LAUREL, MD. 01-13-12---King and Crusader was disqualified from an upset score in the Maryland Juvenile Championship at Laurel Park on December 17, 2011 for receiving a medication too close to the race. Glib, who finished 1-1/4 lengths behind the winner, has been declared the victor.

The decision was made earlier this week by Maryland Racing Commission stewards Phil Grove, John Burke and Adam Campola after a hearing last Saturday. The trainers of the second, third and fourth place finishers of the race filed a protest after discovering that King and Crusader, who was shipping in from Rick Dutrow’s Aqueduct barn, was treated for Lasix by a private veterinarian within two hours of the race, a violation of COMAR 09.10.03.04 B.

King and Crusader’s owner James Riccio has until Wednesday, January 18 to file an appeal on the decision.

A win by Glib would give jockey Mario Pino career victory 6,388, which would tie Larry Snyder for 12^th on the all-time list.

RUSSELL SWEEPS FIRST THREE RACES ON FRIDAY CARD

Sheldon Russell rode the winners of the first three races on Friday’s card to take over the top spot in the Laurel Park winter rider standings. Russell visited the winners’ circle with Elegant Peace ($3-first), Silver Slugger ($7.40-second) and Domestic Rose ($4.40-third). He now has seven first place finishes after seven live racing days, two more than Julian Pimentel, Erick Rodriguez and Xavier Perez.

Russell will be honored by the Maryland Jockey Club before Saturday’s fifth race for winning the 2011 riding title at the major Maryland tracks. The 24-year-old rode 126 winners at Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course a year ago and captured all three meet titles (Laurel winter, Pimlico spring and Laurel fall).