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.
Among this week's rulings, trainer Paul Valery has been banned a total 108 months and fined a combined $75,000 for several medication violations. His suspension period began on May 14 this year and concludes May 14, 2033.
According to the five separate resolutions listed on the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU)'s website, the Valery-trained Quincy Café and Pure Speight tested positive for Formestane and 4-Hydroxytestosterone–both banned steroidal substances–after winning at Gulfstream Park on Mar. 13 and Apr. 21 respectively.
According to HIWU, Valery administered several controlled and banned substances to Quincy Café, who finished fourth at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 7, within the race-day period when just feed, hay and water are permitted. He was also found in possession of two products containing Dehydroepiandrosterone (a banned substance) at Gulfstream Park on May 14.
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: 11/19/2024
Licensee: Isidro Castro, 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 Triamcinolene-a controlled substance (Class C)-in a sample taken from Bourbon Delight, who finished third at Hawthorne on 9/8/24.
Date: 11/19/2024
Licensee: Cirilo Gorostieta, trainer
Penalty: 15-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on November 20, 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 Tramadol-a controlled substance (Class B)-in a sample taken from Certain Victor E, who finished second at Belterra Park on 9/26/24.
Date: 11/18/2024
Licensee: Christopher Davis, trainer
Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on November 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 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission.
Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Dantrolene-a controlled substance (Class C)-in a sample taken from Morunning, who finished second at Keeneland on 10/10/24.
Date: 11/15/2024
Licensee: Ruby Thomas, trainer
Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission.
Explainer: Vets' list medication violation for the presence of Dantrolene-a controlled substance (Class C)-in a sample taken from Crystal Proof on 10/13/24.
Date: 11/14/2024
Licensee: Kelly Von Hemel, trainer
Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on November 15, 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: Medication violation for the presence of Cannabidiol (CBD)-a controlled substance (Class B)-in a sample taken from Jackie Sparrow, who finished second at Prairie Meadows on 8/25/24.
Date: 11/14/2024
Licensee: Efren Loza, trainer
Penalty: Equine anti-doping notices withdrawn. No consequences imposed.
Explainer: There had been alleged vets' list medication violations for the presence of Clenbuterol-a banned substance except in strict circumstances-in samples taken from Lucago on 8/5/24 and again on 9/3/24.
Date: 11/14/2024
Licensee: Robert Hess, 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 of HIWU.
Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Tranexamic Acid-a controlled substance (Class C)-in a sample taken from Handy Dandy, who won at Del Mar on 8/25/24.
Date: 11/14 and 11/15/2024
Licensee: Paul Valery, trainer
Penalty: 108-month suspension for multiple violations, $75,000 fine (combined).
Explainer: Medication violations for the presence of Formestane and 4-Hydroxytestosterone-both banned substances-in a sample taken from QuincyCafe, who won at Gulfstream Park on 3/13/24, and from Pure Speight, who won at Gulfstream Park on 4/21/24. Race-day medication violations for the use or attempted use of two banned substances-Gamma Aminobutyric Acid and Prasterone-as well as three controlled substances on Quincy Café, who finished fourth at Gulfstream Park on 1/7/24. And charged with possessing two products containing a banned substance on 5/14/24.
Date: 11/13/2024
Licensee: Allan Shuchman, trainer
Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on November 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 $1,000; imposition of 2 Penalty Points. Admission.
Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Capsaicin-a controlled substance (Class C)-in a sample taken from Wahoowa Wahoowa, who won at Penn National on 10/23/24.
Date: 11/13/2024
Licensee: Doug O'Neill, 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: Use or attempted use of a Class C controlled medication on I'llhaveanotherwon during the race period on 8/24/24. According to the case resolution, “on August 24, 2024, prior to Race 10 at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, California, an employee of Mr. O'Neill administered an equine supplement product to the Covered Horse I'llhaveanotherwon,” when “only feed, hay, and water are permitted during the Race Period.”
Pending ADMC Violations
11/19/2024, Amador Sanchez, trainer: Pending medication violations for the presence of Lidocaine-a controlled substance (Class B)-in samples taken from Mayheminthepalace, who won at Remington Park on 10/4/24, and from Excuses, who finished second at Remington Park on 10/6/24.
11/15/2024, Matt Hebert, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine-a controlled substance (Class C)-in a sample taken from Ranch Badge, who won at Remington Park on 9/5/24.
11/15/2024, Efron Loza, Jr., trainer: Provisional suspension for the use or attempted use of Clenbuterol-a banned substance except in strict circumstances-on the horse Lucago on an event dated 8/5/24.
Violations of Crop Rule
Due to current technical issues with the HISA rulings website, we will update next week's weekly rulings with any crop violations from this week.
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