John Pimental Gets 15-Month Suspension, $10,000 Fine

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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Weekly Stewards and Commissions Rulings, Jan. 23-29

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

Among this week's rulings, the seven-day prohibition on intra-articular injections prior to a timed workout continues to trip up stakeholders.

Six new individuals are facing possible sanctions for violations of this rule, to go with the 30 individuals whose cases have already been resolved. A typical first-time violation comes with a $3,000 fine.

One of the trainers in question is Ignacio Correas, whose trainee Didia violated the intra-articular injection rule prior to a timed workout dated Jan. 11 of this year. Didia subsequently won the GII Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf Invitational S. on Jan. 27.

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: 11/09/2023

Licensee: George Weaver, 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 Dantrolene—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Typhoon Fury, who won at Aqueduct on 11/09/23. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Pending ADMC Violations

Date: 12/26/2023

Licensee: Manuel Badilla, trainer

Penalty: Pending

Alleged violation: Medication violation

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 is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 01/11/2024

Licensee: Ignacio Correas, trainer

Penalty: Pending

Alleged violation: Pre-workout intra-articular injection 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, Didia. This is also a possible violation of Rule 4222—Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout.

Date: 12/14/2023

Licensee: Todd Pletcher, trainer

Penalty: Pending

Alleged violation: Medication violation

Explainer: For the presence of Dexamethasone—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Give Me Kisses, who finished fifth at Aqueduct on 12/14/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 01/14/2024

Licensee: James Tsirigotis, trainer

Penalty: Pending

Alleged violation: Pre-workout intra-articular injection 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, Melancholy Blues. This is also a possible violation of Rule 4222—Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout.

Date: 01/03/2024

Licensee: Anthony Dutrow, trainer

Penalty: Pending

Alleged violation: Pre-workout intra-articular injection 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, Past Tense. This is also a possible violation of Rule 4222—Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout.

Date: 11/23/2023

Licensee: Peter Miller, trainer

Penalty: Pending

Alleged violation: Medication violation

Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from House of Magic, who finished second at Del Mar on 11/23/23. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 01/05/2024

Licensee: Rohan Crichton, trainer

Penalty: Pending

Alleged violation: Pre-workout intra-articular injection 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, Oconee Life. This is also a possible violation of Rule 4222—Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout.

Date: 01/05/2024

Licensee: Jose Delgado, trainer

Penalty: Pending

Alleged violation: Pre-workout intra-articular injection 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, Justintimeforwine. This is also a possible violation of Rule 4222—Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout.

Date: 01/14/2024

Licensee: Peter Walder, trainer

Penalty: Pending

Alleged violation: Pre-workout intra-articular injection 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, Uncle Curly. This is also a possible violation of Rule 4222—Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout.

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.

California

Track: Santa Anita

Date: 01/27/2024

Licensee: Geovanni Franco, jockey

Penalty: Three-day suspension

Violation: Careless riding

Explainer: Jockey Geovanni Franco, who rode King Apollo in the sixth race at Santa Anita Park on January 26, 2024, is suspended for 3 racing days (February 3, 4 and 9 2024) for failure to make the proper effort to maintain a straight course in the stretch, causing interference; a violation of California Horse Racing Board rule #1699 (Riding Rules-careless riding – first offense in the last sixty (60) days).

Track: Santa Anita

Date: 01/27/2024

Licensee: Mario Gutierrez, jockey

Penalty: Three-day suspension

Violation: Careless riding

Explainer: Jockey Mario Gutierrez, who rode Be Punctual in the fourth race at Santa Anita Park on January 26, 2024, is suspended for 3 racing days (February 3, 4 and 9 2024) for crossing over without sufficient clearance going into the first turn, causing interference; a violation of California Horse Racing Board rule #1699 (Riding Rules – careless riding).

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Didia Outclasses Rivals In Pegasus World Cup F/M Turf

The exceptionally consistent Didia (Arg) (Orpen) won for the 10th time in 15 career starts and for the sixth time in eight appearances since coming to North America, kicking on gamely in the final eighth of a mile to take out Saturday's $500,000 GIII TAA Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Gulfstream Park.

Sent off the lukewarm 33-10 favorite, some $1,500 more than GIII Cardinal S. romper Star Fortress (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), Didia jumped alertly and put herself right into the race, as she settled just off the flank of longshot leader Accomplished Girl (Street Boss) through the opening exchanges. The pace was not overly taxing up front–Didia eyeballed Accomplished Girl past a half-mile in a modest :48.62–and Didia was held together by Jose Ortiz on the turn, waiting for her cue to sprint for the wire.

Asked for her best when level with the front-runner on the swing for home, the 6-year-old stuck her head in front at the furlong marker and was home first. Surprisingly (Mastery), a 25-1 outsider, was able to drop down onto the fence rounding the  first turn when Star Fortress was taken hold of and rode the rail throughout. She turned in a menacing late rally to be a good second. California raider Ruby Nell (Bolt d'Oro) was well and truly taken out of her game when unable to make the running, as is her custom, but she was settled well enough by Frankie Dettori from a forward position and finished a highly creditable third, just ahead of the well-bet Fluffy Socks (Slumber {GB}).

Twice a Group 1 winner in Argentina, Didia won the first four starts of her stateside sojourn, capped by a powerful victory in the GIII Modesty S. at Churchill last May. A pace-compromised second in the GI New York S. June 9, the bay was freshened with an eye on the tail end of the season and she returned to boss her rivals in the GII Rodeo Drive S. Oct. 7. She was most recently 10th to champion Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}) as the 9-1 fourth choice in the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf Nov. 4.

“I told [jockey] Jose [Ortiz] to be close and don't leave her that much to do,” said winning trainer Ignacio Correas of Saturday's effort. “He was a bit closer but when I saw that the pace was not that fast, I was very happy with where she was. I thought if she got beat it was going to be if she beat herself. She had everything in her favor.

“I think that probably she's better than I ever imagined,” Correas added. “She can do whatever. When you think that she was running a mile and a quarter and them come and put in such a performance almost wire to wire, close to the lead, these horses they just train themselves. We just need to stay out of the way.”

The victory earns Didia a spot in the field and a $25,000 travel stipend for the G1 Qatar Nassau S. at Glorious Goodwood later this summer.

Saturday, Gulfstream
TAA PEGASUS WORLD CUP FILLY AND MARE TURF INVITATIONAL S.-GII, $485,600, Gulfstream, 1-27, 4yo/up, f/m, 1 1/16mT, 1:40.90, fm.
1–DIDIA (ARG), 120, m, 6, by Orpen
1st Dam: Delambre (Brz) (G1SP-Brz), by Rainbow Corner (GB)
2nd Dam: Diya, by Ariosto (Arg)
3rd Dam: Sevilla (Arg), by Ringaro
O-Merriebelle Stable; B-La Manija (ARG); T-Ignacio Correas,
IV; J-Jose L. Ortiz. $282,000. Lifetime Record: Ch. 3yo Filly &
MG1SW-Arg, GISP-US, 15-10-2-0, $1,074,109. *Full to
Davide (Arg), Ch. All-Weather Horse & SW-Sin, $549,642; and
Dedini (Arg), MG1SP-Arg; half to Desvelo (Arg) (Sunray Spirit),
MSP, $181,511. Werk Nick Rating: C+. Click for the
eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or the free
Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Surprisingly, 120, m, 5, Mastery–Vagabond, by Arch.
($1,000,000 4yo '23 KEENOV). O-Repole Stable; B-Phipps
Stable (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher. $94,000.
3–Ruby Nell, 120, f, 4, Bolt d'Oro–Rich Love, by Not For Love.
($80,000 Wlg '20 KEENOV; $85,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP;
$1,200,000 2yo '22 FTFMAR). O-Spendthrift Farm LLC;
B-Solana Beach Sales (KY); T-Richard E. Mandella. $47,000.
Margins: NK, 1HF, HD. Odds: 3.30, 26.60, 4.10.
Also Ran: Fluffy Socks, Mission of Joy, Chili Flag (Fr), Sister Lou Ann, Accomplished Girl, Queen Goddess, Cairo Consort, Star Fortress (Ire). Scratched: Be My Sunshine, Full Count Felicia.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

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Super Saver’s Two Item Saver Dominates Keeneland Allowance

3rd-Keeneland, $106,700, Alw, 10-6, (NW1X), 3yo/up, f/m, 7f, 1:26.99, ft, 13 1/2 lengths.
TWO ITEM SAVER (f, 3, Super Saver–Two Item Limit {MGSW & MGISP, $1,060,585}, by Twining) debuted in 2022 in the same Churchill Downs maiden which yielded GSW Hoosier Philly (Into Mischief) and SP Baby Got Backspin (Kantharos), finishing fourth for Dallas Stewart before being put on the bench until August of this year. Now in the barn of Ignacio Correas, she graduated from the maiden ranks in the Colonial dash last out at second asking and shipped to Keeneland for this contest, scratch down to a party of four, leaving the blocks as the 3-2 second choice. Never in any hurry as the caboose in the short field, she picked up her stride after splitting runners from the three path and was closing fast passing the five sixteenths marker. Driving clear despite hanging on the wrong lead, she caught her second wind when swapping to the right one and was 13 1/2 lengths ahead of Yes Day (Classic Empire) on the wire. Hailing from a deep and international female family which includes the likes of Arena Elvira (Ghostzapper), MGSW, $497,396, herself dam of SP Americana (Tapit); and the dam of SW Electo Red (Master Command) and an ever-growing list of winners, Two Item Saver is the most recent, and last registered, successful addition to this collective. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-0, $110,200. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O/B-Charles E. Fipke (KY); T-Ignacio Correas, IV.

 

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