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Trainer Federico Villafranco Suspended Through First 30 Days Of Oaklawn Meet For Caffeine Positives

Trainer Federico Villafranco, among the top 10 conditioners by wins at Oaklawn Park in 2020, will miss the first 30 days of the 2021 season at the Hot Springs oval due to a Dec. 14 ruling published by the Arkansas Racing Commission, reports the Thoroughbred Daily News.

Four of Villafranco's trainees, two winners and two second-place finishers, returned positives for caffeine in their post-race test results on dates from Feb. 1 through Feb. 8, 2020. The four horses — Millwood, D'Rapper, Fayette Warrior, and Council Rules — were all disqualified from their placings with purse monies forfeited.

Villafranco was suspended under the “absolute insurer rule,” with his suspension scheduled to run from Jan. 22 through Feb. 20, 2021.

Read more at the Thoroughbred Daily News.

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Trainer John Ortiz Suspended 15 Days For Clenbuterol Positive At Ellis Park

Trainer John Alexander Ortiz has been issued a $500 fine and a 30-day suspension by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, with 15 days stayed, after his trainee Woopigsooie tested positive for clenbuterol at Ellis Park on July 2, 2020.

Woopigsooie finished third in that day's second race, and post-race testing showed a clenbuterol level of 236 picograms per milliliter in the urine, according to findings confirmed by the UIC Analytical Forensic Testing Laboratory.

Since this was Ortiz' first medication violation as a trainer, stewards stayed 15 of the 30 suspension days, pending he has no additional Class A or B medication violations over the next year.

Ortiz will serve his 15-day suspension from Dec. 20, 2020, through Jan. 3, 2021.

Woopigsooie, a 3-year-old son of Secret Circle, was disqualified from his third-place finish in the $16,000 claimer, and all purse money was forfeited.

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COVID-19: Golden Gate Fields To Remain Closed Until Dec. 26

With the continued regard for the safety and well-being of 1/ST RACING employees, those working on the backstretch and the community at large, and in following the best guidance from local health authorities, Golden Gate Fields' leadership has decided to continue its temporary suspension of live racing at the Albany, Calif. track until the scheduled opening day of the winter meet on Dec. 26.

Since the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Golden Gate Fields has implemented stringent health and safety measures including, strict social distancing, masking policies and regular COVID-19 testing with isolation requirements for any positive cases or identified close contacts.

On Nov. 13, Golden Gate Fields announced a one-week temporary closure to address a COVID-19 outbreak that was then extended until Dec. 4. Since then, all track facilities have undergone thorough cleaning and track-wide COVID-19 testing has been administered to all 1/ST RACING employees and to all those who work on the backstretch. The track will continue testing until all tests are returned negative and will continue to collaborate and share all testing data with the Berkeley Public Health Division (BPHD).

All positive cases are overseen by the BPHD or the neighboring public health departments, as appropriate, through their respective case managers. Positive cases are required to isolate as per local health protocols and are not able to return to Golden Gate Fields until health clearance has been provided by the BPHD or the corresponding public health department.

The 1,300 horses stabled onsite will continue to receive the daily care and exercise they require.

The post COVID-19: Golden Gate Fields To Remain Closed Until Dec. 26 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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‘Surprised’ Irad Ortiz Tests Positive For COVID-19, Return To Racing Delayed

Serving a suspension from Sept. 18 through Oct. 3 for a pair of careless riding incidents earlier this year, champion jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. was scheduled to return to the saddle on Sunday. Instead, the Daily Racing Form's David Grening reported Wednesday that Ortiz tested positive for COVID-19 in a test taken Monday, and will be self-isolating for an additional 10 days.

Agent Steve Rushing said Ortiz is displaying no symptoms, and hopes to return by Oct. 8 at Belmont Park.

“He was as surprised as anyone when he found out,” Rushing told drf.com.