horseracing integrity and safety act | Horse Racing Free Tips

Four New Members Join HISA Horsemen’s Advisory Group

Thoroughbred trainers Dale Romans, John Sadler and Shug McGaughey, plus racing and bloodstock manager Gavin Murphy, have joined the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA)'s Horsemen's Advisory Group, the HISA Authority announced via press release Tuesday.

The advisory group is a body of racing industry participants formed by the HISA Authority last year to provide formal feedback to the Authority 's executive team and Standing Committees on the implementation and evolution of its Racetrack Safety and Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) regulations.

The four new members will replace outgoing Horsemen's Advisory members Rick Gold, Rick Schosberg, Donnie Von Hemel, and the late Frank Jones.

Romans is an Eclipse Award-winning trainer from Louisville, Kentucky. He races in Kentucky, New York and Florida, and is a member of the board of directors while also serving as the vice president of the Kentucky Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association.

Sadler is a California-based conditioner who has been training since 1978. In addition to training multiple Eclipse Award champions, Sadler was previously president of the California Thoroughbred Trainers and a member of the board of the Thoroughbred Owners of California.

McGaughey is a New York- and Florida-based Hall-of-Fame trainer and a native of Lexington, Kentucky. Historically the private trainer for the laureled Phipps Stable, McGaughey brings decades of experience as a top horseman to the Horsemen's Advisory Group. Five of McGaughey's trainees have been inducted into the National Museum of Racing's Hall of Fame.

Murphy, originally from Queensland, Australia, is the head of SF Bloodstock, an internationally recognized investment fund, with breeding and racing operations in the U.S., Australia, and Europe. A longtime industry stakeholder, Murphy was previously employed at Soros Fund Management, has served on the board of directors of the Breeders' Cup, and has a significant involvement with top Australian stud farm, Newgate.

The full list of the Horsemen's Advisory Group members can be found here.

The Group has 19 members with a wide variety of viewpoints from across racing. Its membership includes trainers, owners, veterinarians, backstretch employees and representatives of racing offices and aftercare initiatives.

“I am grateful to Rick Gold, Rick Schosberg, Donnie Von Hemel, and the late Frank Jones for their dedication to improving HISA's Racetrack Safety and ADMC programs,” said the HISA Authority's chief executive officer, Lisa Lazarus. “Their feedback has been integral to HISA's evolution as we work to create a fair and safe playing field for the sport. We look forward to collaborating with the new horsemen joining our group and benefitting from their years of hands-on experience in the Thoroughbred industry.”

The post Four New Members Join HISA Horsemen’s Advisory Group appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Weekly Stewards and Commissions Rulings: Nov 7-13

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, trainer Natalia Lynch has been handed down a combined four-year suspension by an arbitrator, and a combined $55,000 in fines and arbitration costs.

Lynch had faced sanctions for two separate issues. One was for the possession of banned thyroid drug, Levothyroxine. The other was a positive test for another banned substance, Altrenogest—a synthetic progestin used in horses for the purpose of suppressing estrus—from Lynch-trainee, Motion to Strike.

Lynch's attorney told the TDN Monday that the trainer plans to appeal the arbitration result to a Federal Trade Commission administrative law judge.

An interesting wrinkle in the case is how in a series of proposed rule changes now headed out for public comment, HISA is seeking to alter the status of Altrenogest from a substance banned at all times to a controlled substance, permitted for use within certain criteria. Controlled substance positive findings are significantly leaner than those for banned substances.

Also this past week, trainer David Reid has been banned four months and fined $4,125 after his trainee, Maligator, tested positive for the banned substance, Venlafaxine. The case was resolved without a merits hearing.

Reid had previously provided proof to the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Unit (HIWU) that his assistant of over 30 years had been prescribed Venlafaxine for 15 years.

The Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) established “by a balance of probability” that Maligator's positive finding was brought about by consuming hay contaminated as a result of the assistant relieving herself in the horse's stall.

NEW HISA/HIWU STEWARDS RULINGS

The following rulings were reported on HISA's “rulings” portal and through the HIWU's “pending” and “resolved” cases portals.

Resolved ADMC Violations

Date: 10/20/2023

Licensee: Antonio Sano, 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, Il Miracolo. This is also a possible violation of Rule 4222—Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout.

Date: 9/08/2023

Licensee: Clarence King, trainer

Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision of the internal adjudication panel (IAP).

Explainer: For the presence of Dimethylsulfoxide—Controlled Medications (Class C)—in a sample taken from Indirectly. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 08/15/2023

Licensee: Jeffrey Crozier, 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. Final decision of the IAP.

Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone—Controlled Medications (Class C)—in a sample taken from Orb of the Boro, who won at Belterra Park on 8/15/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 09/28/2023

Licensee: Ruben Gomez, trainer

Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility, beginning on November 2, 2023; a fine of $1,000; imposition of 2 Penalty Points. Admission.

Explainer: For the presence of Acepromazine—Controlled Medications (Class B)—in a sample taken from Blue Cloud. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 08/29/2023

Licensee: Kevin Fletcher, trainer

Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility, beginning on November 4, 2023; a fine of $1,000; imposition of 2 Penalty Points. Admission.

Explainer: For the presence of Caffeine—Controlled Medications (Class B)—in a sample taken from Ruby Layne. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 08/03/2023

Licensee: Angel Castillo Sanchez, trainer

Penalty: 18-month period of Ineligibility, beginning on October 12, 2023; At least a 60-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Horse beginning on August 28, 2023 and subject to a Negative Finding in a Re-Entry Test; 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 $12,500. Admission.

Explainer: For the presence of Metformin—a banned substance—in a sample taken from Pylon who won at Delaware Park on 8/3/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3212—Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers.

Date: 07/20/2023

Licensee: Natalia Lynch, trainer

Penalty: 24-month period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on July 20, 2025; a fine of $25,000; payment of $2,500 of arbitration costs. Final decision of arbitral body.

Explainer: For the possible presence or possession of Levothyroxine, a banned substance. This is a possible violation of Rule 3214 (a)—Presence of a Banned Substance or a Banned Method.

Date: 07/20/2023

Licensee: Natalia Lynch, trainer

Penalty: 24-month period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on July 20, 2025; a fine of $25,000; payment of $2,500 of arbitration costs. Final decision of arbitral body.

Explainer: For the possible presence or possession of Levothyroxine, a banned substance. This is a possible violation of Rule 3214 (a)—Presence of a Banned Substance or a Banned Method.

Weekly Rulings: October 24-30

Every week, the TDN publishes a round-up 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.

The TDN also posts a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) related rulings from the same week. These include decisions from around the country.

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

Resolved ADMC Violations
Date: 10/04/2023
Licensee: Sarah Hamilton, 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, Lupo's Legacy. This is also a possible violation of Rule 4222—Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout.

Date: 10/04/2023
Licensee: Michael Trombetta, 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, Battle of Bastogne. This is also a possible violation of Rule 4222—Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout.
Date: 09/27/2023
Licensee: James Crotts, 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 9/27/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).
Date: 09/24/2023
Licensee: Manuel Badilla, 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 Dexamethasone—Controlled Medications (Class C)—in a sample taken from Regal Redwood, who finished third at Golden Gate on 9/24/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).
Date: 09/10/2023
Licensee: Luciano Medina Gabriel, 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); written reprimand (per 9/26/23 HISA Guidance). Final Decision by HIWU.
Explainer: For the presence of Omeprazole—Controlled Medications (Class C)—in a sample taken from Bel Ragazzo, who won at Emerald Downs on 9/10/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).
Date: 08/27/2023
Licensee: Mario Serey Jr., trainer
Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility, beginning on October 26, 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 Flunixin—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Some is Nine, who finished sixth at Timonium on 8/27/2023. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers.
Date: 07/29/2023
Licensee: Carlos Milian, trainer
Penalty: No Consequences except for Public Disclosure due to No Fault or Negligence. Final Decision of HIWU/Admission.
Explainer: For the presence of Hydrochlorothiazide—a banned substance—in a sample taken from Junglherly Love. This is a possible violation of Rule 3212—Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers.
Date: 07/28/2023
Licensee: Don Roberson, 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. Final Decision of IAP.
Explainer: For the presence of Flunixin—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Secret Life Style, who finished seventh at Emerald Downs on 7/28/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List Workout).

Date: 07/20/2023
Licensee: Cassondra Weaver, trainer
Penalty: 15-day period of Ineligibility, beginning on October 30, 2023; a fine of $1,000; imposition of 2 Penalty Points. Final decision of IAP.
Explainer: For the presence of Acepromazine—Controlled Medications (Class B)—in a sample taken from Coyote Runner. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of a Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List Workout).
PENDING ADMC VIOLATIONS
Date: 10/12/2023
Licensee: Chad Summers, 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, Thank you Jon. This is also a possible violation of Rule 4222—Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout.
Date: 10/11/2023
Licensee: Chad Summers, 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, Rayya Valentine. This is also a possible violation of Rule 4222—Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout.
Date: 09/28/2023
Licensee: Terry Eoff, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
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 is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).
Date: 08/28/2023
Licensee: Ruben Gomez, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Acepromazine—Controlled Medications (Class B)—in a sample taken from Blue Cloud. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).
The following cases have been returned to the “pending violation” list having previously been resolved.

Date: 07/04/2023
Licensee: Milton Pineda, trainer
Penalty: Provisionally suspended
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Diisopropylamine—a banned substance—in a sample taken from Wegonahaveagoodtime, who won at Los Alamitos on 7/4/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3212—Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers.
Date: 07/04/2023
Licensee: Lorenzo Ruiz, trainer
Penalty: Provisionally suspended
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Diisopropylamine—a banned substance—in a sample taken from Kant Beat the Rock, who finished second at Los Alamitos on 7/4/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3212—Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers.
Date: 07/02/2023
Licensee: Milton Pineda, trainer
Penalty: Provisionally suspended
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Diisopropylamine—a banned substance—in a sample taken from Keep Your Coil, who won at Los Alamitos on 7/2/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3212—Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers.
Date: 07/01/2023
Licensee: Milton Pineda, trainer
Penalty: Provisionally suspended
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Diisopropylamine—a banned substance—in a sample taken from Catbernay, who won at Los Alamitos on 7/1/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3212—Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers.
Date: 06/25/2023
Licensee: Lorenzo Ruiz, trainer
Penalty: Provisionally suspended
Alleged violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Diisopropylamine—a banned substance—in a sample taken from American Cat, who finished fifth at Los Alamitos on 6/25/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3212—Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).
Date: 06/23/2023
Licensee: Milton Pineda, trainer
Penalty: Provisionally suspended
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Diisopropylamine—a banned substance—in a sample taken from Chollima, who won at Los Alamitos on 6/23/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3212—Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers.
Date: 06/23/2023
Licensee: Lorenzo Ruiz, trainer
Penalty: Provisionally suspended
Alleged violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Diisopropylamine—a banned substance—in a sample taken from Facts Matter, who won at Los Alamitos on 6/23/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3212—Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers.
Date: 06/18/2023
Licensee: Milton Pineda, trainer
Penalty: Provisionally suspended
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Diisopropylamine—a banned substance—in a sample taken from Bella Renella, who won at Santa Anita on 6/18/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3212—Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers.
Date: 06/10/2023
Licensee: Milton Pineda, trainer
Penalty: Provisionally suspended
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Diisopropylamine—a banned substance—in a sample taken from Big Splash, who won at Santa Anita on 6/10/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3212—Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers.
Date: 06/09/2023
Licensee: Milton Pineda, trainer
Penalty: Provisionally suspended
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Diisopropylamine—a banned substance—in a sample taken from Flatterswithjewels, who finished second at Santa Anita on 6/9/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3212—Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers.
Date: 06/02/2023
Licensee: Milton Pineda, trainer
Penalty: Provisionally suspended
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Diisopropylamine—a banned substance—in a sample taken from Bella Renella, who won at Santa Anita on 6/2/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3212—Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers.
Violations of Crop Rule
One important note: HISA's whip use limit is restricted to six strikes during a race.
Downs at Albuquerque
Larry Marquez – violation date Oct 25; $250 fine, one-day suspension
Mahoning Valley Race Course
William Vernon Bush – violation date Oct 25; $250 fine, eight-day suspension
Parx Racing
Abner Perez Adorno – violation date Oct 19; $250 fine, one-day suspension
Presque Isle Downs
Martina Lynn Rojas- violation date Oct 24; $250 fine, one-day suspension
OTHER KEY RULINGS
Every week, the TDN publishes a round-up of key official rulings from the primary tracks within the four major racing jurisdictions of California, New York, Florida and Kentucky.
CALIFORNIA
Track: Santa Anita
Date: 10/29/2023
Licensee: Frankie Dettori, jockey
Penalty: Three-day suspension
Violation: Careless riding
Explainer: Jockey Lanfranco Dettori, who rode Circle of Trust in the fifth race at Santa Anita Park on October 28, 2023, is suspended for 3 racing days (November 5, 25 and 26, 2023) for altering course without sufficient clearance in the far turn, causing interference resulting in the disqualification of his mount from first to eighth; a violation of California Horse Racing Board rule #1699 (Riding Rules – careless riding).
FLORIDA
The following was taken from the ARCI's “recent rulings” webpage.
Track: Gulfstream Park
Date: 10/06/2023
Licensee: Saffie Joseph, trainer
Penalty: $500
Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: Steward's Ruling FO # 2022-047809 – F.S. 550.2415 Violation = Flunixin & Phenylbutazone. “CAPRIDREY”
Track: Gulfstream Park
Date: 10/06/2023
Licensee: Elizabeth Dobles, trainer
Penalty: $1,000 fine, unknown suspension
Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: Steward's Ruling Final Order # 2022-047262 – F. S. 550.2415 Violation = Methocarbamol. “ELLIEREESEASTON” Suspension dates to be determined by the State Stewards.
Track: Gulfstream Park
Date: 10/06/2023
Licensee: Gerald James, trainer
Penalty: $500 fine, 15-day suspension
Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: Stewards Ruling Final Order # 2023-001838 – F.S. 550.2415 Violation = Clenbuterol. “SOUL OF AN ANGEL” 15-DAY SUSP IMPOSED – DATES TO BE DETERMINED BY STATE STEWARDS.

Track: Gulfstream Park
Date: 10/06/2023
Licensee: Aubrey Maragh, trainer
Penalty: $500 fine
Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: Steward's Ruling Final Order # 2022-045845 – F.S. 550.2415 Violation = Flunixin and Phenylbutazone. “BADBADBOBBY”
NEW YORK
Track: Aqueduct
Date: 10/29/2023
Licensee: Irad Ortiz, jockey
Penalty: Three-day suspension
Violation: Careless riding
Explainer: For having waived his right to an appeal Jockey Mr. Irad Ortiz Jr is hereby suspended 3 NYRA racing days November 5th 2023, November 9th 2023, November 10th 2023 inclusive. This for careless riding during the running of the 3rd race at Aqueduct Racetrack on October 22nd 2023.

The post Weekly Rulings: October 24-30 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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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.

The post Pimentals, Overwhelmed by Support, Get Help to Proceed to HIWU Hearing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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