Pletcher Hit With Suspension for Bute Positive

[Wandering Eyes]

The New York Gaming Commission has suspended Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher 14 days and fined him $2,000 after a horse he trained tested positive for the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory phenylbutazone during a 2022 race at Saratoga.

Via text message, Pletcher said he is appealing the penalty. He declined to comment further.

The Paulick Report was first with the story.

The horse in question, Capensis (Tapit), was the even-money favorite in the 10th race at Saratoga on July 30, 2022 and finished sixth. He is owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Robert LaPenta, Gainesway Stable, Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC and Stonestreet Stables LLC. He has not run since winning the Sept. 6, 2022 GIII Virginia Derby. A gray colt, he sold for $2 million at the 2020 Keeneland September sale.

The ruling, which was posted to the Gaming Commission's website on Sunday , states that phenylbutazone was present at a concentration in excess of 0.3 micrograms per milliliter in violation of 9 NYCRR 4043.3 (a) (26).

Pletcher is also dealing with another suspension handed down by New York regulators. He was fined $1,000 and suspended 10 days after tests revealed that his trainee Forte (Violence) tested positive for Meloxicam following his win in the GI Hopeful S. last summer at Saratoga. Pletcher has appealed that suspension, as well.

In addition, Pletcher is facing three possible violations in Florida, where, according to Florida Gaming Control Commission Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering records posted on line, he had a Class IV and Class V drug positive in December and a Class IV drug positive in February. According to reports, the Pletcher-trained Mind Control (Stay Thirsty) tested positive following the Sept. 24 Parx Dirt Mile, in which he was initially awarded the victory through disqualification. That case is also pending.

The post Pletcher Hit With Suspension for Bute Positive appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

View the full article