Martin Suspended by Golden Gate Stewards

[Wandering Eyes]

Owner/trainer John Martin has been suspended by the Golden Gate stewards for one year and fined $20,000 after three horses in his care tested positive for a prohibited drug substance.

Three separate complaints were filed against Martin after the Maddy Laboratory reported the presence of ergoloid mesylates in the urine samples collected from three horses he ran at Golden Gate and the Big Fresno Fair. Those findings were confirmed by the split sample laboratory chosen by Martin.

Six months of the one-year suspension were stayed in accordance with a stipulated agreement between Martin and the California Horse Racing Board, provided he commits no other serious medication violations during his probation period.

The samples were collected from Ground Rules, who finished third in the first race at Golden Gate Mar. 21, 2019; Ralph Jacobs, who finished first in the seventh race in Fresno Oct. 4; and Ruled by Girls, who finished third in the fifth race in Fresno Oct. 4. While searching Martin’s barn, CHRB investigators also found three bottles of improperly labeled medications, considered contraband per CHRB Rule1890 (b).

Ergoloid mesylates, which are salts of the ergot alkaloids dihydroergocristine, dihydroergocornine, and dihydroergocryptine, are used in human medicine to treat Alzheimer’s and certain mood disorders. The trade name of the FDA approved formulation is Hydergine. Ergoloid mesylates are thought to be used in racing as an anti-bleeding treatment. That possibility, and due to their potential to affect cognitive function, the Association of Racing Commissioners classified the drug as Class 2/A.

 

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