The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission has issued a 30-day suspension and $500 fine to trainer Grant Forster after a positive test for the Class B medication Gabapentin in his trainee Epicurean, who finished sixth in the seventh race at Churchill Downs on Nov. 26, 2021.
Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant and nerve pain medication which has been studied in horses for the treatment of chronic musculoskeletal pain.
The ruling, date March 12, 2022, indicates that Forster waived his right to a formal hearing and will serve 15 days from March 28 through April 11 (inclusive). The remaining 15 days have been stayed due to mitigating circumstances (number of violations in relation to overall record), on the condition that no Class A or class B medication violation occurs in any racing jurisdiction within 365 days from the date of this ruling.
Epicurean has been disqualified, with all purse money forfeited.
The filly, a 4-year-old daughter of Speightster, was sent off as the 1.50-1 favorite in that Nov. 26 start. She was claimed for $20,000 that afternoon by new trainer Robertino Diodoro, and returned in January to win a maiden special weight at Sam Houston by 6 1/2 lengths.
Epicurean then shipped to Oaklawn for a March 6 claiming race, finishing second as the 1.60-1 favorite, beaten a neck. She was claimed from that race for $20,000 by new trainer Bentley Combs.
The full ruling is available here.
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