Commission affirms stewards' warning and probation for licensee Mary Tate

The Washington Horse Racing Commission on June 12 affirmed a Board of Stewards ruling that had placed licensee Mary Tate on a warning and approximately two weeks' probation for conduct at a July 2025 incident at Emerald Downs.

Rochelle Little, assistant attorney general representing commission staff and the Board of Stewards, told the commission: "The evidence shows that on 07/16/2025, Mary Tate was part of a small group crowd of onlookers during the medical emergency" and that Tate "was conducting herself in a verbally and physically in a manner intended to provoke a security officer." Little asked the commission to "affirm the stewards' ruling."

A security witness, Jeremy Folger, testified he arrived for a July 2025 medical incident in Barn 3, saw about "half a dozen to a dozen onlookers," and said he observed Tate "showing signs of intoxication" and "being loud and disruptive, refusing to move back, trying to get closer and closer to the prior personnel." Folger said he filed a narrative report and later reviewed video that showed Tate refusing to comply with security directions.

Presiding steward Vince Funk described the stewards' process, saying the board reviewed security reports, witness statements and video evidence. Funk told commissioners the stewards found Tate's conduct qualified as "disturbing the peace," and that they had issued a warning and probation while noting mitigating circumstances and that Emerald Downs' security response could have been better. "We gave a warning and placed her on probation," Funk said, adding the stewards considered a range of WAC provisions in reaching their decision.

After closing arguments and a brief closed session, Chair Doug Moore announced the commission had "considered the evidence's case and has determined that the steward's original penalty will be affirmed and upheld." He instructed staff that a written order would be prepared and sent to the parties.

The commission's action affirms the stewards' discretion to interpret the racing rules under the authorities cited in the record. The hearing record and the videos the stewards reviewed were admitted into evidence; the commission said no further evidence would be considered and the record is closed.

The panel did not impose a different penalty; the written order to be drafted will explain findings of fact and conclusions of law and will be mailed to parties as the next procedural step.