By Bill Finley
Trainer Keri Brion, whose stable includes both flat and steeplechase horses, has been provisionally suspended by the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) after a horse she trained allegedly tested positive for cocaine following a Sept. 19 race at Presque Isle Downs. The horse, Chasing After You (Speightstown), won the race, a $25,000 claiming event.
Provisional suspensions can result in suspensions of up to two years. The suspension has been postponed because Brion has yet to either request a split sample or inform HIWU that she has waived her right to have a split sample tested. Brion had one starter Saturday, sending out Crabs N Beer (Blofeld) to a fifth-place finish in the Maryland Million Turf S. at Laurel.
Brion took to X Friday to proclaim her innocence.
“For those of you who know me know that this is not an accurate depiction of my operation,” she tweeted. “I have retained a lawyer & we will fight to the end to clear my name. She came back w/a lvl under 200 PICOgrams–clear contamination. I'm hopeful facts/common sense will prevail.”
For those of you who know me know that this is not an accurate depiction of my operation. I have retained a lawyer & we will fight to the end to clear my name. She came back w/a lvl under 200 PICOgrams-clear contamination. I'm hopeful facts/ common sense will prevail 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/UCaKhOu8SD
— Keri Brion (@Keri145) October 13, 2023
Brion has hired attorney Drew Mollica.
“We are in the process of evaluating the evidence and will have more to say next week,” Mollica said. “We intend a vigorous defense of the case.”
The Brion matter was posted to the HIWU website Friday. Mollica said he was under the impression that HIWU suspensions would not be made public until after the results of a split sample had been received.
“I am surprised that before any B sample came back this became a public issue,” Mollica said.
Brion is the second trainer to be provisionally suspended for a cocaine positive in little more than a month. HIWU has charged that the R. McLane Hendriks-trainee Princess Javoncia (Animal Kingdom) tested positive for cocaine after an Aug. 16 race at Penn National.
Brion was a long-time assistant to Hall of Fame trainer Jonathan Sheppard before going out on her own in 2021 when Sheppard retired. She has won 73 races from 585 career starters. Her accomplishments include finishing one-two-three in the 2021 Jonathan Sheppard S., named for her mentor.
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