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CHRB Files Medication Complaints Against Hall Of Famers McAnally, Mandella

The California Horse Racing Board has filed medication complaints against trainers Ron McAnally and Richard Mandella, two members of the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame who have rarely been cited for violations throughout their careers.

McAnally was notified of a positive test for the Class 1 drug 7-Carboxy-Cannabidiol in Roses and Candy, winner of the third race at Del Mar on Nov. 22, 2020. A split sample confirmed the presence of the substance.

Better known as CBD, Cannabidiol is found in a number of equine products, including tincture oil, pellets, liniment spray and poultices. While it is believed to work as an anti-inflammatory there is limited research on the possible benefits of CBD in horses and its use remains controversial. Because it is not included in the CHRB's classification list of drugs, it becomes a Class 1/Penalty Class A by default, according to CHRB spokesman Mike Marten. The Association of Racing Commissioners International lists Cannabidiol as a Class 2/Penalty Category B substance.

Marten said a proposed rule change to make Cannabidiol a Class 3/Penalty Category B drug is currently out for public comment and CHRB executive director Scott Chaney and investigators will recommend that stewards treat the alleged infraction as a Class 3 violation. It would still result in the disqualification of the horse, Marten added.

McAnally has not been sanctioned for any medication violations in California since 1998, Marten said. According to www.thoroughbredrulings.com, McAnally received a warning for a positive test for the Class D drug Cimetidine in Kentucky in 2009.

The CHRB filed a complaint against Mandella on May 7 after Jolie Olimpica – third in the Grade 3 San Simeon Stakes on March 13, 2021 – was found in a post-race sample to have 6.1 ng/ml of the Class 4/Penalty Category C drug methocarbamol – a muscle relaxant. A split sample confirmed the presence of the drug.

Mandella was fined $500 in January 2018 after two anti-inflammatories were found in a post-race sample – his most recent violation. He was also fined $500 for a methocarbamol positive in 2011.

Stewards hearings will be scheduled for both trainers.

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ARCI Working On ‘Smooth Transition’ to HISA

Association of Racing Commissioners International Chair Robert Lopez said today that the U.S. members of ARCI are focused on a smooth and expeditious implementation of the newly enacted Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act.

“We view this as an opportunity to achieve improvements we support and believe necessary,” Lopez said.

“Uniform rules, uniform testing, expanded jurisdiction over horses, and the creation of a multi-jurisdictional investigative entity are all tremendous improvements that will result from this law,” added Ed Martin, ARCI's President.

ARCI had, in the past, advocated a different path to address these needs, specifically the creation of an interstate compact as an alternative to involving the federal government. But, ARCI says, “only a few states picked up that mantle, leaving interested lawmakers in Washington no other choice but to pass the new federal law.”

“The ARCI and U.S. State regulators are eager and ready to work in partnership with the new authority, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, and the Federal Trade Commission to ensure a smooth transition and effective program,” Martin said.

“RCI Members in Canada have long demonstrated how a federal agency can partner with Provincial Racing Commissions with each complimenting the other. We envision that happening in the US,” Lopez said.

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ARCI’s Martin Issues Statement on Baffert

The Association of Racing Commissioners International (RCI) is an umbrella organization of the official governing rule-making bodies for professional horse racing and for decades, has helped establish international standards for racing regulation, medication policy and drug testing labs, among other responsibilities. The organization's president Ed Martin issued a statement on the positive betamethasone test returned on GI Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit (Protonico) and the comments made by his trainer Bob Baffert. The statement, in its entirety, reads as follows:

As I watched Bob Baffert denying any knowledge of how an illegal drug got into his Kentucky Derby horse, the scene from Casablanca where Captain Renault denies any knowledge of the existence of gambling in Rick's Cafe comes to mind.

“I am shocked that there is betamethasone in my horse.”

Hmmm. Then just as in Shakespeare when the lady doth protest too much, the usual claims are made when such questions arise: I don't know how it got there; I didn't do it; my records prove me innocent; the lab is too sensitive; it doesn't affect performance; it was contamination; the rules are wrong.

As the facts now stand, the substance was in the horse at a level it should not have been. The Kentucky [Horse Racing] Commission is investigating and will take appropriate action based on the facts of the case as they develop.

But I can say this as someone who had to investigate such matters, if there was contamination, other horses will also trip the wire. The “only my horse was contaminated” claim usually doesn't stand up. Complaining about picograms doesn't either, as today's sensitivity of the lab is a good thing. And let's be blunt, some substances have an enormous effect at a minute level.

Claims that this won't affect the performance of the horse in the race miss one of the main points of the rule. It's not just about whether something can make a horse run faster, but also if the masking of pain or injury might put the horse at risk. Collectively, the more stringent rules are helping reduce breakdowns.

Maybe Mr. Baffert truly has no idea how the drug got in his horse. But it was there based upon everything we know. He is the responsible trainer, not only for his horse, but everyone who works for him and the vets he uses.

Most horses tested come back clear, even with the uber- sensitive capabilities of the lab that Mr. Baffert decries. I prefer to trust the Kentucky investigation to unearth the pertinent facts.

As far as cancel culture is concerned, I have no idea what the hell he is talking about.

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ARCI, Beshear, KHRC Release Statements on John Ward’s Passing

The Association of Racing Commissioners International, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear and the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission all released statements Monday reflecting on the passing of GI Kentucky Derby-winning trainer John Ward.

“On behalf of the ARCI and John's many friends in the regulatory network, permit me to express our immense sadness and condolences to Donna and John's family upon learning the news of John's passing,” said ARCI President Ed Martin. “John Ward was a gentle giant in horse racing and was committed to our horses, everyone who cares for them, our riders, and all who are involved in and love our sport. He was a man of utmost integrity, common sense and determination who had a heart and a wonderful way about him no matter who you were. I made the mistake of once introducing John as a Hall of Fame trainer. He humbly corrected me. But in my humble opinion, based on his life's achievements, he should be in the Hall of Fame.”

“John was a good friend and a great ambassador for horse racing in the state of Kentucky,” said Beshear. “His experience as a trainer and horseman gave him a unique vision to lead the KHRC into a new and prosperous era. He will be missed by the entire horse racing community. Donna and his entire family are in Britainy and my prayers.”

“John was a really good guy,” added Marc Guilfoil, current KHRC Executive Director. “He challenged us in the office to think outside the box and come up with some very good policies and procedures that we still follow today. I guarantee you can search every history book in the country and you'll not find another person who served at the executive director of any commission in the United States, ever, that was also a Derby winning trainer. That's pretty special.”

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