Every week, the TDN posts a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) related rulings from around the country.
This week's rulings include three lengthy suspensions. Trainer Francisco Ramos has been banned for two years and fined $25,000 after his trainee You're a Dandy (Mizzen Mast) who finished second at Hawthorne Feb. 14, tested positive for the bronchodilator Clenbuterol.
According to a final decision by the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU), Ramos apparently requested a B sample analysis but did not pay for it, which meant the B sample was ultimately waived. Ramos also reportedly failed to respond to the equine anti-doping charges levelled at him within the allotted time frame, therefore the charges were issued to him by default. The two-year ban started on May 30 this year.
Veterinarian Nicola Hardgrove has been suspended for 18-months and fined $12,500 after she was found in possession of Arsil, a banned substance, at Los Alamitos on July 23. According to HIWU, Arsil is an arsenic- containing pharmacological substance manufactured in Mexico. It's reportedly used in the treatment of stomach problems like ulcers.
The case was resolved without a final hearing. Hardgrove's ban started on Sept. 11.
And trainer Emma Jimenez Sanchez has been banned 18-months and fined $12,500 after she was found in possession of Adenosine Monophosphate (AMP)–a banned substance that is used as a dietary supplement to boost immune activity–during a barn search at Horseshoe Indianapolis Racetrack on July 30.
The case was resolved without a final hearing. Her ban began on Sept. 24.
NEW HISA/HIWU STEWARDS RULINGS
The following rulings were reported on HISA's “rulings” portal and through the HIWU “pending” and “resolved” cases portals.
Resolved ADMC Violations
Date: 11/04/2024
Licensee: Clarence King, trainer
Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on Nov. 5, 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: Medication violation for the presence of Flunixin–controlled medication (Class C)–in a sample taken from Teewinot Pass, who won at Parx Racing on 7/3/24.
Date: 11/04/2024
Licensee: Rodolphe Brisset, trainer
Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on Nov. 5, 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 Internal Adjudication Panel.
Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Lidocaine–Controlled Medication (Class B)–in a sample taken from Royal Spa, who finished second in the American Beauty Stakes on 2/3/24.
Date: 11/01/2024
Licensee: Dr. Nicola Hardgrove, veterinarian
Penalty: 18-month period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on Sept. 11, 2024; a fine of $12,500. Admission.
Explainer: Possession of Arsil–a banned substance–for an event dated 7/23/24.
Date: 10/30/2024
Licensee: Emma Jimenez Sanchez, trainer
Penalty: 18-month period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on Sept. 24, 2024; a fine of $12,500. Admission.
Explainer: Possession of Adenosine Monophosphate (AMP)–a banned substance–for an event dated 7/30/24.
Date: 10/30/2024
Licensee: Francisco Ramos, trainer
Penalty: 2-year period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on May 30, 2024; 14-month period of Ineligibility for Covered Horse, beginning on Apr. 14, 2024; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results on Apr. 14, 2024 and May 5, 2024, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $25,000. Final decision by HIWU.
Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Clenbuterol–a banned substance except under strict uses–in a sample taken from You're a Dandy, who finished second at Hawthorne on 4/14/24.
Pending ADMC Violations
11/06/2024, Kelly Von Hemel, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Cannabidiol (CBD)–a controlled substance (Class B)–in a sample taken from Jackie Sparrow, who finished second at Prairie Meadows on 8/25/24.
11/06/2024, Phil D'Amato, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Methamphetamine–a banned substance–in a sample taken from Thebestisyettobe on 8/1/24.
11/04/2024, Cirilo Gorostieta, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Tramadol–a controlled substance (Class B)–in a sample taken from Certain Victor E, who finished second at Belterra Park on 9/26/24.
11/05/2024, Doug O'Neill, trainer: Alleged use or attempted use of a Class C controlled medication on I'llhaveanotherwon during the race period on 8/24/24.
11/04/2024, Thomas Molloy, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine–a controlled substance (Class B)–in a sample taken from Lucy's Cakes Fly on 8/25/24.
11/01/2024, Jeff Hudson, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Flunixin–a controlled substance (Class C)–in a sample taken from Lenda Hand on 10/2/24.
11/01/2024, Kevin Eikleberry, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Magnesium Sulfate–a controlled substance (Class B)–in a sample taken from Alexiana, who won at Prairie Meadows on 9/28/24
11/01/2024, Efron Loza Jr., trainer: Provisional suspension for a vets' list medication violation for the presence of Clenbuterol–a banned substance except in strict circumstances–in samples taken from Lucago on 8/5/24 and again on 9/3/24.
10/30/2024, Bob Hess, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Tranexamic Acid–a controlled substance (Class C)–in a sample taken from Handy Dandy, who won at Del Mar on 8/25/24.
Violations of Crop Rule
One important note: HISA's whip use limit is restricted to six strikes during a race.
Churchill Downs
Mitchell Lee Murrill–violation date Nov. 2; One-day suspension, $750 fine
Del Mar
Juan Hernandez–violation date Oct. 31; Two-day suspension, $1,000 fine
Fanduel Sportsbook and Horse Racing
Víctor Jadhir Bailon–violation date Oct. 31; one-day suspension, $250 fine
Horseshoe Indianapolis
Yoel Navas–violation date Oct. 31; $100 fine
Mahoning Valley
Gaddiel Alberto Martínez colon–violation date Nov. 4; One-day suspension, $250 fine
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