A Kentucky Horse Racing Commission ruling dated Aug. 26, 2023, has officially disqualified Phil D'Amato-trained Hong Kong Harry from his second-place finish in the Grade 1 Turf Classic on the Kentucky Derby undercard on May 6 due to a post-race finding of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory mofebutazone.
According to an advisory from the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium dated May 19, 2023, mofebutazone is an analogue of phenylbutazone exhibiting a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) mechanism of action. Mofebutazone does not have FDA approval for use in any species.
(As it lacks FDA approval, mofebutazone would be classified as a Banned Substance by HISA's Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) regulations, which launched on May 22, 2023. Thus, had the drug been found in Hong Kong Harry after May 22, D'Amato would be subject to up to a two-year suspension and a $25,000 fine.)
Since the infraction occurred prior to the implementation of HISA's ADMC program, it was adjudicated under the pre-existing regulations of the KHRC. After waiving their rights to a formal hearing, D'Amato will pay a $1,000 fine, and the owners Scott Anastasi, Jimmy Ukegawa, and Tony Valazza must forfeit $194,000 in earnings.
The full ruling is available here.
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