Among this most recent set of rulings, trainer Robert Fiesman was suspended seven days and fined $1,000 for his second positive finding for phenylbutazone since HISA's anti-doping and medication control program (ADMC) went into effect.

Phenylbutazone is a Class C controlled medication under HISA. A second Class C offense within a 2-year period comes with a maximum 15-day suspension and $1,000 fine.

Jonathan Maldonado has similarly been suspended seven days and fined $1,000 after his trainee, Kapadokya, tested positive for the Class B controlled medication, capsaicin, after winning at Laurel Park on Feb. 10. Capsaicin is a topical analgesic.

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

Resolution Date: 03/26/2024
Licensee: Riley Tucker Mott, 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, Brian. This was also a possible violation of Rule 4222—Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout.

Resolution Date: 03/26/2024
Licensee: Sally Rivera, trainer
Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission.
Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Stormy Joe on 2/13/24. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Resolution Date: 03/26/2024
Licensee: Robert Fiesman, trainer
Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility, beginning on March 27, 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 Phenylbutazone—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Zipsy Rose Lee, who finished second at Mahoning Valley on 2/6/24. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Resolution Date: 03/25/2024
Licensee: Jonathan Maldonado, trainer
Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility, beginning on March 26, 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 2 Penalty Points.
Explainer: For the presence of Capsaicin—Controlled Medication (Class B)—in a sample taken from Kapadokya, who won at Laurel Park on 02/10/24. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Resolution Date: 03/21/2024
Licensee: Derek Ryan, 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 by HIWU.
Explainer: For the presence of Dexamethasone—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Charging Aero, who finished second at Tampa Bay on 01/06/24. 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: 03/08/2024
Licensee: John Servis, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Pre-workout joint 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, Chance Occurrence. This is also a possible violation of Rule 4222—Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout.

Date: 03/08/2024
Licensee: Jeremiah Englehart, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Pre-workout joint 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, Dolce Veloce. This is also a possible violation of Rule 4222—Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout.

Date: 02/08/2024
Licensee: Javier Duarte, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Vet's list medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Albuterol by inhilation—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Shanghai Mike on 2/8/24. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 02/26/2024
Licensee: Miguel Rodriguez, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the potential breach of Rule 4221—Alkalinization or use/administration of an Alkalinizing Agent (TCO2)—on Ipsum Gratus, who finished eighth at Penn National on 2/26/2024. This is also a possible violation of Rule 3313—Use of a Controlled Method During the Race Period.

Date: 02/24/2024
Licensee: Bernell Rhone, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Dexamethasone—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Fury Cap, who finished third at Tampa Bay on 2/24/24. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

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The commission's reasoning? At the time each of the horses' samples were tested by Truesdail Laboratory, the lab had lost its accredited testing lab status for horse racing. The commission has since switched its testing to Industrial Laboratories.

“Through the testimony, it is determined that Truesdail Laboratory, at the time of this testing, was not appropriately or properly accredited,” Commission chairman Michael Algeo said. “Given that, it is the unanimous decision of this Commission that we cannot rely upon the test results that were provided by the Truesdail Laboratory since they were, in fact, not accredited.”

In Maryland, the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory commonly known as “bute” is permitted on race day at “not more than 0.3 micrograms per milliliter of the blood plasma.” Big Hambone's test showed a level of .399, while Sick Pack Sara's was .513 mcg per milliliter. Salzman contended that the two horses had been treated by his veterinarian between 48 and 55 hours prior to the race, which was his standard practice that had not previously yielded positive tests.

According to thoroughbredrulings.com, Salzman's record includes previous positive tests for clenbuterol (Maryland, 3/20/2010), dexamethasone (West Virginia, 10/7/2017; Maryland, 2/22/2019; Maryland, 6/23/2019; and Maryland, 6/5/2021), and phenylbutazone (Maryland, 7/31/2020).

Read more at The Racing Biz.

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NYRA, quoting from a CHRB Report of Investigation,  said Baffert reacted to the two 2019 violations – both for overages of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory phenylbutazone – by saying “he thinks someone is intentionally giving Bute to his horses and mentioned that he would be offering a reward to help solve the case.”

It isn't known if anyone ever received a reward.

The two overages for Bute in California in 2019  are in addition to five medication violations for Baffert runners in three states between May 2, 2020, and May 1, 2021. Those violations included lidocaine positives for Charlatan and Gamine at Oaklawn in Arkansas on May 2, 2020, Charlatan in the G1 Arkansas Derby and Gamine in an allowance race. Both horses were disqualified, according to a stewards rulings, but the Arkansas Racing Commission reinstated their victories and merely fined Baffert. On July 25, 2021, Merneith tested positive at Del Mar for dextrorphan, and Baffert was fined $2,500. Gamine tested positive for a second time in 2020, this time for the corticosteroid betamethasone, after finishing third in the G1 Kentucky Oaks on Sept. 4. She was disqualified and Baffert fined $1,500.

The fifth failed drug test came on May 1, 2021, when Medina Spirit tested positive for betamethasone after finishing first in the G1 Kentucky Derby. The case has yet to be heard by Kentucky stewards, though Baffert's attorneys have said the positive test resulted from an ointment used to treat a skin rash and not from an injection of the drug.

The two Bute overages in 2019 were found days apart at Del Mar in Cruel Intention, who finished third on July 27, and Eclair, who finished fourth on Aug. 3.

A statement from NYRA said: “NYRA has amended its Statement of Charges issued against Bob Baffert to reflect additional facts, conclusions and details based on NYRA's ongoing investigation of Mr. Baffert's conduct. The NYRA Hearing Rules and Procedures provide a formalized mechanism for a respondent to reply to charges and to participate in a hearing in accordance with due process rights. The hearing for Mr. Baffert is scheduled to begin on January 24, 2022.

“A designated hearing officer will ensure the proceedings are fairly and impartially conducted in accordance with NYRA's Hearing Rules and Procedures. Following the proceeding, the hearing officer will issue a report containing findings of fact, conclusions of law, and a recommended disposition.”

The amended Statement of Charges also cites “public statements made by Mr. Baffert and others regarding Mr. Baffert's claimed retention of a veterinarian (which did not occur) to ensure against future violations, and the implementation of rule changes by Churchill Downs with respect to the qualifying point structure for the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby.”

Churchill Downs Inc. has excluded Baffert from stabling or racing at any of its facilities, including Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. The exclusion runs through the end of the 2023 spring meet at Churchill Downs. In addition, Baffert-trained horses are not eligible to win qualifying points in designated Road to the Kentucky Derby prep races.

NYRA attempted to ban Baffert shortly after he was excluded by Churchill Downs, but Baffert sued in federal court, saying he was denied due process. A judge ruled in his favor and NYRA established rules for the subsequent disciplinary hearing.

O. Peter Sherwood, a retired New York State Supreme Court justice, will serve as hearing officer in the Baffert matter.

The post NYRA Adds To Baffert Files: Trainer Said ‘Someone’ Gave Bute To His Horses, Would Offer Reward To Solve Case appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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His trainee Mr. Dougie Fresh tested positive for phenylbutazone after a breeze at San Luis Rey Downs training center on Sept. 19. Miller has not requested a split sample and is scheduled to appear before the California Horse Racing Board stewards.

The trainer's other class four (penalty category C) medication violations in 2021 include:

• April 10: Miller was fined $500 for an Isoflupredone positive in Hembree, who won the seventh race at Santa Anita on Jan. 1.
• Sept. 2: Miller was fined $1,500 for a phenylbutazone overage after a June 19 workout at San Luis Rey Downs, as well as .5 points in accordance with the CHRB's multiple medication violations rule.

Read more at the Thoroughbred Daily News.

The post Third Class Four Medication Violation Of 2021 Filed Against Trainer Peter Miller appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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An American woman experiencing severe back pain attempted to take some phenylbutazone (Bute) that had been prescribed for one of the horses in her care. She took three doses of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), each suitable for a 400-pound horse, reports the journal Clinics and Practice.

Three days later, the woman went to the hospital complaining of nausea, vomiting and weakness, which she said she had been experiencing for two weeks. She often had back pain that was controlled by use of over-the-counter naproxen, but reported that this episode was exceptionally painful, which is why she ingested the Bute.

She presented to the hospital with nearly low blood pressure, a high heart rate, and normal O2 levels, as well as dry mucous membranes. Blood work showed a low white blood count, low platelet levels, elevated liver enzymes, and acute kidney injury. Her urine blood screen showed use of amphetamines and marijuana.

Poison control and toxicology were engaged once it was discovered she had ingested the Bute, but no antidote was recommended. She was given an N-acetyl cysteine and sodium bicarbonate drip because of the suspected acute liver damage caused by the phenylbutazone.

After three days of in-hospital treatment, the woman was feeling better and checked herself out.

Though phenylbutazone was used in human medicine for the treatment of multiple forms of arthritis, it was removed from the human medicinal arsenal in 1970 because of an increased risk of agranulocytosis, a life-threatening blood disorder.

Read more at HorseTalk.

The post Sore Back? Skip The Bute appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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To test this theory, Dr. Ronald Erkert of Oklahoma State University conducted a recent study using three different pain treatment protocols on nine horses that were chronically lame in a front leg; each protocol lasted for four days. One group had injectable bute administered at two grams per 1,000 pounds. The second group had four grams per 1,000 pounds of bute injected. The third group received a saline injection to serve as a control. Before each injection and at six, 12 and 24 hours after the final dose, the horses were given a lameness exam and trotted on a force plate.

Erkert found no difference in lameness scores whether the horse was given two grams of bute or four grams of bute per 1,000 pounds. Erkert said that though his study was on injectable bute, administering additional grams of oral bute also has no significant benefit. Four grams of bute per 1,000 pounds approaches near-toxic levels. Bute toxicity can show up as diarrhea, gastric ulcers, colic, kidney failure and endotoxic shock.

Erkert recommends owners who give a horse bute and see no significant change in the horse's comfort level consult with their veterinarian to find a different pain control drug rather than administering more bute.

Read more at EQUUS magazine.

The post Bute: More Isn’t Better, It Can Be Dangerous appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Drs. Megan Ricord, Frank Andrews, Francisco Yñiguez, Michael Keowen, Frank Garza Jr.,  Linda Paul, Ann Chapman and Heidi Banse created a study to evaluate the effect of omeprazole on adult horses with EGUS caused by phenylbutazone.

The research team used 22 horses that had equine glandular gastric disease (EGGD) and equine squamous gastric disease (ESGD), each horse had a score of a 2 or higher when tested for the disease. The horses were divided into three groups: one group (eight horses) received 4.4 mg/kg of oral phenylbutazone every 12 hours; the second group (eight horses) received the same phenylbutazone dose plus 4 mg/kg of oral omeprazole every 24 hours. The control group (six horses) received neither phenylbutazone or omeprazole.

The horses were treated for 14 days and had their stomachs scoped at days seven and 14. Blood tests were done at the beginning and end of the study period. Five of the horses did not complete the study because of intestinal issues (two in the phenylbutazone-only group and three in the phenylbutazone/omeprazole group).

The scientists found that the EGGD score increased in the study group that received the phenylbutazone only when compared to the horses that also received omeprazole. They found no difference in the ESGD scores between the two groups. Strikingly, six of the eight horses in the phenylbutazone/omeprazole group developed intestinal complications—two of which were fatal. Only two of the horses in the phenylbutazone-only group had intestinal complications, and neither of them died.

The team concluded that using omeprazole reduced the severity of EGGD, but that caution should be exercized when using the two concurrently, especially when this takes place at the same time as a management change.

Read the study here.

Read more at EquiManagement.

The post Study: Omeprazole And Bute Not Necessarily A Good Combination   appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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The state's harness horsemen say that Thoroughbred horsemen did receive proper notice of the rule change.

The New Jersey Racing Commission's website has not posted any new proposed rules since 2019, although it does provide an option for the public to sign up to receive email notifications of new proposed rules and rule adoptions.

First offense for a bute overage now includes a $500 fine, loss of purse and up to a 15-day suspension from racing.

One trainer questioned why, if he had been properly noticed of the change, he would have permitted his veterinarian to administer the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory inside the prohibited window.

Read more at Harnesslink

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