – Two trainers, an owner and a groom were suspended by Minnesota state stewards for a fraudulent claim on Hightail Cowboy on July 6, 2024, at Canterbury Park.
According to the rulings posted by the stewards on the Minnesota Racing Commission website, the Stewards, after hearing testimony and reviewing the documentation compiled by MRC investigators determined that trainer Bill Geditz, trainer Ruben Fuentes, owner Herendida Vasquez and groom Hugo Estrada colluded to drop a fraudulent claim slip to obtain Hightail Cowboy.
“It was evident by the transfer of funds, that Mr. Geditz, Mr. Fuentes and Ms. Vasquez that fraud was perpetrated,” the ruling read. “It was further evident by the transfer of funds, that Mr. Geditz, who indicated on the claim blank that he was the owner, was actually dropping the claim for owner Herendida Vasquez.”
In the case of Estrada the stewards determine that “Estrada was not forthcoming and that his answers were not truthful.”
As a result, Hightail Cowboy was disqualified from three races: the 7th on July 14; the 8th on July 28; and the 3rd on August 17. All earnings from the three races were ordered returned and redistributed.
Geditz, Fuentes, Vasquez and Estrada were all suspended for 30-days.
