By Bill Finley
Trainer Mike Puype, whose accomplishments include two wins in the Breeders' Cup, has been provisionally suspended by the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit after two banned substances, levothyroxine and isoxuprine, were allegedly found on his possession.
The ruling against Puype was posted on the HIWU website Friday. The offense occurred Apr. 24.
According to Equibase, Puype has not started a horse since June 16.
When reached by phone Friday by the TDN, Puype said he would make a comment at a later date after he has had a chance to consult with his attorney. Levothyroxine is a medicine used to treat an underactive thyroid gland.
According to the Paulick Report, in August 2020, both the American Association of Equine Practitioners and Racing Medication and Testing Consortium issued warnings that the drug should not be used as a “wellness” supplement and should only be administered under the direction of a licensed veterinarian and based on a specific diagnosis.
According to petmd.com, isoxsuprine is a prescription vasodilator medication used to help improve blood circulation. It is used in horses for the treatment of lameness associated with navicular disease, sesamoiditis, and laminitis.
Puype has won 827 career races from 5,462 starters and has been training since 1998. Both of Puype's Breeders' Cup wins came with Mizdirection (Mizzen Mast), who won the GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint in 2012 and 2013.
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