Weekly Rulings: May 1-7

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 Pavel Matejka has four separate pending cases issued against him for cannabidiol (CBD) positives. The four cases occurred between Feb. 17 and March 15.
Under HISA, CBD is classified a Class B controlled substance, a first offense for which comes with a possible 15-day suspension and $1,000 fine.
The massive proliferation in CBD products for humans has spilled over into the equine world. The purported benefits from CBD use in horses include treatment of inflammation, ulcers, laminitis, colic, and decreased anxiety.
This trend has also led to several regulatory warnings issued to trainers in recent years about the largely unregulated market place for these products, leading to questions over purity, consistency and safety.

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: 05/06/2024
Licensee: Gary Stute, 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 Methocarbamol—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Sand to Sea, who finished second at Santa Anita on 2/16/24. 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: 05/01/2024
Licensee: Steve Knapp, 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 Methocarbamol—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Caribbean King, who won at Santa Anita on 2/17/24. 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: 05/07/2024
Licensee: Terri Eaton, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Vet's list medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Acepromazine—Controlled Medication (Class B)—in a sample taken from Do it for Dave on 4/5/24. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 05/03/2024
Licensee: Pavel Matejka, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Cannabidiol (CBD)—Controlled Medication (Class B)—in a sample taken from Calrissian, who finished second at Oaklawn Park on 3/15/24; in a sample taken from Erna, who finished third at Turfway Park on 2/24/24; and in a sample taken from Calrissian, who finished second at Oaklawn Park on 2/23/24. 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
Danilo Grisales Rave – violation date May 2; $250 fine and one-day suspension

GOLDEN GATE FIELDS
Catalino Martinez – violation date May 4; $250 fine and one-day suspension

HORSESHOE INDIANAPOLIS
Magdaleno Salazar – violation date May 1; $250 fine and one-day suspension
German Terraza – violation date May 1; $250 fine and one-day suspension
Alberto Burgos – violation date May 1; $250 fine and one-day suspension

OAKLAWN PARK
Francisco Joaquin Arrieta – violation date May 3; $250 fine and one-day suspension

TAMPA BAY DOWNS
Alex Gonzalez – violation date May 3; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 2 strikes over limit

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.

NEW YORK
Track: Aqueduct
Date: 05/03/2024
Licensee: Justin Rivera, trainer
Penalty: $500 fine
Explainer: Trainer Mr. Justin Rivera is hereby fined the sum of five ($500.00) hundred dollars for failing to tend to business in a professional manner necessitating a late scratch of Horse “Sig” in the 7th race at Aqueduct Racetrack on May 3rd 2024.

Track: Aqueduct
Date: 05/02/2024
Licensee: Isaac Castillo, jockey
Penalty: Three-day suspension
Violation: Careless riding
Explainer:  Jockey Mr. Isaac Castillo is hereby suspended three (3) NYRA racing days May 5th 2024, May 9th 2024, May 10th 2024 inclusive. This for careless riding during the running of the 3rd race at Aqueduct Racetrack on April 28th 2024.

Track: Aqueduct
Date: 05/02/2024
Licensee: Keith Doleshel, racing official
Penalty: $2,000 fine
Violation: Administrative error
Explainer: Racing Secretary Mr. Keith Doleshel is hereby fined the sum of two ($2,000) dollars for failing to tend to business in a professional manner, necessitating a scratch in the 8th race at Aqueduct racetrack on May 2nd 2024.
Read more on the story here.