Weekly Rulings: March 22-27

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

Among this most recent set of rulings, trainer Robert Fiesman was suspended seven days and fined $1,000 for his second positive finding for phenylbutazone since HISA's anti-doping and medication control program (ADMC) went into effect.

Phenylbutazone is a Class C controlled medication under HISA. A second Class C offense within a 2-year period comes with a maximum 15-day suspension and $1,000 fine.

Jonathan Maldonado has similarly been suspended seven days and fined $1,000 after his trainee, Kapadokya, tested positive for the Class B controlled medication, capsaicin, after winning at Laurel Park on Feb. 10. Capsaicin is a topical analgesic.

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: 03/26/2024
Licensee: Riley Tucker Mott, 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, Brian. This was also a possible violation of Rule 4222—Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout.

Resolution Date: 03/26/2024
Licensee: Sally Rivera, 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 Stormy Joe on 2/13/24. 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: 03/26/2024
Licensee: Robert Fiesman, trainer
Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility, beginning on March 27, 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 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission.
Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Zipsy Rose Lee, who finished second at Mahoning Valley on 2/6/24. 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: 03/25/2024
Licensee: Jonathan Maldonado, trainer
Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility, beginning on March 26, 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.
Explainer: For the presence of Capsaicin—Controlled Medication (Class B)—in a sample taken from Kapadokya, who won at Laurel Park on 02/10/24. 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: 03/21/2024
Licensee: Derek Ryan, 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 Dexamethasone—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Charging Aero, who finished second at Tampa Bay on 01/06/24. 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: 03/08/2024
Licensee: John Servis, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Pre-workout joint injection 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, Chance Occurrence. This is also a possible violation of Rule 4222—Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout.

Date: 03/08/2024
Licensee: Jeremiah Englehart, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Pre-workout joint injection 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, Dolce Veloce. This is also a possible violation of Rule 4222—Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout.

Date: 02/08/2024
Licensee: Javier Duarte, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Vet's list medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Albuterol by inhilation—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Shanghai Mike on 2/8/24. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 02/26/2024
Licensee: Miguel Rodriguez, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the potential breach of Rule 4221—Alkalinization or use/administration of an Alkalinizing Agent (TCO2)—on Ipsum Gratus, who finished eighth at Penn National on 2/26/2024. This is also a possible violation of Rule 3313—Use of a Controlled Method During the Race Period.

Date: 02/24/2024
Licensee: Bernell Rhone, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Dexamethasone—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Fury Cap, who finished third at Tampa Bay on 2/24/24. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).