Marshall Mendez aboard Time to Rock viying for the West Virginia Dash for Cash Breeders’ Classic. (Coady Media)
For alleged use of an electrical device pending a hearing
By Maribeth Kalinich
West Virginia horsemen celebrated their homebred day at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races on Saturday, October 11 with a 10-race card that consisted of state bred stakes races.
One jockey rode in nine of those stakes races on the West Virginia Breeders’ Classic program scoring two victories. However, Marshall Mendez’s wins were short-lived as he was summarily suspended by the stewards.
Mendez won the 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.
Three days later in ruling #59 posted in a PDF file to the WVRC website it is stated: “Mr. Mendez’s license has been summarily suspended as of Oct. 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 had been named on four horses at Charles Town on Oct. 15 and five on Oct. 16. He is also still named on Magic Token in a claiming race on Oct. 18 for trainer John Carlisle.
Mendez, 30, has 71 victories from 419 mounts and is the second leading rider for the current Charles Town meet.
A recent article in Paulick Report sparked comments on social media that alluded to a “buzzer” being used by Mendez. Although the article made no mention of this, we investigated the situation.
In an email response following a phone call, West Virginia Racing Commission Executive Director, Joe K. Moore sent this statement:
“Mr. Mendez has been summarily suspended pending investigation and Stewards hearing for allegedly violating West Virginia Thoroughbred Rules of Racing 178CSR1 45.7.d.3 and 45.7.f.2.
Upon reviewing the noted rules, it was discovered that Mendez is indeed suspected of using a buzzer but it does not specify which races, so we are assuming both stakes race victories are under investigations.
The Rules Noted State:
45.7.d.3 Possession of any electrical or mechanical stimulating or shocking device by a jockey, horse owner, trainer or other person authorized to handle or attend to a horse shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of this rule and is sufficient grounds for the stewards to scratch or disqualify the horse.
45.7.f.2 No electrical or mechanical device or other expedient designed to increase or retard the speed of a hose, other than the riding crop approved by the stewards, shall be possessed by anyone or applied by anyone to the horse at any time on the grounds of the association during the meeting, whether in a race or otherwise. Licensees shall take action to ensure that devices are not being used.
Mr. Moore further commented: “The hearing for Mr. Mendez is scheduled for Wednesday October 22, 2025. As this is an ongoing matter, the West Virginia Racing Commission can not (sic) provide any further comments.”
Upon reviewing the replay videos, we saw a few anomalies that may or may not be significant.
In Race 3, the WVa Dash for Cash Breeders’ Classic, Mendez appears to use his whip upon the start which seemed a bit unusual (although he did want his horse to move over for a shorter path it just felt odd).
Breaking from the 9 chute, Time to Rock settled into third and then chased 3-4 wide in the turn driving down the stretch to a one length victory.
In Race 7, the Onion Juice, Mendez broke from post 2 and got stuck in the back in eighth in the nine-horse field.
Making a four-wide bid around the far turn aboard No Change Mendez moved up to fifth coming around the stretch turn and seemed to fiddle with either his goggles or helmet at the point. Soon after, his mount accelerates and clears the field by one length for the win.
Menendez rode in seven other races on Saturday with no noted 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.
