Weekly Stewards and Commissions Rulings, Apr. 10-17

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, the focus once again has been on intra-articular injections before workouts.

As it stands, HISA imposes a seven-day prohibition of any inter-articular injection of any joint prior to a timed workout, and a 14-day ban prior to a race. Proposed rules currently before the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) would add additional wrinkles to this rule.

These proposed rules would bar a horse treated with any corticosteroid intra-articular injection of the metacarpophalangeal or metatarsophalangeal joints—in other words, the front and hind fetlock joints—from working for 14 days and racing for 30 days following treatment.

Six separate trainers were this past week sanctioned for breaching the current joint injection rule before workouts, each issued a $3,000 fine. One new trainer has an additional case pending.

In the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit's (HIWU) annual report posted last week, the agency detailed 53 intra-articular injection-related notices filed, and 35 separate charges issued, since the implementation of the anti-doping and medication control (ADMC) program in May of last year.

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: 04/17/2024

Licensee: Luis Mendez, trainer

Penalty: A written reprimand (per 9/26/23 HISA Guidance); 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). Admission.

Explainer: For the presence of Omeprazole—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Mr Big Bucks, who finished fourth at Santa Anita on 3/8/24. 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: 04/16/2024

Licensee: Sergio Morfin, 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 Trouble N Paradise, who finished fourth at Santa Anita on 3/8/24. 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: 04/15/2024

Licensee: Eddie Milligan, 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, Tapit Jenallie. This was also a possible violation of Rule 4222—Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout.

Resolution Date: 04/15/2024

Licensee: Jane Cibelli, trainer

Penalty: A fine of $3,000; imposition of 3 Penalty Points. Final decision by HIWU.

Explainer: A possible violation of Rule 3314—Use or Attempted Use of a Controlled Medication Substance or a Controlled Medication Method—on the horse, Inveigled. This was also a possible violation of Rule 4222—Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout.

Resolution Date: 04/15/2024

Licensee: Sal Gonzalez, trainer

Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision by HIWU.

Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Mentirosa on 3/1/24. 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: 04/12/2024

Licensee: Richard Mandella, 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, Ice Dancing. This was also a possible violation of Rule 4222—Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout.

Resolution Date: 04/12/2024

Licensee: Miguel Hernandez, trainer

Penalty: A fine of $3,000; imposition of 3 Penalty Points. Final decision by HIWU.

Explainer: A possible violation of Rule 3314—Use or Attempted Use of a Controlled Medication Substance or a Controlled Medication Method—on the horse, Arizona Andrew. This was also a possible violation of Rule 4222—Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout.

Resolution Date: 04/11/2024

Licensee: Wendell Matt, 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 Dixon Tuff on 3/5/24. 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: 04/11/2024

Licensee: Wendell Matt, trainer

Penalty: Treated as 1 violation with Dixon Tuff under 9/8/23 HISA Guidance. Admission.

Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Fire When Ready on 3/5/24. 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: 04/10/2024

Licensee: William Scattergood Meister, Jr., 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, Scoretosettle. This was also a possible violation of Rule 4222—Intra Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout.

Resolution Date: 04/10/2024

Licensee: Jeremiah Englehart, trainer

Penalty: A fine of $3,000; imposition of 3 Penalty Points. Final decision by HIWU.

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 was also a possible violation of Rule 4222—Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout.

Pending ADMC Violations

Date: 02/25/2024

Licensee: Hernan Parra, trainer

Penalty: Pending

Alleged violation: Medication violation

Explainer: For the presence of Dexamethasone—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Storm Creed, who won at Tampa Bay on 2/25/24. This was 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: Valorie Lund, trainer

Penalty: Pending

Alleged violation: Medication violation

Explainer: For the presence of Gabapentin—Controlled Medication (Class B)—in a sample taken from Amaretto Di Amore, who finished second at Turf Paradise on 02/26/24. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 04/06/2024

Licensee: Carlo Vaccarezza, 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, Little Blaze. This is also a possible violation of Rule 4222—Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout.

Date: 03/09/2024

Licensee: Jose Garoffalo, trainer

Penalty: Pending

Alleged violation: What appears to be a vet's list medication violation

Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Sarawat on 03/09/24. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 03/16/2024

Licensee: George Weaver, trainer

Penalty: Pending

Alleged violation: Medication violation

Explainer: For the presence of Metformin—a banned substance—in a sample taken from Anna's Wish, who finished third in the Cicada S. at Aqueduct on 3/16/24. This is a possible violation of Rule 3212—Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers.

Read more on the story here.

Date: 03/16/2024

Licensee: Rodolfo Rodriguez, trainer

Penalty: Pending

Alleged violation: Vet's list medication violation

Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Try it Again on 03/16/24. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Violations of Crop Rule

One important note: HISA's whip use limit is restricted to six strikes during a race.

Golden Gate Fields

Santos Rivera – violation date April 12; $250 fine and one-day suspension

Epifanio Garcia – violation date April 13; $250 fine and one-day suspension

Alexis Armando Espinoza – violation date April 13; $250 fine and one-day suspension

Keeneland

Joe Bealmear – violation date April 10; 250 fine and no other public details provided

Mahoning Valley

Jose Leon – violation date April 13; $250 fine and one-day suspension

Oaklawn Park

Joe Bealmear – violation date April 10; $250 fine and one-day suspension

Erik Mark Asmussen – violation date April 13; $250 fine and one-day suspension

Tampa Bay

Jose Alonso – violation date April 14; $250 fine and one-day suspension

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: 04/13/2024

Licensee: Jose Gomez, jockey

Penalty: Three-day suspension

Violation: Careless riding

Explainer: Jockey Mr. Jose Antonio Gomez is hereby suspended three (3) NYRA racing days April 25th 2024, April 26th 2024, April 27th 2024 inclusive. This for careless riding during the running of the 8th race at Aqueduct Racetrack on March 30th 2024.

Track: Aqueduct

Date: 04/13/2024

Licensee: Dylan Davis, jockey

Penalty: Three-day suspension

Violation: Careless riding

Explainer: Jockey Mr. Dylan Davis is hereby suspended three (3) NYRA racing days. This for careless riding during the running of the 1st race at Aqueduct Racetrack on April 11th 2024 having appealed a stay has been granted.