Weekly Rulings: July 18-24

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 Charles Essex has been suspended for 15 days and fined $1,000 after his trainee, The Golden Egg, tested positive for acepromazine after finishing second at Emerald Downs May 31.

A ubiquitous sedative across the nation's backstretches, acepromazine is a Class B controlled medication under HISA, a maximum first-time violation for which is what the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Unit (HIWU) meted out to Essex.

NEW HISA/HIWU STEWARDS RULINGS
The following rulings were reported on HISA's “rulings” portal and through the HIWU “pending” and “resolved” cases portals.

Resolved ADMC Violations
Date: 07/23/2024
Licensee: Ernesto Padilla-Preciado, trainer
Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission.
Explainer: Vets' list medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Dontinvademyspace on 6/21/24.

Date: 07/22/2024
Licensee: Victor Barboza, 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: Medication violation for the presence of Dantrolene—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Tiffany Gold, who won at Gulfstream Park on 5/12/24.

Date: 07/18/2024
Licensee: Charles Essex, trainer
Penalty: 15-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on July 19, 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. Final decision by HIWU.
Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine—Controlled Medication (Class B)—in a sample taken from The Golden Egg, who finished second at Emerald Downs on 5/31/24.

Pending ADMC Violations
07/23/2024, Saul Morales, trainer: Intra-articular injection within 7 days of a timed and reported workout on the horse Condemnation on 7/2/24.

07/23/2024, Paul McEntee, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Aminocaproic Acid—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Honors Legacy on 6/18/24.

07/23/2024, Fernando Abreu, trainer: Pending medication violation for the use or attempted use of Magnesium sulfate and Methylsalicylate—Controlled Medications (Class B and C respectively)—during the race period from an event dated 6/16/24.

07/22/2024, Juan Carlos Avila, trainer: Intra-articular injection within 7 days of a timed and reported workout on the horse Little Vic on 6/29/24.

07/22/2024, Carlos Martin, trainer: Intra-articular injection within 7 days of a timed and reported workout on the horse Autumn on 6/27/24.

07/22/2024, Tom Amoss, trainer: Intra-articular injection within 7 days of a timed and reported workout on the horse Baa De Yah on 6/26/24.

07/22/2024, Aaron Shorter, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Business as Usual on 6/18/24.

07/22/2024, Paul McEntee, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Cetirizine—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Thirsty Accountant, who finished second at Belterra Park on 6/5/24.

07/19/2024, Christopher Davis, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Flunixin—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Papa Yo, who finished fifth at Hawthorne on 5/18/24.

07/19/2024, William Mott, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Flunixin—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Authorize, who was euthanized after pulling up in a race at Aqueduct on 4/26/24.

07/19/2024, Mike Puype, trainer: Provisional suspension for the possession of Isoxsuprine and Levothyroxine—banned substances—from an event dated 4/24/24.
More on the story here.

07/18/2024, Raymond Handal, trainer: Medication violation for the presence of Betamethasone—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from He Has it All, who finished second at Aqueduct on 5/18/24.

Violations of Crop Rule
One important note: HISA's whip use limit is restricted to six strikes during a race.
COLONIAL DOWNS
Monica McGoey – violation date July 19; $500 fine, no other information available

DELAWARE PARK
Kirsten Swan – violation date July 20; 5250 fine and one-day suspension

DEL MAR
Joe Talamo – violation date July 20; 5250 fine and one-day suspension, 2 strikes over limit

SARATOGA
John Ortiz – violation date July 19; $500 fine, no other information available
Danilo Rave – violation date July 19; $500 fine and one-day suspension

THISTLEDOWN
Roberto Perez – violation date July 18; 5250 fine and one-day suspension

The TDN also publishes a round-up of key official rulings from the primary tracks within the four major racing jurisdictions of California, New York, Florida and Kentucky.
Here's a primer on how each of these jurisdictions adjudicates different offenses, what they make public (or not) and where.

CALIFORNIA
Del Mar
Date: 07/20/2024
Licensee: Ron Brewer, owner
Penalty: Owner Ron E. Brewer, having failed to respond to written notice to appear before the Board of Stewards at Del Mar Race Track on July 18, 2024, is suspended for violation of California Horse Racing Board rule #1547 (Failure to Appear), pending an appearance at a hearing before the Board of Stewards to answer to charges alleging violation of CHRB rule #1876 (Financial Responsibility $773.62 to Veterinarian San Dieguito Equine Group-Dr. Manno). Suspension to commence July 27, 2024.

Del Mar
Antonio Fresu – violation date July 21; Five-day suspension, careless riding