By Bill Finley
The New York Gaming Commission has suspended Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher 14 days and fined him $2,000 after a horse he trained tested positive for the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory phenylbutazone during a 2022 race at Saratoga.
Via text message, Pletcher said he is appealing the penalty. He declined to comment further.
The Paulick Report was first with the story.
The horse in question, Capensis (Tapit), was the even-money favorite in the 10th race at Saratoga on July 30, 2022 and finished sixth. He is owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Robert LaPenta, Gainesway Stable, Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC and Stonestreet Stables LLC. He has not run since winning the Sept. 6, 2022 GIII Virginia Derby. A gray colt, he sold for $2 million at the 2020 Keeneland September sale.
The ruling, which was posted to the Gaming Commission's website on Sunday , states that phenylbutazone was present at a concentration in excess of 0.3 micrograms per milliliter in violation of 9 NYCRR 4043.3 (a) (26).
Pletcher is also dealing with another suspension handed down by New York regulators. He was fined $1,000 and suspended 10 days after tests revealed that his trainee Forte (Violence) tested positive for Meloxicam following his win in the GI Hopeful S. last summer at Saratoga. Pletcher has appealed that suspension, as well.
In addition, Pletcher is facing two possible violations in Florida, where, according to Florida Gaming Control Commission Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering records posted online, he had a Class IV and Class V drug positive in December. According to reports, the Pletcher-trained Mind Control (Stay Thirsty) tested positive following the Sept. 24 Parx Dirt Mile, in which he was initially awarded the victory through disqualification. That case is also pending.
Asked why the New York case was just now coming to light, Brad Maione, the Director of Communications for the New York Gaming Commission said the following in an email to the TDN.
“By practice and procedure, when there is a possible rule infraction or violation, the Stewards set a time to meet, providing an affected party the informal opportunity address the matter. Following the meeting, the Stewards collectively evaluate potential rule infractions and, if appropriate, the State Steward will issue a ruling.
“Changes to the split-sample procedures have been instituted to reduce the ability of an affected party to game the system. Absent extraordinary circumstances, a trainer advised of a positive drug violation will now be afforded no more than two-weeks to identify and make arrangements for the split-sample to be tested…
Finally, you should be aware that the procedural processing of split-samples has remained constant since initiation. The Commission does not announce medication infractions until considered by the judges or stewards. As of Friday morning, there were three Thoroughbred and two Standardbred split-samples outstanding at a qualified, accredited independent laboratories. The Commission is awaiting return of their findings.”
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