Reigning champion trainer Brad Cox will serve a 10 day suspension from May 23, 2022, through June 1, 2022 (inclusive), according to a ruling from the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission dated May 15, 2022. The KHRC issued the penalty, along with a $500 fine, due to a positive test for phenylbutazone (bute) in one of Cox's runners in June of 2021.
Industrial Laboratories testing revealed that Warrior's Charge, who ran second in the G2 Stephen Foster at Churchill Downs on June 26, 2021, had 2.51 micrograms per milliliter in blood plasma of bute after the race. The positive was confirmed by Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory. Warrior's Charge has been disqualified, and all purse money ordered redistributed.
During the course of his suspension, Cox may not enter horses and any of his trainees transferred to new trainers for racing must be approved by the KHRC.
Bute is a Class C positive in Kentucky. The NSAID is not to be administered within 48 hours prior to post time; post-race, a level above below a concentration of three-tenths (0.3) microgram per milliliter of serum or plasma does not constitute a violation.
For a first-time Class C violation within a 365-day period in any racing jurisdiction, the KHRC is permitted to issue a zero to ten day suspension, absent mitigating circumstances, and a $500 to $1,500 fine, also absent mitigating circumstances.
Cox's medication violation history includes the following, according to Thoroughbredrulings.com:
- 10/28/2020 – KHRC – phenylbutazone
- 3/5/2019 – LSRC – Dextromethorphan
- 3/5/2019 – LSRC – Dextromethorphan
- 3/2/2018 – LSRC – Acepromazine
- 1/25/2018 – LSRC – Phenylbutazone
- 12/5/2014 – KHRC – Procaine Penicillin
- 7/27/2014 – NYSGC – Flunixin
- 9/17/2005 – IRGC – Nandrolone
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