By Dan Ross
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 Candelario Villamar has been suspended 15-days and fined $1,000 after his trainee, Olivia's Choice, tested positive for capsaicin when finishing third at Turf Paradise on Feb. 26.
A Class B controlled medication under HISA, capsaicin is the active ingredient in chilli peppers causing burning and irritation, and can be found in topical analgesics.
Trainer Valorie Lund has been banned seven days and fined $1,000 after Amaretto Di Amore tested positive for gabapentin when finishing second at Turf Paradise on Feb. 26.
Gabapentin is a Class B controlled medication under HISA that is an FDA human-approved anticonvulsant used to treat conditions like epilepsy, postherpetic neuralgia and in the treatment of partial onset seizures.
There is currently no detailed explanation behind these rulings posted on HIWU's website.
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: 04/24/2024
Licensee: Valorie Lund, trainer
Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on April 25, 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. Admission.
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 2/26/24. 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: 04/23/2024
Licensee: Carlo Vaccarezza, 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, Little Blaze. This was also a possible violation of Rule 4222–Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout.
Resolution Date: 04/23/2024
Licensee: Jose Garoffalo, 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 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).
Resolution Date: 04/22/2024
Licensee: Danny Gargan, 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, Cool Operator. This was also a possible violation of Rule 4222–Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout.
Resolution Date: 04/22/2023
Licensee: Richard Baltas, trainer
Penalty: 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 Highly Desirable on 03/23/24. 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: 04/22/2024
Licensee: Ruben Alvarado, 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, One Smokin Moon. This was also a possible violation of Rule 4222-Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout.
Resolution Date: 04/22/2024
Licensee: Candelario Villamar, trainer
Penalty: 15-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on April 23, 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. Final decision by HIWU.
Explainer: For the presence of Capsaicin-Controlled Medication (Class B)-in a sample taken from Olivia's Choice, who finished third at Turf Paradise on 02/26/24. 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: 04/22/2024
Licensee: Ron Rozell, trainer
Penalty: None. Withdrawal of Equine Anti-Doping Charge/Moved to and Resolved under Atypical Finding Policy.
Explainer: For the presence of Pemoline–a banned substance–in a sample taken from Bavaria. This was a possible violation of Rule 3212–Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).
Resolution Date: 04/18/2024
Licensee: Bill McLean, 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 Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO)-Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Street Tiger, who finished fourth at Golden Gate on 3/2/24. 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: 04/18/2023
Licensee: Bret Calhoun, 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); treated as 1 violation with Dixon Tuff under 9/8/23 HISA Guidance. Final decision by internal adjudication panel.
Explainer: For the presence of Diclofenac-Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Ain't Broke, who won at Churchill Downs on 09/21/23. 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: 4/18/2024
Licensee: Bret Calhoun, 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 internal adjudication panel.
Explainer: For the presence of Diclofenac-Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Tatanka, who finished eleventh at Churchill Downs A on 9/14/23. 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: 04/23/2023
Licensee: Steve Knapp, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Methocarbamol-Controlled Medication (Class C)–in a sample taken from Caribbean King, who won at Santa Anita on 2/17/23. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312–Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).
Date: 04/23/2023
Licensee: Gary Stute, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Medication violation
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 2/16/23. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312–Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).
Date: 04/22/2024
Licensee: Isidro Tamayo, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Dexamethasone-Controlled Medication (Class C)–in a sample taken from Dust Maker, who won at Turf Paradise on 4/2/24. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312–Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).
Date: 04/18/2024
Licensee: Amador Sanchez, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Capsaicin-Controlled Medication (Class B)–in a sample taken from Dontkissdaminister, who finished second at Gulfstream Park on 3/22/24. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312–Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).
Date: 04/18/2024
Licensee: Matthew Fales, 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 Rantanen, who finished third at Turf Paradise on 3/21/24. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312–Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).
Date: 04/18/2024
Licensee: Arturo Chavez, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Capsaicin-Controlled Medication (Class B)–in a sample taken from Jr's Confidence, who won at Sunland Park on 03/15/24. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312–Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).
Date: 04/18/2024
Licensee: Casey Lambert, trainer
Penalty: Provisionally suspended
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Methamphetamine–a banned substance–in a sample taken from Storey's Fury, who won at Sunland Park on 2/9/24. This is a possible violation of Rule 3212-Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Marker.
Violations of Crop Rule
One important note: HISA's whip use limit is restricted to six strikes during a race.
Fanduel Sportsbook and Horse Racing
Juan Molina – violation date April 20; 250 fine and no other public details provided
Horseshoe Indianapolis
Jaime Torres – violation date April 23; $250 fine and one-day suspension
Oaklawn Park
Rafael Bejarano – violation date April 20; $250 fine and one-day suspension
Santa Anita
Kyle Frey – violation date April 19; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 2 strikes over limit
Tyler Baze – violation date April 20; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 2 strikes over limit
Victor Espinoza – violation date April 21; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 1 strike over limit
Tampa Bay
Jose Torrealba – violation date April 20; $250 fine and one-day suspension
Angel Castillo – violation date April 21; $250 fine and one-day suspension
Jacinto Herrera – violation date April 21; $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.
California
Track: Santa Anita
Date: 04/19/2024
Licensee: Antonio Fresu, jockey
Penalty: Three-day suspension
Violation: Careless riding
Explainer: Having received notice from the California Horse Racing Board that the appeal of LATC Ruling #34 issued at Santa Anita Park on Oct. 21, 2023, has been overruled, the original ruling is reinstated. Jockey Antonio Fresu is suspended for three racing days (Apr. 27-28, and May 3, 2024).
New York
Track: Aqueduct
Date: 04/21/2024
Licensee: Gokhan Kocakaya
Penalty: Three-day suspension
Violation: Careless riding
Explainer: Jockey Mr. Gokhan Kocakaya for having waived his right to an appeal is hereby suspended three NYRA racing days May 5, 2024, May 9.2024, May 10, 2024 inclusive. This for careless riding during the running of the 1st race at Aqueduct Racetrack on Apr. 19, 2024.
Kentucky
Track: Keeneland
Date: 04/16/2024
Licensee: Walter Rodriguez, jockey
Penalty: Three-day suspension
Violation: Careless riding
Explainer: After a hearing before the Board of Stewards, Walter A. Rodriguez, who rode fracture in the fourth race at Keeneland on Apr. 13, 2024, is hereby suspended three racing days, Apr. 21, Apr. 24 and Apr. 25, 2024 for careless riding in the stretch that resulted in the disqualification of his mount.
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