Weekly National Regulatory Rulings, Feb. 13-19

[Wandering Eyes]

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

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:
Date: 02/18/2025
Licensee: Raymond Valerio, 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 of HIWU.
Explainer: For the use or attempted use of a Class C controlled medication on Crypto Conspiracy during the race period.

Date: 02/18/2025
Licensee: Amador Sanchez, trainer
Penalty: 30-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on February 19, 2025; 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 $2,500; imposition of 2 Penalty Points.
Also: 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 Mayheminthepalace under 09/08/23 HISA Guidance. Final decision of internal arbitration panel.
Explainer: Medication violations for the presence of Lidocaine-a controlled substance (Class B)-in samples taken from Mayheminthepalace, who won at Remington Park on 10/4/24, and from Excuses, who finished second at Remington Park on 10/6/24.

Date: 02/17/2025
Licensee: Gerald Butler, trainer
Penalty: 20-month period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on February 18, 2025; a fine of $10,000; payment of $5,000 of HIWU's arbitration costs (Rule 3214(a)). Final decision by arbitral body.
Explainer: Possession of a banned substance, Levothyroxine, and acts of retaliation and threats/intimidation.

Date: 02/17/2025
Licensee: Jon Glenn Arnett, 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. Also: A fine of $500; imposition of 1 Penalty Point; referral to the relevant state or federal authority. Final decision by HIWU.
Explainer: Medication violations for the use or attempted use of a Class C controlled medication on Blessed Anna during the race period, and for “Possession of a Controlled Medication Substance or Controlled Medication Method not in compliance with applicable State or Federal law” for an event dated 9/28/24.

Date: 02/13/2025
Licensee: David Wayne Baker, trainer
Penalty: 15-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on February 14, 2025; 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 Mepivacaine-a controlled substance (Class B)-in a sample taken from Mars Magic, who won at Ferndale on 9/7/24.

Pending ADMC Violations:
02/14/2025, John Salzman, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Methocarbamol–Controlled Medication (Class C)–in a sample taken from Happy Hour Joker on 1/16/25.

02/14/2025, William Blair, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Triamcinolone–Controlled Medication (Class C)–in a sample taken from Dot on 1/19/25.

02/13/2025, Alejandro Mendieta, trainer: Pending medication violation for the use or attempted use of a Class C controlled medication on Pure Elegance during the race period.

02/13/2025, Roshan Samsundar, trainer: Pending medication violation for the use or attempted use of a Class C controlled medication on Gringotts during the race period.

02/12/2025, Todd Pletcher, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Betamethasone–Controlled Medication (Class C)–in a sample taken from Vassimo, who won at Gulfstream Park on 12/14/24. Read more on the story here.

Violations of Crop Rule:
Oaklawn Park
Francisco Joaquin Arrieta–violation date Feb. 16; $500 fine, two-day suspension
Francisco Joaquin Arrieta– violation date Feb. 14; $250 fine, one-day suspension

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