Tag: The Biz

At the October Public Meeting of the New York State Gaming Commission, Chairman Brian O'Dwyer spoke about concerns regarding wage issues involving prominent horse trainers, and highlighted a partnership with the New York State Department of Labor to readily identify any Commission licensees that are subjects of Labor wage-related investigations.

New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said, “We remain dedicated to ensuring that hardworking New Yorkers receive wages they rightfully earned. I thank the New York Gaming Commission for helping to protect workers by holding horse trainers accountable and ensuring a level playing field for all.”

Chairman O'Dwyer's comments, as prepared:

“Last month, I directed our Horse Racing & Pari-Mutuel Wagering Division to examine the matter of licensed trainers owing significant back-pay to workers, including hundreds of thousands of dollars in H2-B back wages. Most trainers and workers at New York State's racetracks comply with the law. But when we learn of trainers not paying workers, we hold them accountable.

“For example, a trainer was recently ordered by the U.S. District Court to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in back wages, fines and penalties. This is not the first time that this trainer and his stable have been ordered to pay back wages, damages and fines due to federal labor law violations. Accordingly, the Commission requested the trainer provide appropriate employment records as part of its review. The Commission also requested the trainer explain why he believes he continues to meet New York State's standards for licensure. We are reviewing his response.

“To promptly identify any licensees engaging in bad labor practices, we've forged a partnership with the NYS Department of Labor so that the Commission is notified when complaints regarding a trainer's business practices spur an investigation. This bridges the regulatory gap so that when we learn of trainers engaged in practices that shortchange their employees, we can consider action regarding the trainers' licensure.

“This should be fair warning to all. Just as we expect equine athletes to be treated with dignity and respect, so too we expect all who work in the industry to be treated with dignity and respect.

“I thank the Department of Labor and Commissioner Roberta Reardon for continuing to partner with us to protect the thousands of workers who take care of racehorses.”

Chairman O'Dwyer concluded with: “I can assure you and the general public that the Commission does not take those types of violations lightly.”

The post NYS Gaming Commission Announces Actions To Hold Trainers Accountable For Employee Wage Issues appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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The trend of fewer races and lower pari-mutuel wagering volume continued in September in the latest economic indicator report released by Equibase, the Thoroughbred industry's official database.

For the month, with multiple racing days lost due to storms, Equibase reported wagering on U.S. races was $880,632,380, down 5.87 percent from September 2022 when $935,580,978 was bet. The number of race days declined by 7.43 percent and total races were down 8.80 percent. Purse money paid was down by 2.83 percent.

September 2023 had nine weekend days plus the Labor Day holiday, compared to eight weekend days plus Labor Day in 2022. Weekend days produce higher wagering figures than week days.

Third quarter wagering, including statistics from July, August and September, was worse, with total betting down by 6.68 percent – almost identical to the drop in the number of race days and races. Storms and excessive heat from coast-to-coast caused racing cancellations or surface transfers that adversely affected the summer's two premier meets at Saratoga and Del Mar. Both tracks sustained year-over-year wagering declines.

For the first three quarters of 2023, the story was similar: wagering, race days , and total races declined while purses were up slightly. Average wagering per race day was up by less than one percent.

Average field size was up marginally in September, in the third quarter, and year-to-date. For the first nine months of 2023, the average field size was 7.30 runners, up 1.62 percent from 7.19 in 2022.

If fourth quarter wagering is similar to 2022, the year-end total will be approximately $11.5 billion. From 1997 through 2009, wagering ranged between $12 billion and $15 billion annually – the highest coming in 2003 when $15.2 billion was bet. Since 2010, wagering exceeded $12 billion twice, in 2021 and 2022.

Purses paid out, on the other hand, hit an all-time record in 2022 when they topped $1.25 billion.

September 2023 vs. September 2022
Indicator	September 2023	September 2022	% Change
Wagering on U.S. Races*	$880,632,380	$935,580,978	-5.87%
U.S. Purses (Available)	$133,995,302	$138,305,022	-3.12%
U.S. Purses (Paid)	$127,944,705	$131,673,162	-2.83%
U.S. Race Days	374	404	-7.43%
U.S. Races	2,923	3,205	-8.80%
U.S. Starts	21,453	23,184	-7.47%
Average Field Size	7.34	7.23	+1.46%
Average Wagering Per Race Day	$2,354,632	$2,315,795	+1.68%
Average Available Purses Per Race Day	$358,276	$325,924	+9.93%

 

3rd QTR 2023 vs. 3rd QTR 2022
Indicator	3rd QTR 2023	3rd QTR 2022	% Change
Wagering on U.S. Races*	$3,055,467,201	$3,274,036,492	-6.68%
U.S. Purses (Available)	$390,256,835	$393,306,327	-0.78%
U.S. Purses (Paid)	$371,597,023	$378,162,702	-1.74%
U.S. Race Days	1,206	1,294	-6.80%
U.S. Races	9,443	10,140	-6.87%
U.S. Starts	67,750	71,936	-5.82%
Average Field Size	7.17	7.09	+1.13%
Average Wagering Per Race Day	$2,533,555	$2,530,167	+0.13%
Average Available Purses Per Race Day	$323,596	$292,243	+10.73%

 

YTD 2023 vs. YTD 2022
Indicator	YTD 2023	YTD 2022	% Change
Wagering on U.S. Races*	$9,129,984,403	$9,536,655,717	-4.26%
U.S. Purses (Available)	$989,057,359	$982,036,590	+0.71%
U.S. Purses (Paid)	$947,936,563	$945,222,310	+0.29%
U.S. Race Days	3,067	3,223	-4.84%
U.S. Races	24,857	26,010	-4.43%
U.S. Starts	181,555	186,950	-2.89%
Average Field Size	7.30	7.19	+1.62%
Average Wagering Per Race Day	$2,976,845	$2,958,938	+0.61%
Average Available Purses Per Race Day	$322,484	$293,274	+9.96%

* Includes worldwide commingled wagering on U.S. races.

The post Economic Indicators: Wagering, Race Days Continue Downward Trend In September, Year-To-Date appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots in New Orleans, La., has announced that 73 stakes worth a combined $9.7 million will be offered during the 76-day 2023-'24 Thoroughbred meet. Up $1.2 million from last season, the increase includes the $1-million in base purses that will be offered on Dec. 2 as Fair Grounds hosts the 25th annual Claiming Crown.

“In our 152nd year, Fair Grounds will set another record for the richest stakes schedule in Louisiana history,” said Doug Shipley, president and general manager of Fair Grounds Race Course and Slots.

Eight existing stakes receive a $25,000 boost, including two perennially star-studded turf events, the $175,000 Fair Grounds Stakes Presented by Horse Racing Nation (G3) and the $125,000 Tom Benson Memorial. The 78th running of the Louisiana Stakes Presented by Relyne GI By Hagyard (G3) is on the list and will be run for $175,000, as well as the 99th running of The Thanksgiving Classic, which will now offer a $200,000 purse.

“Many deserve thanks for their dedication and efforts to make this happen,” said Fair Grounds racing secretary Scott Jones. “Along with our phenomenal Road to the Kentucky Derby series and thriving turf course, this is one more reason why there is no better winter destination for horse racing than New Orleans.”

This racing season marks the 100-year anniversary of Black Gold's Louisiana Derby victory. The 66th running of the $75,000 Black Gold Stakes (3-year-olds going 1 1/16 miles on the turf) will take place on March 2, 2024, and will include a proper celebration with his connections' family in attendance. Rosa Hoots became the first woman to have bred and owned a Kentucky Derby winner when Black Gold won the Run for the Roses in 1924. A member of the Osage Nation of Oklahoma, Hoots bred her 34-time-winning race mare U-See-It with the stallion Black Toney, which produced a jet-black foal that she named “Black Gold.” The first horse ever to win the derbies of four different states, Black Gold was elected to the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1989.

“Black Gold was the first Louisiana Derby champion to go on and win the Kentucky Derby,” said director of racing Jason Boulet. “Not only did he break his maiden at Fair Grounds but he is also buried in our infield. Our tradition is for the winning jockey of the Black Gold Stakes to place flowers on his grave. We're proud to run a stake in his honor every year, but it will be all the more special having his owner's family with us at Fair Grounds to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of his historic achievement.”

Opening day is slated for Friday, Nov. 17. Six $75,000 Louisiana-bred stakes will be run over the main track on the season's first two days. Fillies and mares take center stage on Friday in the Doris Hebert Memorial (six furlongs), the John Valene Memorial (mile & 70 yards), both for 3-year-olds and up, and the Donovan L. Ferguson Memorial, a 5 1/2-furlong event for 2-year-old fillies. Saturday's trio of stakes are a mirror-image in terms of age, distance and surface, including the Larry D. Robideaux Memorial, the Jacob V. Morreale Memorial, and the Joseph R. Peluso Memorial, respectively. Each is in its second year of running, but four are renamed from last year to honor departed members of Louisiana's racing community.

On Saturday, Dec. 2, the Claiming Crown returns to Fair Grounds for the first time since 2011. It is the second straight year that the series has gone to a Churchill Downs Inc. property, as the 2022 races were held for the first time at the company's flagship track in Louisville after a 10-year-run at Gulfstream Park in Florida. Celebrating its 25th year, Claiming Crown purses will range from $75,000 to $200,000 for the Jewel. Another $25,000 in each race will be available in purse supplements for accredited Louisiana-bred horses.

“We were thrilled with the response to the first Claiming Crown at Churchill Downs and look forward to bringing this wonderful event back to New Orleans,” said CDI executive director of racing Gary Palmisano Jr. “Fair Grounds played host to the Claiming Crown in 2011 but there is no denying this event is bigger and better than ever. We are excited to partner with the National HBPA, TOBA and the Louisiana HBPA to make 2023 among the best and the most memorable Claiming Crowns ever.”

The eight 2023 Claiming Crown races all are for horses 3-years-old and up, with two of those restricted to fillies and mares. Headlining the card is the $200,000 Jewel at 1 1/8 miles for horses that have started for a claiming price of $35,000 or less in 2022-23. Three other races—all on turf—will offer a $150,000 purse and have a $25,000 claiming requirement. Those races are the Emerald at 1 1/16 miles, its filly and mare counterpart, the Tiara, and the Canterbury Tom Metzen Memorial at 5 1/2 furlongs.

The other Claiming Crown races are the $100,000 Rapid Transit ($16,000 claiming requirement) at six furlongs; $100,000 Glass Slipper ($12,500 claiming requirement) at one mile for fillies and mares; $75,000 Iron Horse Kent Stirling Memorial ($8,000 claiming requirement) at 1 1/16 miles, and $75,000 Ready's Rocket Express ($8,000 claiming requirement) at six furlongs.

Louisiana Derby Day is scheduled for Saturday, March 23, and it will card eight stakes worth a total of $2,625,000. Written at 1 3/16 miles now for the fifth year, the 111th running of theTwinspires.com $1,000,000 Louisiana Derby (G2) is worth 100-50-25-15-10 points to the top five finishers on the Road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1).

Over the past five years since Country House came through New Orleans on his way to winning Kentucky Derby 145 via disqualification, Fair Grounds' Derby prep races have produced three winners, three place finishers, and three show finishers, along with two who rounded out the superfecta.  Last season was no different as the second, third, and fourth-place finishers in Kentucky Derby 149 (Two Phil's, Angel of Empire, and Disarm, respectively) trained, raced and earned qualifying points at Fair Grounds.

Run at 1 1/16 miles, the $400,000 Fair Grounds Oaks Presented by Fasig-Tipton (G2) awards 100-50-25-15-10 points en route to the Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1). Last year's place-finisher Pretty Mischievous rebounded from that defeat with a victory in Kentucky Oaks 149, becoming owner/breeder Godolphin's first filly to win the Run for the Lilies. Winner and third-place finishers Southlawn and The Alys Look also competed in the Kentucky Oaks.

“The strong infusion of our sport's top 3-year-olds training and racing at Fair Grounds has been very apparent these past few seasons,” Jones said. “Beginning with the Gun Runner and the Untapable for late-season juveniles, it's proven that our progressive schedule of 3-year-old races for both the boys and girls gives horsemen the proper distances and spacing to prepare their runners for the first weekend in May and beyond.”

A pair of high-impact, nine-furlong stakes for older horses are also scheduled on the March 23 Louisiana Derby Day program–the $500,000 New Orleans Classic Presented by Relyne GI By Hagyard (G2) on dirt and the $300,000 Muniz Memorial Presented by Horse Racing Nation (G2) on turf. Four undercard stakes are slated for the lucrative card, including the newly minted $125,000 Tom Benson Memorial for older fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles on grass and a trio of Louisiana-bred events–the Costa Rising Stakes for 3-year-olds and up (5 1/2 furlong turf sprint), the Crescent City Derby (1 1/16 miles) and the Crescent City Oaks (1 mile and 70 yards).

Road to the Derby Kickoff Day falls on Dec. 23 this year and will card eight stakes. A pair of 2-year-old affairs with Kentucky Derby and Oaks point implications (10-5-3-2-1) highlight the card: the $100,000 Gun Runner contested at 1 1/16 miles and the 1 mile 70 yards $100,000 Untapable for fillies.

Two long standing juvenile six-furlong sprint stakes remain on the Dec. 23 Road to the Derby Kickoff Day card–the Sugar Bowl and the Letellier Memorial for fillies. The undercard also features three turf stakes: the Buddy Diliberto Memorial (1 1/16 miles), the Blushing K.D. (fillies and mares going 1 1/16 miles), and the Richard R. Scherer Memorial, a 5 1/2 furlong turf sprint. The Tenacious Stakes (3-year-olds and up going 1 1/16 miles) retains its spot on the Dec. 23 card, while its female counterpart, the Joseph “Spanky” Broussard Memorial (1 mile 70 yards), shifts ahead one day from its spot on this card last year to Friday, Dec. 22. Each stake scheduled for these two days will be run for $100,000.

On Jan. 20, Road to the Derby Day features a pair of key 3-year-old events–the $200,000 Lecomte Stakes (G3) which was extended from one mile to 1 1/16 miles four years ago, and the $150,000 Silverbulletday Stakes Presented by Fasig-Tipton (fillies going 1 mile and 70 yards). The top five finishers in each race receive 20-10-6-4-2 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby and Oaks respectively.

Four stakes for older horses will also be presented on the Jan. 20 program, including the purse-boosted $175,000 Louisiana Presented by Relyne GI By Hagyard (G3) run at 1 1/16 miles on the main track, and the Colonel E.R. Bradley (1 1/16 miles), the Duncan F. Kenner (5 1/2 furlongs), and the Marie G. Krantz Memorial (fillies and mares going 1 1/16 miles), each scheduled to be run for $100,000 over the Stall-Wilson Turf Course.

On Feb. 17, Louisiana Derby Preview Day features a pair of key 3-year-old stakes–the $400,000 Risen Star (G2), which was extended from 1 1/16 to 1 1/8 miles four years ago, and the $300,000 Rachel Alexandra Presented by Fasig-Tipton (G2), for fillies to be contested over 1 1/16 miles. The top five finishers receive 50-25-15-10-5 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby and Oaks respectively. The Rachel Alexandra has produced three of the last six Kentucky Oaks winners in Pretty Mischievous, Monomoy Girl, and Serengeti Empress. The 2014 victress Untapable also took down the Run for the Lilies.

Four stakes for older horses will also be presented on the Feb. 17 program–the $250,000 Mineshaft Presented by Relyne GI By Hagyard (G3) at 1 1/16 miles, the newly-minted $175,000 Fair Grounds (G3) at nine furlongs on turf, the $100,000 Colonel Power at 5 1/2 furlongs on turf, and the $100,000 Albert M. Stall Memorial for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles on turf.

Louisiana Champions Day will be held on Dec. 9. With the races run in various divisions over a variety of distances on both dirt and turf, the program features nine stakes restricted to Louisiana-breds. Each Louisiana Champions Day stake is worth $100,000 with the exception of the $150,000 Louisiana Champions Day Classic, the $50,000 Louisiana Champions Day Starter, and $50,000 Louisiana Champions Day Ladies Starter.

Four Louisiana-bred stakes receive a $25,000 purse boost in 2023-2024, including the Gary P. Palmisano Memorial and Bob F. Wright Memorial for fillies and mares. Both six-furlong dirt sprints for 4-year-olds and up are now worth $100,000. Together with the $100,000 Nelson J. Menard Memorial, a turf sprint for older females, these three stakes will be run on Jan. 6.

Two Louisiana-bred stakes added to last year's schedule return with new honorees: the $75,000 Louisiana Stallion of the Year “Star Guitar” at 1 mile 70 yards and the $75,000 Louisiana Broodmare of the Year “Lipstick Junky” at one mile. Both are written for 3-year-old Louisiana-breds, will be run for $75,000, and are named for two of the great producing influences in Louisiana's breeding history. Those stakes will be contested on Feb. 24.

Closing day is Sunday, March 24 and it will feature three state-bred stakes. The purses for both older dirt routes, the Star Guitar Presented by Brittlyn Stable (1 1/16 miles) and the Shantel Lanerie Memorial (fillies and mares going 1 mile 70 yards), have been raised to $100,000. The $75,000 Page Cortez, a turf sprint for 3-year-old and up females, rounds out the trio.

The 76-day, 2023-2024 Fair Grounds racing season runs through Sunday, March 24. Regular post time will be 12:45 p.m. CT. There will be an earlier noon CT first post on Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 23), Road to the Derby Kickoff Day (Dec. 23), Road to the Derby Day (Jan. 20) Louisiana Derby Preview Day (Feb. 17), and Louisiana Derby Day (March 23).

View full stakes schedule

View first condition book and index

The post March 23 Louisiana Derby Highlights Record Fair Grounds Stakes Schedule appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Of the nine case resolutions published this week on the public disclosures section of the website for the Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit (HIWU), the enforcement arm of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA), the most interesting is an arbitrator's decision in the case of trainer Dennis VanMeter.

In the case of an adverse analytical finding for the banned substance isoxsuprine in VanMeter trainee Templement, the arbitrator concluded that “Mr. VanMeter was not at fault and not negligent in preventing isoxsuprine from entering Templement's system. The incident was summed up as contamination from the stall which Templement was shipped into; it had been the living space of a lead pony with a legal prescription for the substance for the past five years. The arbitrator's “No Fault or Negligence” ruling means that VanMeter will not be subject to either a two-year suspension or $25,000 fine.

Other resolutions show two trainers who will serve seven-day suspensions over horses testing positive for acepromazine after a vet's list workout: Juan Alvarado and Dan Blacker.

This week, a review of the horses with pending positive results for banned substances has also revealed that three runners listed as “provisionally suspended from racing” have actually been running in West Virginia, whose racetracks do not fall under HISA rules (neither do tracks in Texas or Louisiana, thanks to ongoing legal battles).

Both Classy American and Cajun Cousin, formerly trained by Joseph Taylor, were provisionally suspended after testing positive for methylphenidate and clenbuterol in June. However, both horses have made starts in West Virginia for trainer Anthony Farrior.

In The Midst, provisionally suspended over a positive for clenbuterol, has also made a start in West Virginia, in the name of his provisionally suspended trainer Don Buckner.

Eight new pending violations for controlled substances have been added to the HIWU website this week as well, including one for a Class B substance (which may carry a penalty of a seven-day suspension and $1,000 fine).

As a reminder: HIWU's regulations for vet's list workouts include stricter medication restrictions than those for horses completing routine timed workouts. Horses on the veterinarian's list are required to complete a recorded work before a veterinarian and undergo post-race drug testing to be taken off the list. Horses completing routine, non-vet's list workouts are prohibited from having analgesics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, corticosteroids, and local anesthetics in their system, but other therapeutic medications are permitted.

Last week's edition of the HIWU Weekly Update is available here, and all public disclosures can be found on the HIWU website.

New Case Resolutions

The following cases have recently been resolved by HIWU, either by admission and acceptance of consequences (AAC) or by final decision (FINAL).

Note: The accumulation of Penalty Points can lead to suspensions (6-7 points leads to a 30-day suspension).

• Trainer Dennis VanMeter, a 76-year-old Vietnam veteran, is no longer provisionally suspended; in the case of an adverse analytical finding for the banned substance isoxsuprine in VanMeter trainee Templement, an arbitrator concluded that “Mr. VanMeter was not at fault and not negligent in preventing isoxsuprine from entering Templement's system,” and the incident was summed up as contamination. However, a positive test for phenylbutazone in that same race resulted in Templement's disqualification and the order to return purse money from his fourth-place finish; VanMeter has been fined $500 and assessed 1.5 Penalty Points.
• Trainer Juan Alvarado began serving a seven-day period of ineligibility on Oct. 4 over Evelyn testing positive for acepromazine after a vet's list workout at Gulfstream Park on Aug. 23. Alvarado was fined $1,000 and assessed 2 Penalty Points. (AAC)
• Trainer Dan Blacker began serving a seven-day period of ineligibility on Oct. 3 over Miss O'Brien testing positive for acepromazine after a vet's list workout at Del Mar on Aug. 23. Blacker was fined $1,000 and assessed 2 Penalty Points. (AAC)
• Trainer Conor Murphy has been fined $3,000 and assessed 3 Penalty Points over a violation of the intra-articular injection rule within seven days of a timed workout with the horse Dixie Supreme (ruling date Aug. 29). (AAC)
• Trainer Jeff Mullins has been fined $3,000 and assessed 3 Penalty Points over a violation of the intra-articular injection rule within seven days of a timed workout with Dandy Man Shines (ruling date Aug. 26). (AAC)
• Trainer Carlos Sedillo has been fined $3,000 and assessed 3 Penalty Points over a violation of the intra-articular injection rule within seven days of a timed workout with Smooth Waters (ruling date July 30). (FINAL)
• Trainer Scott Young has been fined $500 and assessed 1.5 Penalty Points over Our Davina testing positive for phenylbutazone after a vet's list workout at Remington Park on Aug. 29. (AAC)
• Trainer Ronald Kinmon has been fined $500 and assessed 1.5 Penalty Points over Vamonos testing positive for methocarbamol after winning a maiden claiming race at Belterra Park on Aug. 15. The 3-year-old gelding has been disqualified with purse money ordered returned. (AAC)
• Trainer Miguel Alamo has been fined $500 and assessed 1.5 Penalty Points over Late Date testing positive for dexamethasone after finishing fifth in an allowance race at Thistledown on Aug. 1. The 4-year-old filly has been disqualified with purse money ordered returned. (FINAL)

Pending Violations – Controlled Substances

The following cases include pending violations for controlled substances, those that are permitted for therapeutic purposes, but not on race days or during vet's list workouts (new cases in italics).

• Trainer Clarence King – Indirectly tested positive for dimethylsulfoxide after a vet's list workout at Parx Racing on Sept. 8. (Class C)
• Trainer Ismael Bahena – Yammy Yammy Bella tested positive for diclofenac after finishing second in a maiden special weight at Kentucky Downs on Sept. 7. (Class C)
• Trainer Jonathan Thomas – violation of the intra-articular injection rule within seven days of a timed workout with Bay Storm (ruling date Sept. 1).
• Trainer David Wayne Baker – Gerlach's tested positive for phenylbutazone after winning an allowance optional claiming race at Santa Rosa on Aug. 28. (Class C)
• Trainer Mark Hibdon – D'wild Muffin tested positive for flunixin (banamine) after winning a $4,000 claiming race at Arapahoe Park on Aug. 27. (Class C)
• Trainer Sammy Stevens – Pandora Who tested positive for phenylbutazone after a vet's list workout at Ruidoso Downs on Aug. 25. (Class C)
• Trainer Randi Persaud – Jumpster tested positive for phenylbutazone after a vet's list workout at Saratoga on Aug. 20. (Class C)
• Trainer Reynaldo Yanez – violation of the intra-articular injection rule within seven days of a timed workout with Chapalu (ruling date Aug. 18).
• Trainer John Guciardo – Cuz tested positive for both dexamethasone and trichloromethiazide after winning a $5,000 claiming race at Presque Isle Downs on Aug. 17. (Class C)
• Trainer Robert Leaf, Jr. – Laddie Dance tested positive for phenylbutazone after winning a maiden special weight race at Delaware Park on Aug. 16. (Class C)
• Trainer Jeffrey Crozier – Orb of the Boro tested positive for phenylbutazone after winning a $5,000 claiming race at Belterra Park on Aug. 15. The horse was claimed out of this race; that claim may be voided under HISA rules. (Class C)
• Trainer Joe Toye – Glimpse of Gold tested positive for dexamethasone after winning a maiden claiming race at Emerald Downs on Aug. 12. (Class C)
• Trainer Faustino Patino Lopez – Night to Remember tested positive for dexamethasone after finishing third and last in a maiden claiming race at Emerald Downs on Aug. 12. (Class C)
• Trainer Leslye Bouchard – violation of the intra-articular injection rule within seven days of a timed workout with Tomarie (ruling date Aug. 12).
• Trainer Jaime Cruz – Animal Princess tested positive for detomidine (large animal sedative) after finishing third in a $16,000 claiming race at Delaware Park on Aug. 4. (Class B)
• Trainer Philip Aristone – Field Letters tested positive for lamotrigine (an anticonvulsant which can be used to treat seizures and bipolar disorder) after winning a $4,000 claiming race at Penn National on Aug. 4. Field Letters was claimed out of this race by trainer Tito Moreno, and has since run twice more at Penn National. The claim may be voided under HISA rules. (Class B)
• Trainer Don Roberson – Secret Life Style tested positive for flunixin (banamine) after finishing seventh and last in a $2,500 claiming race at Emerald Downs on July 28. (Class C)
• Trainer Cassondra Weaver – Coyote Runner tested positive for acepromazine after a workout at Presque Isle Downs on July 20. (Class B)
• Trainer Jeffrey Englehart –
  • Wait A Minute tested positive for acepromazine after a vet's list workout at Finger Lakes on July 18. (Class B)
  • Mi Tres Por Ciento tested positive for methocarbamol after a vet's list workout at Finger Lakes on July 18. (Class C)
  • Graywing tested positive for phenylbutazone after finishing fourth in an allowance race at Finger Lakes on July 17. (Class C)
• Trainer Jason DaCosta – Poker Partner tested positive for gabapentin after winning a maiden special weight race at Parx on July 18. (Class B)
• Trainer Chad Brown – Forced Ranking tested positive for omeprazole after a work at Monmouth Park on July 7. (Class C)
• Trainer Candice Cryderman – Dontforgethesugar tested positive for methocarbamol after finishing third in a claiming race at Emerald Downs on July 7. (Class C)
• Trainer William Martin – Alkalinization or use of an alkalinizing agent (TCO2) on Wild Irish prior to his win in a claiming race at Presque Isle Downs on July 3.
• Trainer Jacqueline Falk – Gold Templar tested positive for methocarbamol after finishing second in a maiden special weight race at Finger Lakes on June 28. (Class C)
• Trainer Chris Hartman – Necker Island tested positive for acepromazine after winning the Mighty Beau Stakes at Ellis Park on June 18. (Class B)

Pending Violations – Provisional Suspensions For Banned Substances

The following cases include pending violations for banned substances, those that are not permitted in horses. New cases are listed in italics, and active suspensions have the trainer's name listed in bold.

Postponed suspensions, those for substances yet to be confirmed by split sample, are listed with an asterisk (*).

• Trainer Carl James Deville – Eurobeliever tested positive for the opioid tapentadol and barbiturate butalbital after being pulled up and vanned off in a $12,500 claiming race at Presque Isle Downs on Sept. 6.
• *Trainer Shane Meyers – Mugsy Malone, a 4-year-old gelding, tested positive for altrenogest after finishing third in an allowance race at Thistledown on Aug. 28.
• *Trainer R. McLane Hendricks – Princess Javoncia tested positive for cocaine after winning an allowance race at Penn National on Aug. 16; the 6-year-old mare has not started since (as of Oct. 3) and remains provisionally suspended from racing.
• Trainer Michael Pappada
  • Truckin Tommy tested positive for the opioid tapentadol after finishing sixth in a maiden claiming race at Presque Isle Downs on Aug. 8. The horse was vanned off after the race; he has not started since (as of Oct. 3) and remains provisionally suspended from racing.
  • Runaway Harry, a gelding, tested positive for altrenogest after winning a starter allowance at Presque Isle Downs on Aug. 28; he has not started since (as of Oct. 3) and remains provisionally suspended from racing.
• *Trainer Michael Lauer – Mowins tested positive for metformin after finishing third in an allowance race at Horseshoe Indianapolis on Aug. 5. The 4-year-old gelding has since finished eighth in the Bucchero Handicap on Aug. 23, but has not started since (as of Oct. 3); he remains provisionally suspended from racing.
• *Trainer Angel J. Castillo Sanchez – Pylon tested positive for metformin after winning a $5,000 claiming race at Delaware Park on Aug. 3. The 5-year-old gelding finished finished fourth in a starter optional claimer at Delaware on Aug. 12, prior to the positive announcement; he has not started since (as of Oct. 3) and remains provisionally suspended from racing.
• Trainer Hector Palma – Baladi tested positive for methamphetamine after finishing fourth in a claiming race at Del Mar on July 30. The 4-year-old gelding has not started since that date (as of Oct. 3); he remains provisionally suspended from racing.
• Trainer Carlos Milian – Junglherly Love tested positive for hydrochlorothiazide (a diuretic). Horse had been running at Parx; ruling date of July 29 is reported to coincide with an out-of-competition test, per HIWU representatives. The 4-year-old gelding has not started since that date (as of Oct. 3); he remains provisionally suspended from racing.
• Trainer Randy Preston – Fly Home tested positive for methamphetamine after winning a maiden claiming race at Belterra Park on July 20. The 6-year-old gelding has not started since that date (as of Oct. 3); he remains provisionally suspended from racing.
• Trainer Jim Lewis – Hughie's Holiday tested positive for clenbuterol after winning a claiming race at Ruidoso Downs on July 8. The 5-year-old mare has not started since that date (as of Oct. 3); she remains provisionally suspended from racing.
• Trainer Ramon Rechy – Night Livin tested positive for methamphetamine after winning a claiming race at Horseshoe Indianapolis on July 7. The 3-year-old filly has not started since that date (as of Oct. 3); she remains provisionally suspended from racing.
• Trainer Natalia Lynch – possession of Levothyroxine, and a gelding in her care tested positive for altrenogest.
  • Motion to Strike tested positive for altrenogest after the gelding finished fourth in a claiming race at Monmouth Park on June 24. A claim on the 5-year-old was voided; he has since finished third in a claiming race at Monmouth on July 14 (under the name of the claiming trainer, Silvino Ramirez), and was a winner at Monmouth Park on Sept. 3 for original owner Zilla Racing Stable and new trainer Robert Falcone, Jr.
• Trainer Bruno Tessore – Tenebris, a gelding, tested positive for altrenogest on July 18 (no races or workouts listed on that date by Equibase). The 5-year-old has raced twice since that date, finishing fourth in Tessore's name at Saratoga on Aug. 31, and most recently ran second in a starter allowance at Belmont at the Big A in the name of trainer Faith Wilson on Sept. 15.
• Trainer David Reid – Maligator tested positive for venlafaxine (an anti-depressant and nerve pain medication) after winning a claiming race at Hawthorne on June 25. The 8-year-old gelding has finished second in a claiming race at Hawthorne on July 16, but has not started since; he remains provisionally suspended from racing.
• Trainer Javier Morzan – Lady Liv tested positive for metformin (a commonly used prescription drug that treats diabetes) after finishing third in a starter optional claiming race at Delaware Park on June 24. The 3-year-old filly has not started since (as of Oct. 3); she remains provisionally suspended from racing.
• Trainer Mary Pirone – Benny The Jet tested positive for altrenogest after the gelding finished fifth in a claiming race at Emerald Downs on June 24. He was claimed from that race and moved to the barn of trainer Jorge Rosales, and has since run three more times at Emerald, winning twice, and once at Grants Pass Downs. Under HISA rules, the claim may be voided.
• Trainer Joseph Taylor – two runners have tested positive for both methylphenidate and clenbuterol
  • Classy American finished second in a starter allowance at Parx on June 20. Classy America has since run twice in West Virginia, under the same owner with Anthony Farrior listed as trainer. (West Virginia is not subject to HISA regulation due to ongoing legal disputes).
  • Cajun Cousin finished second in a claiming race at Parx on June 18. The 4-year-old filly has since won a claiming race at Parx on July 12, prior to the positive being called. Cajun Cousin was claimed out of that race, but the claim was voided under HISA rules. Cajun Cousin has since run twice at Charles Town in West Virginia, where HISA rules do not apply, under the same owner with Anthony Farrior listed as trainer.
• Trainer Donald H. Buckner – In the Midst tested positive for clenbuterol after finishing fifth in an allowance race at Thistledown on June 15. The 4-year-old gelding has raced once at Mountaineer Park in West Virginia since the positive, finishing fifth on Aug. 9 (West Virginia is not subject to HISA regulation due to ongoing legal disputes).
• Trainer Guadalupe Munoz Elizondo – Quinton's Charmer tested positive for metformin, a medication commonly prescribed in humans for type 2 diabetes, on June 11, 2023 (the New Mexico Racing Commission's Izzy Trejo confirmed that the positive test was incurred after a work before the state veterinarian in an attempt to remove Quinton's Charmer from the vet's list). The 4-year-old gelding has not started since that date (as of Oct. 3); he remains provisionally suspended from racing.
  • Munoz Elizondo is also a multiple graded stakes-winning Quarter Horse trainer. Since HISA/HIWU have no jurisdiction over Quarter Horse racing, Munoz Elizondo has still been able to train and race Quarter Horses in New Mexico. Trejo said that HISA gave guidance last year that jockeys suspended for whip violations on a Thoroughbred could ride in Quarter Horse races, so the NMRC has applied the same logic to a trainer with a HIWU suspension. Thus, Munoz Elizondo has been permitted to participate in Quarter Horse races. Trejo added that the commission is pushing for a state rule that will apply reciprocity at the NMRC level for HISA suspensions, but that isn't in place yet.
• Trainer Reed Saldana – Ice Queen tested positive for the vasodilator diisopropylamine after finishing third in a starter allowance at Santa Anita on June 16. The 5-year-old mare has not started since that date (as of Oct. 3); he remains provisionally suspended from racing.
• Dr. Luis Jorge Perez, DVM – possession of levothyroxine (violation date June 9)
• Trainer Jonathan Wong – Heaven and Earth tested positive for metformin after winning a maiden race at Horseshoe Indianapolis on June 1. The 3-year-old filly has not started since that date (as of Oct. 3).

Last week's edition of the HIWU Weekly Update is available here, and all public disclosures can be found on the HIWU website.

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