By Dan Ross
Every week, the TDN posts a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA)-related rulings from around the country.
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: 10/09/2024
Licensee: Phillip Capuano, 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 Dexamethasone-a controlled substance (Class C)-in a sample taken from X Gene, who finished second at Timonium on 8/30/24.
Date: 10/08/2024
Licensee: James Lawrence II, 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 My Boss Lady, who finished second at Delaware Park on 8/22/24.
Date: 10/08/2024
Licensee: Joaquin Lopez, trainer
Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision by HIWU.
Explainer: Vets' list medication violation for the presence of Flunixin-a controlled substance (Class C)-in a sample taken from She's an Angel on 8/28/24.
Date: 10/04/2024
Licensee: Carlos Ramirez, trainer
Penalty: Combined fine of $1,000; imposition of 3 Penalty Points. Admission.
Explainer: Vets' list medication violations for the presence of Ketoprofen-Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Darnell on 8/23/24, and for the presence of Aminocaproic Acid-Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Darnell on 8/24/24.
Date: 10/04/2024
Licensee: Michael Hewitt, trainer
Penalty: 15-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on October 5, 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 internal adjudication panel.
Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Capsaicin-Controlled Medication (Class B)-in a sample taken from Shacks Way who won at Oaklawn Park on 4/7/24.
Date: 10/03/2024
Licensee: William Cowans, trainer
Penalty: A written Reprimand; a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Treated as 1 violation under 09/08/23 HISA Guidance. Admission.
Explainer: Vets' list medication violation for the presence of Omeprazole-Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Know Who You Are on 12/12/23, and vets' list medication violation for the presence of Omeprazole and Pentoxifylline-both Controlled Medications (Class C)-in a sample taken from Big Philly on 8/15/24.
Date: 10/02/2024
Licensee: Michael Maker, trainer
Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission.
Explainer: Vets' list medication violation for the presence of Glycopyrrolate-controlled medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Lt. Mitchell 8/25/24.
Date: 10/02/2024
Licensee: Chris Englehart, 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. Final decision by HIWU.
Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Methocarbamol-controlled medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Hypnocurrency, who won at Finger Lakes on 7/30/24.
Pending ADMC Violations
10/09/2024, Edmund Davis, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone-a controlled substance (Class C)-in a sample taken from Drinking Solo, who finished third at Finger Lakes on 9/4/24.
10/09/2024, Michelle Hemingway, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Dexamethasone-a controlled substance (Class C)-in a sample taken from Americandreammaker, who won at Colonial Downs on 8/31/24.
10/08/2024, Vance Childers, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Triamcinolone-a controlled substance (Class C)-in a sample taken from Majestic Attack, who finished seventh at Fanduel Sportsbook and Horse Racing on 9/3/24.
10/04/2024, Juan Arriagada, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine-a controlled substance (Class B)-in a sample taken from Royal Luck on 9/3/24.
10/04/2024, Carla Gaines, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Flunixin-a controlled substance (Class C)-in a sample taken from Big Summer, who won at Del Mar on 8/1/24.
10/03/2024, G. Allan Middleton, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Methocarbamol-a controlled substance (Class C)-in a sample taken from Crossfire Cowgirl on 8/30/24.
Violations of Crop Rule
One important note: HISA's whip use limit is restricted to six strikes during a race.
Horseshoe Indianapolis
Marcelino Pedroza – violation date October 3; One-day suspension, $250 fine
The TDN also publishes a roundup 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
Santa Anita
Antonio Fresu – violation date October 4; Three-day suspension for careless riding
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