A provisional suspension of trainer McLean “Mac” Robertson following a reported positive test for the banned substance altrenogest abruptly ended July 22 when the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority and its testing and enforcement arm, the Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit, said altrenogest was not detected in a split sample.
Testing of the original sample and the split sample was conducted by laboratories contracted by HIWU.
Altrenogest, approved for use in fillies and mares to suppress estrus and sold under the brand name Regu-Mate, reportedly was detected in the gelding Johnny Up following a June 4 victory in a $7,500 claiming race at Canterbury Park, where he's been a member of the Minnesota track's Hall of Fame since 2011.
Because altrenogest is listed as a banned substance for male horses under HISA/HIWU rules, the positive triggered an automatic provisional suspension of Robertson pending confirmation of the drug in the split sample. Robertson was required to transfer the 70 horses under his care to someone not currently affiliated with his stable during the provisional suspension. Robertson's most recent start was July 2.
Nathaniel Quinonez, a one-time Robertson employee who started 49 horses in his own name from 2016 through May 4, 2023, took over the stable. Quinonez has won eight races from 26 starts at Canterbury and Delaware Park since Robertson was forced to the sidelines, including two stakes on Canterbury's Hall of Fame day July 15.
A joint statement from HISA/HIWU said the notice of the potential anti-doping violation has been withdrawn and the case has been closed.
Johnny Up's win has been reinstated.
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