The disqualification of Dream Marie from the Obeah Stakes was upheld by a 3-2 vote of the Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission during its Nov. 17 meeting, reports The Racing Biz. The Matthew Williams trainee was disqualified from her June 9 victory after testing positive for Aminocaproic acid, or Amicar, which is not allowed in any amount on race day.
Aminocaproic acid is a “Class 4” drug that calls for a “Class C” penalty on the Association of Racing Commissioners International's Uniform Classification Guideline of Foreign Substances and Recommended Penalties.
Williams' legal team contended that the trainer administered Amicar a week out from the race for a workout, and that the amount remaining on race day was too small to have a pharmacological effect. There is no recommended withdrawal time for Amicar.
In addition, the team suggested that the recent dismissal of multiple Amicar rulings in Maryland should play into the Delaware Commission's decision.
Commissioner Henry Decker proposed a “hybrid solution” that would allow Dream Marie to retain her win but redistribute part of the purse money to the other finishers. Chairman Duncan Patterson argued that the “a positive is a positive is a positive,” and that the stewards had been fair.
The Delaware Commission narrowly voted (3-2) to uphold the stewards' decision to disqualify Dream Marie and not to fine Williams.
Read more at The Racing Biz.
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