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Weekly Stewards And Commissions Rulings, Dec. 12-18

Every week, the TDN posts a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) related rulings from around the country.

Among the key rulings from the last seven days is the saga surrounding Tankinator, a horse at the centre of two positfives within 17 days.

On Oct. 21, Tankinator finished 6th at Delaware Park. Tankinator was claimed out of Webster Gayle's barn that day before running again on Nov. 7 for Bonnie Lucas at Parx Racing. Tankinator was pulled up and vanned off in that race. It's unclear whether Tankinator was euthanized.

In pending rulings posted on the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit's (HIWU) website, the 5-year-old gelding's post-race sample after his Oct. 21 appearance tested positive for the corticosteroid Dexamethasone, a controlled drug commonly used as an anti-inflammatory.

Tankinator's post-race sample after his Nov. 7 run tested positive for Xylazine, a controlled drug that can be used to sedate or tranquilize horses.

According to a HIWU spokesperson, the notice for the first positive test was sent out after the horse ran again on Nov. 7, as the post-claim owner would not have had the option to void the claim through HISA without being aware of the first positive test. Gayle and the post-claim owner were alerted to the dexamethasone positive at the same time, the spokesperson added.

In a separate case, trainer Michael Lauer was handed down a two and ½ month suspension after his horse, Mowins, had tested positive for the diabetes drug, Metformin, after finishing third at Horseshoe Indianapolis on Aug. 5. He was also fined $2,600. Lauer's suspension began on Oct. 12.

HISA lists Metformin as a banned drug, meaning it comes with a possible two-year suspension.

According to the case resolution posted on HIWU's website, the groom looking after Mowins had a prescription for Metformin, which he took twice daily. The day of the race, the groom, Jorge Ceballos, took the medication during lunch, before preparing Mowins for the race, “which included putting the bridle in Mowins' mouth,” according to the case resolution.

HIWU agreed that “Mr. Lauer was able to establish the source of Metformin by a balance of probability was unintentional contamination by Mr. Ceballos during his pre-race grooming preparations,” according to the case resolution.

Trainers Jeffrey Englehart and A. Ferris Allen were each issued seven-day suspensions and $1,000 fines for Phenylbutazone positives. Phenylbutazone is a Class C controlled medication. For both trainers, the sanctions handed down constituted their second Class C substance violations under HISA.

NEW HISA/HIWU STEWARDS RULINGS
The following rulings were reported on HISA's “rulings” portal and through the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit's (HIWU) “pending” and “resolved” cases portals.

Resolved ADMC Violations
Date: 11/05/2023
Licensee: Anthony Farrior, trainer
Penalty: No penalty. Equine anti-doping charges withdrawn. B Sample volume insufficient for analysis.
Explainer: For the presence of Metformin-a banned substance-in a sample taken from Geothermal, who raced at Laurel Park on 11/5/23. This was a possible violation of Rule 3212-Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers.
Read more on the story here.

Date: 10/28/2023
Licensee: Tony Lello, trainer
Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission.
Explainer: For the presence of Methocarbamol-Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Reel Em In. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312-Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 10/25/2023
Licensee: Joe Pizzurro, trainer
Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision by HIWU.
Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone-Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Atlantic Firestorm. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312-Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 09/28/2023
Licensee: Terry Eoff, trainer
Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission.
Explainer: For the presence of Methocarbomal-Controlled Medications (Class C)-in a sample taken from Kentucky Dawn, who finished second at Remington Park on 9/28/23. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312-Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 09/01/2023
Licensee: A. Ferris Allen, trainer
Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility, beginning on December 13, 2023; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $1,000; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission.
Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone-Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Aristocratic, who finished second at Colonial Downs at 9/1/23. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312-Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 08/05/2023
Licensee: Michael Lauer, trainer
Penalty: Two and ½ month (i.e., 75-day) period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on October 12, 2023; 60-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Horse, beginning on August 31, 2023 (already served); Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results obtained on 08/05/23 and 08/23/23, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $2,600. Final decision of HIWU, and admission.
Explainer: For the presence of Metformin-a banned substance-in a sample taken from Mowins who finished third at Horseshoe Indianapolis on 8/5/23. This was a possible violation of Rule 3212-Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers.

Date: 07/17/2023
Licensee: Jeffrey Englehart, trainer
Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility, beginning on December 13, 2023; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $1,000; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission.
Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone-Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Graywing, who finished fourth at Finger Lakes on 7/17/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312-Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers.

Pending ADMC Violations
Date: 11/29/2023
Licensee: Lacey Gaudet, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Medication violation
Explainer: A possible violation of Rule 3314-Use or Attempted Use of a Controlled Medication Substance or a Controlled Medication Method-on the horse, Graceful Union. This is also a possible violation of Rule 4222-Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout.

Date: 11/25/2023
Licensee: Peter Walder, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Medication violation
Explainer: A possible violation of Rule 3314-Use or Attempted Use of a Controlled Medication Substance or a Controlled Medication Method-on the horse, Hello Jack. This is also a possible violation of Rule 4222-Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout.

Date: 11/14/2023
Licensee: Robert Lucas, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Dexamethasone-Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Shake N Fries. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312-Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 11/13/2023
Licensee: Librado Barocio, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone-Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Sugar Fish. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312-Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 11/13/2023
Licensee: Librado Barocio, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone-Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Barristan the Bold. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312-Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 11/13/2023
Licensee: Ron Rozell, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Pemoline-a banned substance-in a sample taken from Bavaria. This was a possible violation of Rule 3212-Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 11/08/2023
Licensee: Ilmar Loaiza, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Dexamethasone-Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Roseinthesky, who finished second at Finger Lakes on 11/8/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312-Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 11/07/2023
Licensee: Bonnie Lucas, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Xylazine-Controlled Medication (Class B)-in a sample taken from Tankinator, who was pulled up and vanned off in a race at Parx Racing on 11/7/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312-Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 10/21/2023
Licensee: Webster Gayle, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Dexamethasone-Controlled Medication (Class B)-in a sample taken from Tankinator, who finished sixth at Delaware Park on 10/21/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312-Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 09/21/2023
Licensee: Bret Calhoun, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Diclofenac-Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Ain't Broke, who won at Churchill Downs on 09/21/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312-Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Violations of Crop Rule
One important note: HISA's whip use limit is restricted to six strikes during a race.

Los Alamitos
Diego Herrera – violation date Dec 16; $250 fine, one-day suspension, 2 strikes over limit
Giovanni Franco – violation date Dec 16; $250 fine, one-day suspension, 1 strike over limit
Kyle Frey – violation date Dec 17; $250 fine, one-day suspension, 1 strike over limit

OTHER KEY RULINGS
The TDN also publishes a roundup of key official rulings from the primary tracks within the four major racing jurisdictions of California, New York, Florida and Kentucky.

Here's a primer on how each of these jurisdictions adjudicates different offenses, what they make public (or not) and where.

New York
Track: Aqueduct
Date: 12/14/2023
Licensee: Manuel Franco, jockey
Penalty: Three-day suspension
Violation: Careless riding
Explainer: For having waived his right to an appeal Jockey Mr. Manuel Franco is hereby suspended for three (3) NYRA racing days January 1st 2024, January 4th 2024, January 5th 2024 inclusive. This for careless riding during the running of the 6th race at Aqueduct Racetrack on December 9th 2023.

Track: Aqueduct
Date: 12/18/2023
Licensee: Junior Alvarado, jockey
Penalty: Three-day suspension
Violation: Careless riding
Explainer: For having waived his right to an appeal Jockey Mr. Junior Alvarado is hereby suspended three (3) NYRA racing days January 1st 2024, January 4th 2024, January 5th 2024 inclusive. This for careless riding during the running of the 9th race at Aqueduct Racetrack on December 16th 2023.

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Proposed HISA Drug Control Program Rule Changes Sent For Public Comment

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act's (HISA) has sent a set of proposed changes to its drug control program to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for public comment.

The proposed changes to HISA's anti-doping and medication control (ADMC) program will be posted on the federal register. Historically, public comment has been for 14 days. It is currently unclear, however, exactly when the proposed changes will be posted to the federal register.

After the public comment period, the FTC will then decide which proposed changes to approve or deny. Until then, the current ADMC rules will remain in place.

The proposed changes–substantial in many parts–concern six different areas of the ADMC program, the red-lined documents for which can be read here: General Provisions, The ADMC Protocol, the Prohibited Substance and Methods list, testing and investigation standards, laboratory standards for accreditation, and arbitration procedures.

A slate of proposed changes includes the following:

A ban on the “injection or attempted injection” of any substance–prohibited or not–during the “Race Period,” though with certain extenuating circumstances. The race period is 48 hours before post-time or before a vet's list workout. The proposed rule change pertains to “any type of injection, including (without limitation) intravenous, intramuscular, intra-articular, peri-articular, peri-tendinous, epidural, intra-dermal, or subcutaneous.”

Updated rules on permissible actions from a “covered person” during a provisional suspension or a period of ineligibility, and revised sanctions for breaking these rules. This includes a ban on purchasing or claiming horses during this time, or from being “employed or otherwise engaged or contracted in any capacity involving Covered Horses.”

Revisions to split sample analysis, including a new provision requiring the relevant laboratory to “create a video recording of the opening and identification of the B Sample,” which ultimately will be sent to the responsible person and the horse's owner.

The document concerning “Arbitration Procedures” has been heavily revised regarding how arbitral body and internal adjudication panel members are selected, who can sit on them, and how such proceedings are conducted. They include expanding the arbitral body selection process to include possibly “contracting a third-party organization to administer the Arbitral Body.”

Updated sanctions for positive tests involving drugs deemed “human substances of abuse.”

These drugs include Cocaine/Benzoylecognine, Methamphetamine, Methaqualone, Methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), Methylenedioxyethylamphetamine (MDEA), Methylenedioxymethylamphetamine (MDMA), Oxycodone, Phencyclidine (PCP), and Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

In a press release, HISA wrote how the proposed changes to the ADMC rules “were developed after months of dialogue with and feedback from racing participants across the country,” including the horsemen's group advising HISA.

“During this time, the proposed rules were shared with industry members for informal comments and published on HISA's website for additional industry input,” the press release states.

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Breeders’ Cup Outlines Comprehensive Safety and Integrity Measures in Place for 2023 World Championships

Edited Press Release

The Breeders' Cup World Championships at Santa Anita Park will be conducted according to industry-leading safety and integrity protocols to ensure the wellbeing of all human and equine athletes. As previously announced, Breeders' Cup introduced an enhanced pre-screening protocol in the lead-up to this year's World Championships, upholding its ongoing commitment to putting safety first.

This year also marks the first time the Breeders' Cup World Championships will run under the full jurisdiction of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA), including the Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program, which took effect in May.

Breeders' Cup runners are subject to strict anti-doping and medication control requirements, including out-of-competition, pre-race, and post-race testing administered by the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU). Additional safety and integrity protocols include equine security and surveillance measures, enhanced veterinary exam procedures, injury management protocols and racing surface maintenance and testing in the leadup to the event.

Early Preparations: Out-of-Competition Testing, Veterinary Coordination & Racing Surface Oversight

Beginning in July 2023, a list of potential Breeders' Cup contenders was developed. The list included a combination of graded stakes winners, Challenge Series winners, and other horses on the possible starter list. HIWU then performed out-of-competition (OOC) testing for banned substances on those potential contenders. Blood samples were taken by HIWU-trained collection personnel and sent for testing to HIWU-accredited labs. Breeders' Cup OOC testing administered by HIWU concluded Oct. 30 and resulted in the collection of 226 samples.

The Breeders Cup Veterinary Team also began holding coordination meetings with counterparts from 1/ST Racing, HISA, HIWU and the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) in July. Through a regular cadence of meetings in the ensuing months, the group outlined veterinary exam schedules, OOC testing, safety and medication regulations, injury management and diagnostic tool implementation.

Dr. Mick Peterson, Program Director of the University of Kentucky Racetrack Safety Program, has worked in collaboration with 1/ST Racing Track Consultant Dennis Moore throughout the year. Both surface experts have also consulted with HISA's new Track Surfaces Advisory Group throughout their evaluation and maintenance operations of the racing surfaces at Santa Anita Park.

Safety & Integrity Protocols: October through World Championships Week

The five-member Breeders' Cup Veterinary Review Team completed its initial phase of enhanced pre-screening protocols on Oct. 23. This included:

The assessment of veterinary and treatment records as well as training and racing patterns associated with more than 200 potential contenders;
Physical examinations conducted by veterinarians in relevant racing jurisdictions around the world; and
The use of advanced diagnostic tools in the event additional scrutiny was required.

Attending veterinarians for all potential Breeders' Cup runners were required to submit 30-day treatment records–a nationwide requirement under HISA that will inform the Breeders' Cup Veterinary Review Team's second review–upon pre-entry. 24-hour surveillance began following the mandatory equine security check-in at 10:00 pm PT on Sunday, Oct. 29 for international runners and 11:00 am PT on Tuesday, Oct. 31 for domestic runners. All horses entered in a Breeders' Cup race underwent an additional round of HIWU-administered pre-race blood testing for banned substances on Tuesday, Oct. 31, with results set to be returned by race day.

Additionally, every Breeders' Cup runner is subject to:

Comprehensive onsite veterinary exams, including jog exams and the use of diagnostic technology as needed, beginning Wednesday, Oct. 25;
Random physical examination at the determination of the Breeders' Cup Veterinary Team;
In-stall and on-track veterinary oversight during training and schooling;
Mandatory jog-up veterinary exams before exiting any racing or training surface at Santa Anita Park starting Friday, Oct. 27;
Pre-race veterinary examinations in the barn and veterinary monitoring of horses in the paddock and during warm-up on race day;
Extensive post-race testing of the first four finishers as well as any runner that does not perform as expected and other runners as designated by the stewards; and
Observation of all other finishers cooling out as they exit the racetrack to determine if any need aid.

Throughout the week leading up to the World Championships, Dr. Mick Peterson's team has been conducting various checks to evaluate all track surfaces. Additionally, TurfTrax software has been employed to measure the condition of the turf track. These results are posted daily for horsemen and the media.

Additional resources detailing Breeders' Cup's health and safety protocols for the 2023 World Championships can be found here and downloaded here.

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Pimentals, Overwhelmed by Support, Get Help to Proceed to HIWU Hearing

The ruled-off trainer John Pimental said Wednesday that he and his wife, Diana, have been “blown away” by the support and offers of assistance they have received in the five days since a TDN story highlighted the life-altering ramifications of John's signing an “admission of rule violations” and “acceptance of consequences” document to settle Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) allegations stemming from a methamphetamine positive in one of his Monmouth Park trainees.

While being served notice on July 28 of the meth positive, HIWU agents conducted a Monmouth barn and vehicle search of the Pimentals' property, which turned up Levothyroxine. That meant John was charged with two violations of “banned substances” under the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA)'s Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program.

Under the terms of the “case resolution without hearing” that he initially agreed to, John faced a three-year period of ineligibility (18 months per violation) and a fine of $25,000 ($12,500 per violation).

In a series of interviews that led to last week's story, John, 68, and Diana, 65, had detailed to TDN the financial, logistical, and health-related hardships they have endured over the past three months as John attempted to find new work outside of the backstretch.

Working with racehorses has been the only way the couple has known how to make a living for the past 50 years, and John's record on the Association of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI) website shows only one previous published violation, a $100 fine from 2015 for not having a foal certificate on file.

The Pimentals also explained how it's been difficult to process the allegedly draconian penalizations that John said he accepted only because he didn't have the money to hire a lawyer to contest the HIWU charges.

The outpouring of support has included offers of financial assistance to fight their case; offers of pro-bono help from a trio of attorneys who specialize in defending horsemen, and offers to re-home the 5-year-old gelding Golovkin (Mshawish), the last remaining racehorse in their stable after eight others owned by a longstanding client got shipped to a different trainer at Delaware Park when John was first provisionally suspended.

The Pimentals told TDN Oct. 25 they are respectfully declining the offers of financial assistance.

But Golovkin vanned out of the Monmouth backstretch on Wednesday at noon, bound for a new home in Kentucky and a to-be-determined second career.

And the Pimentals also said they are considering the offers of free legal help, although at the moment they are content to allow Alan Foreman, an attorney who is the chairman and chief executive of the Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (THA), to handle their defense.

Foreman recently agreed to work as an ombudsman on behalf of racing industry constituents needing a go-between to deal with HIWU and HISA, and he has thus far managed to get John's signed admission withdrawn so the case can proceed to a hearing.

“People were concerned. That was good to hear,” John said. “There were a bunch of people who offered financial assistance or to set up a GoFundMe for us, but we thanked them and said we don't need any of that.”

Added Diana, who has helped John run his stable and his gate-ponying business since the two were teenagers, “We've been overwhelmed by people calling to want to help us. My phone's practically exploded.”

Next steps

In the original TDN story about his penalization, John alleged that the 193 picograms-per-milliliter meth positive in Golovkin on May 29 was the result of environmental contamination. He also claimed the container of Levothyroxine found in his truck had been used solely on a 17-year-old pony nicknamed Richard, and not on any racehorses under his care.

Lisa Lazarus, the chief executive officer for the HISA Authority, wrote in a letter published in TDN Oct. 24 that “the article implied that HISA and HIWU are devoid of concern for regular horsemen, are looking to wipe out smaller training operations, and are ignorant to endemic drug use on the backstretch of many racetracks. None of those are true.”

At a different point in her letter, Lazarus pointed out that when drug-testing samples do come up positive, “everyone is treated exactly the same way.” She also wrote that there is “no longer any space for 'he's a good guy'” types of arguments that, under pre-HISA testing protocols, might have reduced penalties or even kept sanctions from being imposed in the first place.

“But the non-discriminatory aspect of the program is sometimes also the worst thing about it,” Lazarus wrote. “Because every positive test is attached to a person. And every person has a story. And some of those stories can be heartbreaking.”

On Wednesday, Lazarus confirmed via email that now that John's withdrawal of admission has been accepted, his notice of sanctions has also been withdrawn by HIWU, and that his provisional suspension has been re-imposed back to where it was before John signed the admission.

Lazarus added that, “If Mr. Pimental is able to work with Alan Foreman to collect information that helps his case, HIWU has the discretion to lift the Provisional Suspension. We will also give Mr. Pimental an opportunity to request and qualify for a Pro Bono lawyer.”

Lazarus said the matter has already been re-initiated before the arbitral body. She estimated “60 days from start to finish” as a ballpark timetable for how long it might take to resolve the matter.

Foreman briefed TDN on the next steps in the case, although he said he preferred to stick to a general synopsis so as not to give away elements of John's defense.

“They are back now to square one,” Foreman said. “I am gathering the facts as any attorney in my capacity would do, and I am putting together a presentation from Mr. Pimental to HIWU in an effort to resolve this case and get him restored to good standing.

“He's requested a hearing, and under the rules, that hearing would be scheduled on a rather expedited basis,” Foreman said. “So my goal is to get this resolved as quickly as possible. The ball is really in our court to provide the information to HIWU [to bring about] an opportunity for a negotiated resolution of the case [and to avoid] arbitration. Because arbitration is expensive, and I don't think it's necessary in this case.”

New home for 'Go-Go'

Golovkin had been claimed for $5,000 on the day he tested positive while finishing last. In the two-month interim that he raced twice for different connections, the gelding again ran last two more times.

The ruling against John voided that claim, so the Pimentals (who owned him) had to take Golovkin back. Given the gelding's recent record, and the fact that he had to sit out a mandated 60-day period of inactivity because of the meth positive, they were having trouble finding anyone at Monmouth who wanted to buy or adopt him.

That changed once the Pimentals' story came out.

“We got a lot of offers,” Diana said of the dark bay with the handsome, half-blazed face. “He's not going to race again. All we want for him is to be able to get out into a field and run and 'be like a horse' again. He'll make somebody else very happy. That's all we want, and it's what he deserves after what he's been through.”

Lauren Carlisle headed the team that included fellow bloodstock businesspeople Radhika Clark and Sarah Thompson, plus Dr. Megan Cassidy of Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, to reach out to the Pimentals about taking in Golovkin.

“I read the article and just felt terrible for the situation,” Carlisle said. “They were quoted as saying that the horse had nowhere to go. So we really wanted to fix that as quickly as possible. And a big shout-out to Brook Ledge [Horse Transportation], who is moving him at no charge–a very good deed on their part.

“For now he's going to Radhika's family's farm in Kentucky,” Carlisle continued. “And then Dr. Cassidy is going to do a full exam on him with X-rays, and make sure that everything is good for him to be training for a new career. We'll find him a permanent home after we do all that. So this is basically a kind of landing spot him until we can figure it out.”

Golovkin, who shares a hard-to-pronounce name with the champion boxer Gennadiy Golovkin, already has a new nickname: “We've been calling him 'Go-Go' in our group chat,” Carlisle said.

Richard the pony also will be getting a new home–at least temporarily.

Diana told TDN that the pony, who teamed with John both in escorting horses to the gate and in John's former stints as an outrider, was initially slated to be sold. But trainer Gerald Bennett has agreed to instead take in Richard at Tampa Bay Downs this winter, with the understanding that if John wants him back at some point, he's welcome to have him.

“If things work out with John, maybe he can come back [to Monmouth next season] and outride,” Diana explained. “That's what we're hoping. If things turn around, we really would like to have a good pony that knows his job.”

The Pimentals are on their way to Tampa soon, too. Diana has a job in the racing office there for the upcoming meet, and her doctor has just cleared her to travel after needing to first make sure new medication is working to control the high blood pressure that Diana said she developed during this ordeal.

The couple underscored that they wanted to express gratitude toward everyone who has offered help or had a kind word about their situation.

“There's so many great people out there. You don't even know it until something like this happens to you,” Diana said.

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