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 Gerald Brooks has been suspended seven days for a post-race gabapentin positive dating from Sept. 4. The case was resolved without a hearing.
Gabapentin is a Class B controlled drug under HISA, and used as an anti-seizure medicine in humans. Brooks was cited in January for a post-race phenylbutazone positive.
NEW HISA/HIWU STEWARDS RULINGS
The following rulings were reported on HISA's “rulings” portal and through the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit's (HIWU) “pending” and “resolved” cases portals.
RESOLVED ADMC VIOLATIONS
Resolution Date: 02/20/2024
Licensee: Gerard Ochoa, 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: For the presence of Phenylbutazone–Controlled Medication (Class C)–in a sample taken from Unxpected Tiger, who finished second at Tampa Bay on 12/31/23. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312–Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).
Resolution Date: 02/20/2024
Licensee: Anthony Carango, 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: For the presence of Glycopyrrolate–Controlled Medication (Class C)–in a sample taken from Esor, who finished second at Parx Racing on 12/19/23. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312–Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).
Resolution Date: 02/19/2024
Licensee: Richard Dutrow, trainer
Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission.
Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone–Controlled Medication (Class C)–in an out-of-competition sample taken from Cage Match on 1/12/24. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312–Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).
Resolution Date: 02/19/2024
Licensee: Arnold Torres, trainer
Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission.
Explainer: For the presence of Triamcinolone–Controlled Medication (Class C)–in an out-of-competition sample taken from Its Thievery on 1/12/24. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312–Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).
Resolution Date: 02/19/2024
Licensee: Robert Dibona, trainer
Penalty: A fine of $3,000; imposition of 3 Penalty Points. Admission.
Explainer: A possible violation of Rule 3314–Use or Attempted Use of a Controlled Medication Substance or a Controlled Medication Method–on the horse, Surrogate. This was also a possible violation of Rule 4222–Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout.
Resolution Date: 02/15/2024
Licensee: Gustavo Delgado, trainer
Penalty: A fine of $3,000; imposition of 3 Penalty Points. Admission.
Explainer: A possible violation of Rule 3314–Use or Attempted Use of a Controlled Medication Substance or a Controlled Medication Method–on the horse, Ocean Vision. This was also a possible violation of Rule 4222–Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout.
Resolution Date: 02/15/2024
Licensee: Gerald Brooks, trainer
Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility, beginning on February 16, 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: For the presence of Gabapentin–Controlled Medication (Class B)–in a sample taken from Breezy Connection, who finished second at Timonium on 09/04/23. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312–Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).
Pending ADMC Violations
Date: 01/07/2024
Licensee: Erin Carpio, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Out-of-competition medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Acepromazine–Controlled Medication (Class B)–in a sample taken from Nazareno on 1/7/24. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).
Date: 11/11/2023
Licensee: James Watkins, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Xylazine–Controlled Medication (Class B)–in a sample taken from Dennis's Pride, who finished fifth at Fanduel Sportsbook and Horse Racing on 11/11/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312–Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).
VIOLATIONS OF CROP RULE
One important note: HISA's whip use limit is restricted to six strikes during a race.
AQUEDUCT
Dylan Scott Thomas – violation date Feb 16; $250 fine and one-day suspension
GOLDEN GATE FIELDS
Catalino Martinez – violation date Feb 16; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 8 strikes
SANTA ANITA
Juan Hernandez – violation date Feb 18; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 8 strikes
Santiago Gonzalez – violation date Feb 18; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 7 strikes
OTHER KEY RULINGS
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
Track: Santa Anita
Date: 02/16/2024
Licensee: Diego Herrera, jockey
Penalty: Three-day suspension
Violation: Careless riding
Explainer: Jockey Diego Herrera, who rode Zzyzx in the third race at Santa Anita Park on February 15, 2024, is suspended for 3 racing days (February 23, 24 and 25, 2024) for crossing over without sufficient clearance going into the first turn, causing interference; a violation of California Horse Racing Board rule #1699 (Riding Rules – careless riding).
Track: Santa Anita
Date: 02/17/2024
Licensee: Kyle Frey, jockey
Penalty: Three-day suspension
Violation: Careless riding
Explainer: Jockey Kyle Frey, who rode Ghostly Act in the first race at Santa Anita Park on February 16, 2024, is suspended for 3 racing days (February 24, 25 and March 1, 2024) for failure to make the proper effort to maintain a straight course in the stretch, causing interference, resulting in the disqualification of his mount from second to fourth; a violation of California Horse Racing Board rule #1699 (Riding Rules-careless riding).
Track: Santa Anita
Date: 02/18/2024
Licensee: Joel Rosario, jockey
Penalty: One-day suspension
Violation: Participated in designated races out of state
Explainer: Jockey Joel Rosario is suspended for 1 additional racing day (February 25, 2024) pursuant California Horse Racing Board rule #1766(g) (Designated Races–participated in designated races out of state on February 18, 2024).
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