The New Mexico Racing Commission has issued a six-month suspension and $1,500 fine to trainer Ebert Munoz, ranked among the top 100 Quarter Horse trainers in the United States by earnings in 2022.
At Ruidoso Downs on June 18, 2023, Munoz was found to be in possession of hypodermic needles, syringes, and “an unlabeled box of Russian tablets,” according to the initial ruling posted on the Association of Racing Commissioners International website.
After a hearing on June 24, the commission decided to suspend Munoz for six months and fine him $1,500. The suspension will be retroactively effective from June 18, and remains effective through and inclusive of Dec. 15, 2023.
The trainer has held a license since 2012, but saw his career statistics jump dramatically in 2022 with 10 winners, 12 seconds, and four third-place finishers from 58 starters for career-best earnings of $340,952.
The majority of those earnings were courtesy of No Mires A La Luna, winner of the Grade 1 Namehimastreaker New Mexico Classic Championship Stakes on Oct. 30, 2022. No Mires A La Luna was a multiple Grade 1-placed runner as a 2-year-old, including finishing third in the G1 All American when conditioned by Kenneth “Trey” Ellis. Ellis is currently under suspension through March of 2024 over four positives at Louisiana Downs for zilpaterol, a drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in cattle heading to slaughter in order to increase body fat and muscle.
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