By Dan Ross
Every week, the TDN posts a round-up of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) related rulings from around the country.
Among this week's rulings, trainer Efren Loza, Jr. has been banned 18-months and fined $12,500 after his trainee, Mexicoffee, tested positive post-race for clenbuterol after finishing second at Gulfstream Park on Feb. 14. Loza's suspension began Apr. 17 and lasts until Oct. 16, 2025.
Clenbuterol, a banned substance under HISA, is a bronchodilator with a checkered history in both human and equine sports due to its anabolic properties–in other words, its ability to increase lean muscle mass and reduce body fat.
Trainer Amador Sanchez has been suspended for seven days and fined $1,000 after two of his runners tested positive post-race for capsaicin. The horses in question were Grey Princess, who won at Gulfstream Park Mar. 8, and Dontkissdaminister who finished second at Gulfstream Park Mar. 22.
These cases were treated as one violation as per HISA guidance on multiple violations for the same controlled substance.
A Class B controlled medication under HISA, capsaicin is the active ingredient in chilli peppers causing burning and irritation, and can be found in topical analgesics.
Trainer Isidro Tamayo is also suspended for seven days as a result of his trainee, Dust Maker, testing positive for dexamethasone after winning at Turf Paradise Apr. 2.
Dexamethasone is a Class C controlled medication under HISA, a first violation for which comes with a possible maximum $500 fine. But this case marked Tamayo's second violation for a Class C substance within the last two years. Two Class C medication violations within a two-year period comes with a maximum 15-day suspension and $1,000 fine.
NEW HISA/HIWU STEWARDS RULINGS
The following rulings were reported on HISA's “rulings” portal and through the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit's (HIWU) “pending” and “resolved” cases portals.
Resolved ADMC Violations
Date: 04/29/2024
Licensee: Isidro Tamayo, trainer
Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on April 30, 2024; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $1,000; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points.Admission.
Explainer: For the presence of Dexamethasone—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Dust Maker, who won at Turf Paradise on 4/2/24. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).
Date: 04/29/2024
Licensee: Matthew Fales, trainer
Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission.
Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Rantanen, who finished third at Turf Paradise on 3/21/24. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).
Date: 04/26/2024
Licensee: Amador Sanchez, trainer
Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); Treated as 1 violation with Grey Princess under 9/8/23 HISA Guidance. Admission.
Explainer: For the presence of Capsaicin—Controlled Medication (Class B)—in a sample taken from Dontkissdaminister, who finished second at Gulfstream Park on 3/22/24. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).
Date: 04/26/2024
Licensee: Hernan Parra, trainer
Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission.
Explainer: For the presence of Dexamethasone—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Storm Creed, who won at Tampa Bay on 2/25/24. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).
Date: 04/26/2024
Licensee: Rodolfo Rodriguez, trainer
Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision by HIWU.
Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Try it Again on 3/16/24. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).
Date: 04/26/2024
Licensee: Amador Sanchez, trainer
Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on April 27, 2024; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $1,000; imposition of 2 Penalty Points.Admission.
Explainer: For the presence of Capsaicin—Controlled Medication (Class B)—in a sample taken from Grey Princess, who won at Gulfstream Park on 3/8/24. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).
Resolution Date: 04/25/2024
Licensee: Efren Loza Jr., trainer
Penalty: 18-month period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on April 17, 2024; 14-month period of Ineligibility for Covered Horse, beginning on February 14, 2024; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $12,500. Admission.
Explainer: For the presence of Clenbuterol—a banned substance—in a sample taken from Mexicoffee, who finished second at Gulfstream Park on 2/14/24. This was a possible violation of Rule 3212—Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers.
Pending ADMC Violations
Date: 05/01/2024
Licensee: Kieron Magee, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Vets' list medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Acepromazine—Controlled Medication (Class B)—in a sample taken from Bar Down Express on 3/27/24. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).
Date: 04/30/2024
Licensee: Eduardo Jones, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Vet's list medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Pine Valley on 3/30/24. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).
Date: 04/29/2024
Licensee: Arturo Chavez, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Capsaicin—Controlled Medication (Class B)—in a sample taken from Bye Bye Brooky, who won at Sunland Park on 3/7/24. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).
Date: 04/26/2024
Licensee: Jessica Howell, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Sotalol—Controlled Medication (Class B)—in a sample taken from Levanter, who won at Turfway Park on 3/16/24. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).
Date: 04/26/2024
Licensee: Paula Capestro, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Vets' list medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Acepromazine—Controlled Medication (Class B)—in a sample taken from Fight With Honor on 3/9/24. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).
Violations of Crop Rule
One important note: HISA's whip use limit is restricted to six strikes during a race.
Hawthorne
Alexis Centeno – violation date April 27; $250 fine and one-day suspension
Oaklawn Park
Francisco Joaquin Arrieta – violation date April 26; $250 fine and one-day suspension
Santa Anita
Abdul Alsagoor – violation date April 27; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 2 strikes over limit
Thistledown
Fernando Salazar Becerra – violation date April 25; $250 fine and one-day suspension
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