Full story to come shortly at DRF.com

Delaware Park assistant starter Jesse Kisilewski has been cleared of any wrongdoing by the Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission regarding an incident that occurred in the starting gate prior to the beginning of race 5 on June 14.

Kisilewski, who has been suspended by Delaware Park since the date of the incident, will be reinstated to his position, according to John Mooney, the executive director of racing at Delaware Park.

Kisilewski, who has worked at Delaware for approximately 20 years, was in the No. 7 starting stall with the horse Accolade and jockey Daniel Centeno for the 1 1/16-mile maiden race on turf.

Accolade became agitated and ducked his head sharply downward, pulling Kisilewski off balance. Kisilewski righted Accolade, and then, while holding the upper part of the horse's bridle with his right hand, hit Accolade four times in the face with what the open heel of his left hand.

A few seconds later, Accolade ducked downward again but Kisilewski straightened him and Accolade broke from the gate fairly well. An 8-1 shot, Accolade raced in fourth position early, made a three-wide bid to closer contention on the far turn, but then tired in the stretch to finish sixth, beaten 10 lengths.

Because the race started in the infield chute, the track television camera afforded a close-up, head-on view of the starting gate. The incident caused a stir on social media, with some posts accusing Kislewski of using excessive force.

On Monday, Duncan Patterson, the chairman of the Delaware Throughbred Racing Commission issued the following statement when contacted by Daily Racing Form:

"This decision was based upon a thorough investigation at both the state and track levels, which included but was not limited to review of videos, interviews with those involved in the incident and individuals who are knowledgeable regarding the standard protocols of handling a fractious horse in the starting gate when a horse becomes a danger to the jockey and/or assistant starter.

"At the state level the incident was investigated by the Stewards and the State's Animal Cruelty investigator and subsequently the assistant starter was cleared of any wrong doing. The final decision was fully supported by the Delaware Department of Agriculture and the Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission."

Mooney agrees with the commission decision.

"I feel strongly that if he hadn't acted in the manner he did the incident could have resulted in catastrophic injury to the rider and horse," Mooney said. "He not only managed to control the horse, he was able to get it in a position that it broke cleanly. I feel he acted in the best way he could under the circumstances."