Weekly Rulings: December 19-25

Every week, the TDN posts a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) related rulings from around the country.

Among the key rulings from the last week, trainer Bonnie Lucas was suspended seven days after a post-race Xylazine positive in a sample taken from Tankinator, who was injured and vanned off in a race at Parx Racing on Nov. 7. Xylazine is a Class B controlled medication under HISA that can be used to sedate racehorses.

It remains unclear whether Tankinator was euthanized as a result of his injuries sustained that day.

The 5-year-old gelding was having his first race for Lucas, having been claimed out of the Webster Gayle barn on Oct. 21. In a post-race sample taken Oct. 21, Tankinator tested positive for the corticosteroid Dexamethasone, a controlled medication commonly used as an anti-inflammatory.

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

Date: 11/13/2023
Licensee: Librado Barocio, trainer
Penalty: 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 Sugar Fish. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 11/13/2023
Licensee: Librado Barocio, trainer
Penalty: Treated as 1 violation with Sugar Fish under 09/08/23 HISA Guidance. Admission.
Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Barristan the Bold. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 11/08/2023
Licensee: Ilmar Loaiza, 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 Dexamethasone—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Roseinthesky, who finished second at Finger Lakes on 11/8/23. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 11/07/2023
Licensee: Bonnie Lucas, trainer
Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility, beginning on December 27, 2023; 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 Xylazine—Controlled Medication (Class B)—in a sample taken from Tankinator, who was pulled up and vanned off in a race at Parx Racing on 11/7/23. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 09/28/2023
Licensee: Terry Eoff, 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 Methocarbomal—Controlled Medications (Class C)—in a sample taken from Kentucky Dawn, who finished second at Remington Park on 9/28/23. 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: 12/08/2023
Licensee: Victor Barboza, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Medication violation
Explainer: A possible violation of Rule 3314—Use or Attempted Use of a Controlled Medication Substance or a Controlled Medication Method—on the horse, Long Range Toddy. This is also a possible violation of Rule 4222—Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout.

Date: 10/30/2023
Licensee: Robert Fiesman, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Little Four, who was euthanized after breaking down in a race at Mahoning Valley on 10/30/23, according to Equibase. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 10/06/2023
Licensee: Luis Mendez, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Methocarbamol—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Big Celebration, who finished third at Santa Anita on 10/6/23. 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.

Mahoning Valley
Erik Barbaran – violation date Dec 19; $250 fine, eight-day suspension, no further details of ruling

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.
The following was taken from the ARCI's “recent rulings” webpage, which isn't always updated contemporaneously.

FLORIDA
Track: Gulfstream Park
Date: 12/6/2023
Licensee: Alexis Camano, trainer
Penalty: suspended license
Violation: Unpaid financial obligations
Explainer: FINAL ORDER # 2022-051619 = F.S. VIOLATION – FINANCIAL OBLIGATION TO TEIGLAND, FRANKLIN, & BROKKEN, D.V.M.'S, INC. – LICENSE SUSPENDED BEGINNING 12/6/2023 FOR A PERIOD EXTENDING UNTIL ALL OUTSTANDING FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS HAVE BEEN FULLY SATISFIED.

Track: Gulfstream Park
Date: 12/6/2023
Licensee: Aubrey Maragh, trainer
Penalty: 15-day suspension, $1.500 fine
Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: FINAL ORDER 2023-003854 – F.S. 550.2415 VIOLATION = 5 HYDROXYDANTROLENE. “MODAZZLE” $1500 FINE, 15 DAY SUSPENSION – DATES TO BE DETERMINED BY STEWARDS, AND RETURN OF PURSE IMPOSED

Track: Gulfstream Park
Date: 12/6/2023
Licensee: Andry G. Blanco, owner
Penalty: suspended license
Violation: Unpaid financial obligations
Explainer: FINAL ORDER # 2023-046372 = F.S. VIOLATION – FINANCIAL OBLIGATION TO TEIGLAND, FRANKLIN, & BROKKEN, D.V.M.'S, INC. LICENSE SUSPENDED BEGINNING 12/6/2023 FOR A PERIOD EXTENDING UNTIL ALL OUTSTANDING FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS HAVE BEEN FULLY SATISFIED.