By J.N. Campbell
Trainer Ron Moquett, who is a dual member of the HBPA board and the HISA Horseman's Advisory Committee, was not charged with any fines nor penalties May 29 by HISA's ADMC program after MGSP Speed Bias (Uncle Mo) was found last fall to have Mepivacaine–a controlled medication–in his system, according to a tweet sent out by the Arkansas-based conditioner on Thursday afternoon.
The post-race test was administered after the gelding finished third in the GII Hagyard Fayette S. at Keeneland Oct. 28. Moquett was informed of the split sample result Nov. 27 and an internal adjudication panel heard his case May 17.
“I was shocked at the news and it's something that you don't want to believe,” said Moquett, when he was reached by phone on Thursday. “I began to investigate, but I had never heard of Mepivacaine, so I spoke to my vet and learned that it was used when you castrate a horse.”
Moquett's records proved that a 2-year-old colt in his care named Atomic (Mitole) was gelded nine days prior to Speed Bias being in that same stall.
“We started by working backwards, but it wasn't just with the help of my staff,” he said. “Keeneland provided the video evidence, which was crucial to showing who entered the stall and when.”
According to Moquett, he hired an attorney who put together a witness list, so the trainer could defend himself in front of the adjudication panel. Dr. Nicole Wettstein provided testimony that she performed the surgical procedure known as a “standing castration” and administered 1000mg of Mepivacaine on Atomic.
Expert testimony was added by Dr. Foster Northrup, DVM and Dr. Kimberly Brewer, DVM, who corroborated that Speed Bias's lab results were consistent with inadvertent exposure to Mepivacaine.
Video evidence provided by Keeneland and testimony by assistant trainer Chance Moquett proved that the stall was thoroughly cleaned and disinfected prior to Speed Bias's arrival at Keeneland.
“Luckily we had the evidence and the opportunity to plead our case,” said Moquett. “It cost resources, but I'm not getting hired because of my win percentage. I'm getting hired because of our commitment to the horse.”
In the end, the panel ruled that Moquett did exercise the utmost caution when it came to preparing and attempting to decontaminate Speed Bias's stall. Even though no specific period of ineligibility or financial penalty was levied, Speed Bias was disqualified from the Fayette S., and all purse money, prizes and awards were forfeited.
— Moquett Racing (@MoquettRacing97) May 30, 2024
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