Trainer John Pimental has been handed a 15-month suspension and a fine of $10,000 for possession of banned thyroid medication, Thyro-L. Though Pimental had a prescription to administer the drug to his pony, the possession of a banned substance is classed an anti-doping rule violation under HISA.
That news was one of the rulings posted this week among Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) related rulings from around the country.
Pimental's case was resolved without a final hearing after he accepted the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit's (HIWU) sanctions.
Pimental's case was the subject of this in-depth TDN investigation last October. It details the then 68-year-old trainer's financial and professional struggles fighting a potential three-year ban and $25,000 fine. Pimental also has an outstanding case against him for a methamphetamine positive. Methamphetamine is a ubiquitous drug of human abuse that is the subject of nine other individual cases since HISA's drug control program went into effect.
In nearly a half-century of training, the TDN reported, the only Association of Racing Commissioners International violation on Pimental's record was a $100 fine for once not having a foal certificate on file.
In the case resolution report, HIWU lists several mitigating details in Pimental's case, including how he produced a valid prescription record for the Thyro-L, as well as a letter from his veterinarian, supporting its use in the pony, a “non-Covered Horse”; that “there is no evidence that Mr. Pimental possessed the Thyro-L for use in a Covered Horse after the ADMC Program went into effect”; that the pony for whom the Thyro-L was prescribed was “still alive and in the Pimentals' possession and care at the time the Thyro-L was found”; and that the Pimentals “openly admitted their mistake.”
At the same time, “Mr. Pimental did not educate himself on the impending ADMC Program rules, he took no precautions to ensure he was not in Possession of Thyro-L once the ADMC Program took effect, and he failed to supervise the disposal of the Thyro-L in his Possession,” the report states, in justification of the sanctions.
Trainer Manuel Badilla has also been suspended seven days and fined $1,000 after his trainee, Shana Madel, who finished second at Golden Gate on Dec. 26, subsequently tested positive for the anti-inflammatory, dexamethasone.
Dexamethasone is a Class C controlled medication, a first offense for which comes with a possible $500 fine and loss of purse. The “case resolution” report states that this was Badilla's second Class C controlled medication violation within two years, however, leading to the increased suspension period and fine.
Other rulings issued were:
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: 12/24/2023
Licensee: David Geofroy (listed as the horse's owner on Equibase)
Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision by HIWU.
Explainer: For the presence of 5-Hydroxy Dantrolene-Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Gran Runner. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312-Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).
Date: 12/26/2023
Licensee: Manuel Badilla, trainer
Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility, beginning on February 1, 2024; 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 Dexamethasone-Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Shana Madel, who finished second at Golden Gate on 12/26/23. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312-Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).
Date: 01/03/2024
Licensee: Anthony Dutrow, trainer
Penalty: A fine of $3,000; imposition of 3 Penalty Points. Admission.
Explainer: A possible violation of Rule 3314-Use or Attempted Use of a Controlled Medication Substance or a Controlled Medication Method-on the horse, Past Tense. This was also a possible violation of Rule 4222-Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout.
Date: 01/11/2024
Licensee: Ignacio Correas, trainer
Penalty: A fine of $3,000; imposition of 3 Penalty Points. Admission.
Explainer: A possible violation of Rule 3314-Use or Attempted Use of a Controlled Medication Substance or a Controlled Medication Method-on the horse, Didia. This was also a possible violation of Rule 4222-Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout.
Date: 07/28/2023
Licensee: John Pimental, trainer
Penalty: 15-month period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on July 28, 2023; a fine of $10,000.
Explainer: For the possible possession of Levothyroxine (Thyro-L). This was a possible violation of Rule 3214(a)-Possession of Banned Substances
Read more on Pimental's story here.
Pending ADMC Violations
Date: 12/09/2023
Licensee: Michael Gorham, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Out of competition medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Acepromazine-Controlled Medication (Class B)-in a sample taken from Tom Char. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312-Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).
Date: 11/09/2023
Licensee: Steve Klesaris, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Gabapentin-Controlled Medication (Class B)-in a sample taken from She's Awesome, who won at Aqueduct on 11/9/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312-Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).
Date: 11/20/2023
Licensee: Kari Craddock, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Methocarbamol-Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Ekati's Hit, who finished second at Remington Park on 11/20/23. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312-Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).
Date: 01/07/2024
Licensee: Jose Delgado, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Dexamethasone-Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Buff Hello, who finished third at Gulfstream Park on 1/7/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312-Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).
Date: 12/29/2023
Licensee: Hutch Holsapple, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Oxymorphone-a banned substance-in a sample taken from Krickle, who finished second at Turfway Park on 12/29/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3212-Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers.
Date: 12/13/2023
Licensee: Darien Rodriguez, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Dexamethasone-Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Charlotte the Brit, who finished second at Tampa Bay on 12/13/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312-Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).
Date: 12/01/2023
Licensee: Daniel Franko, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Caffeine-Controlled Medication (Class B)-in a sample taken from Misty's Cat, who won at Golden Gate on 12/1/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312-Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).
Date: 10/28/2023
Licensee: Ron Moquett, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Mepivacaine-Controlled Medication (Class B)-in a sample taken from Speed Bias, who finished third in the G2 Hagyard Fayette S. at Keeneland on 10/28/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312-Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).
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: 02/03/2024
Licensee: Marshall Gramm, owner
Penalty: $2,000 fine
Violation: Breach of transfer rule for claimed horses
Explainer: Owner Marshall K Gramm is hereby fined the sum of $2,000 for violating rule #4038.4 Sale, transfer restricted. This for the transfering of claimed horse “Truculent” prior to the thirty days from the date of the claim.
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