Parx Racing-based trainer Michael V. Pino began serving a series of six consecutive 10-day suspensions for a like number of positive tests for the corticosteroid prednisolone over a two-month period in late 2021.
Pino began serving the first 10-day suspension on April 15. The bans continue through June 13. In addition to the suspensions, Pino was fined $500 for each of the six violations, and he received one multiple medication violation point for each positive test.
All of the violations occurred at Parx from October-December 2021.
The first violation came on Oct. 14, 2021, when Social Equality tested positive for prednisolone, which is a Class 4 medication with a C penalty class under the Association of Racing Commissioners International guidelines. Social Equality was subsequently disqualified from the win, with purse money redistributed.
Don't Tell Grandma, a winner on Nov. 23, was next to fail a test for prednisolone. Two horses then tested positive for the drug on Nov. 29: Dustwhirl Wonder (a winner) and Clear Cut (a fifth-place finisher).
Alrashaka tested positive after a Dec. 13 win, and the final positive came from Fran's Worrier, who finished second on Dec. 21.
All horses were disqualified from purse money and their placings.
Stewards originally suspended Pino 15 days for each positive test for a total of 90 days. He appealed, and the final reduced sanctions were announced on March 10 after Pino notified the Pennsylvania Horse Racing Commission that he was dropping the appeals.
Some of the horses trained by Pino have been entered in the name of trainer James Noble.
Pino, who began training in 1983, has recorded 2,016 career victories from 9,690 starts, for earnings of $43.9 million.
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