Canterbury Park jockey banned for illegal device, loaded weapon

A jockey has been banned for one year and fined $10,000 by the board of stewards after he was discovered to be in possession of an illegal electrical device and a loaded weapon on Canterbury Park grounds. 

Minnesota Racing Commission investigators found the illegal device and a loaded weapon in jockey Denny Velazquez's vehicle at Canterbury Park on July 20. A source tells Bring Me The News that the racing commission conducted the investigation as a result of a credible tip. 

The penalties handed down are the maximum allowed by the board of stewards in Minnesota, though the board has recommended that the Minnesota Racing Commission use its maximum power and ban Velazquez from any racing license for five years and increasing the fine to $50,000. 

The board of stewards issued a release saying the recommendation was made "due to the two serious violations that call into question the honesty and integrity of horse racing and the safety, health and welfare of the participants and the general public at Canterbury Park." 

According to the Star Tribune, Velazquez was the third-leading jockey with 20 wins and nearly $338,000 in purse earnings at the time his season was halted. 

The illegal electrical device, often referred to as "buzzers," shock horse and make them run faster. 

Canterbury Park has live racing 3-4 days a week through Sept. 17.