Trainer Raymond Handal has been provisionally suspended by the Horse Racing Welfare and Integrity Unit after his horse Barrage (War Dancer) allegedly tested positive for the banned substance zeranol after finishing second in an optional claiming allowance at Belmont May 28.
Handal's provisional suspension starts July 1. Under the regulations, Handal has the right to request a provisional hearing and the analysis of the B sample, but must do so by July 5.
The ruling was posted on the HIWU website Saturday morning. No further details were given.
Zeranol is a synthetic nonsteroidal estrogen, approved for use to promote growth in livestock, including beef cattle. It is sold under the brand name Ralgro by Merck Animal Health in the U.S. It is used to increase weight gain and improve feed efficiency. According to the U. S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), zeranol is banned in humans due to its presumed anabolic effect, and appears on the World Anti-Doping Agency's prohibited list.
Handal has won 28 of 130 races in 2023, good for a win percentage of 22%, and his horses have earned just over $1.5 million. He is currently seventh in the Belmont Park leading trainer standings, with 12 wins from 42 starts.
“NYRA has been alerted via HIWU that a horse under the care of trainer Ray Handal has tested positive for the banned substance Zeranol,” said NYRA Vice President of Communications Patrick McKenna. “According to HISA rules, Handal is now under a provisional suspension nationally and cannot participate at NYRA tracks effective today.”
Handal's suspension comes under HISA rule 3212–Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers.
A first-offense violation of rule 3212 carries up to two years suspension and up to $25,000 or 25% of the total purse (whichever is greater), and payment of some or all of the adjudication costs and HIWU's legal costs.
Handal had two horses entered at Belmont Park Saturday; Certified Loverboy (Mendelssohn) in the fifth race and Daddy Knows (Scat Daddy) in the seventh. He had also entered Promiseher America (American Pharoah) in the GIII Delaware Oaks. Those horses have been scratched.
This story will be updated.
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