By Bill Finley
According to the HIWU website, GI Belmont Stakes winning trainer Jena Antonucci has had a horse test positive for Lidocaine. The horse in question is Bee a Queen (Khozan). Bee A Queen last raced on Sept, 12 at Gulfstream, but it is not clear whether or not that was the race from which the filly had a positive test.
After the notice of the positive was posted on the HIWU website, Antonucci posted a statement on her X account explaining that she was willing to work with HISA/HIWU and called for there to be a solution to the problem of trainers being suspended when the medication in question is of “irrelevant concentration.”
Her statement read:
“While this is still a pending matter, learning you have a controlled substance test which is above an allowable limit is a terrifying experience. Primarily because you do not want to feel that you let down your horse, your owner, your team of those that know who you are.
“Since learning that we were navigating the waters of a 3-Hydroxylidocaine overage, we did a complete business triage to ensure we assessed every aspect of our operation. I could not be more thankful to our entire team knowing there was no purposeful or accidental exposure in our control including our veterinary team who does not use Lidocaine in their practice. I am most proud of the professionalism and attention to detail exhibited by everyone.
“I continue to stand behind HISA and HIWU and will continue to work with all organizations to get the language right to serve all horsemen fairly and justly. While our overage was nominal, it is paramount we work towards utilizing irrelevant concentrations in testing for the future of sport.
“I appreciate HISA and HIWU having an open line of communication during my process and encourage anyone finding themselves in a similar situation to work with the organizations to find solutions. There is something to be learned through each event by both sides.
“As a side note…It is easy to be very reactionary as what we do is every bit of our being–so it is personal. I would only ask and encourage trainers to be prudent in detailing all business practices and share your attention to detail and how on top of your business you are, and I would also ask that HISA and HIWU continue to learn it isn't all black and white. We are in this together and we must continue to respect both sides to find and agreeable middle for the horse. For without them we will have nothing.”
She concluded the statement saying there will be no further comment at this time.
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