By Dan Ross
Every week, the TDN posts a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA)-related rulings from around the country.
The following rulings were reported on HISA's “rulings” portal and through the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU)'s “pending” and “resolved” cases portals.
Resolved ADMC Violations
Date: 05/13/2025
Licensee: Abel Ramirez-Rodriguez, trainer
Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission.
Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone-a controlled substance (Class C)-in a sample taken from Legal Empress, who finished second at Oaklawn Park on 3/1/25.
Date: 05/13/2025
Licensee: Fausto Gutierrez, trainer
Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision of HIWU.
Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone-a controlled substance (Class C)-in a sample taken from Quatrocento, who won at Tampa Bay on 3/28/25.
Date: 05/12/2025
Licensee: Robert Thomas Paterno, trainer
Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission.
Explainer: Vets' list medication violation for the presence of Dantrolene-a controlled substance (Class C)-in a sample taken from Nouveau Depart on 4/1/25.
Date: 05/12/2025
Licensee: Nicholas Vaccarezza, trainer
Penalty: A written Reprimand (per 9/26/23 HISA Guidance). Final decision of HIWU.
Explainer: Vets' list medication violation for the presence of Omeprazole (Gastrogard)-a controlled substance (Class C)-in a sample taken from Military Cruiser on 3/28/25.
Date: 05/09/2025
Licensee: Raymond Valerio, trainer
Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission.
Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Trichlormethiazide-a controlled substance (Class C)-in a sample taken from King Adrock, who won at Turf Paradise on 4/8/25.
Date: 05/09/2025
Licensee: Sherry Janice Armstrong, trainer
Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission.
Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Trichlormethiazide-a controlled substance (Class C)-in a sample taken from Barossa, who won at Sunland Park on 3/28/25.
Date: 05/09/2025
Licensee: Kelli Martinez, trainer
Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision of HIWU.
Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone-a controlled substance (Class C)-in a sample taken from Charter Oak, who won at Will Rogers on 4/1/25.
Date: 05/09/2025
Licensee: Shane Meyers, trainer
Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision of HIWU.
Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Methocarbamol-a controlled substance (Class C)-in a sample taken from Holidays Army Brat, who won at Mahoning Valley on 3/24/25.
Date: 05/09/2025
Licensee: Megan Fadlovich, trainer
Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision of HIWU.
Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Methocarbamol-a controlled substance (Class C)-in a sample taken from Ivory Sky, who won at Mahoning Valley on 3/19/25.
Date: 05/08/2025
Licensee: Tareq Moubarak, trainer
Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision of HIWU.
Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Betamethasone-a controlled substance (Class C)-in a sample taken from Rocky Seas, who finished second at Gulfstream Park on 2/16/25.
Pending ADMC Violations
05/13/2025, Michael Trombetta, trainer: Pending out-of-competition medication violation for the presence of Altronogest-a banned substance-in a sample taken from By the Sey Shore on 4/13/25.
05/12/2025, Tonja Wilson, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone-a controlled substance (Class C)-in a sample taken from Witsec, who finished second at Will Rogers on 4/14/25.
05/12/2025, Stephen Trevino, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine-a controlled substance (Class B)-in a sample taken from Miss Shady, who won at Mahoning Valley on 4/2/25.
05/08/2025, Joel Marr, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Trichlormethiazide-a controlled substance (Class C)-in a sample taken from Let Her Be, who won at Turf Paradise on 2/13/25.
05/08/2025, Eusebio Juarez, trainer: Pending alleged violation for the possession of Diisopropylamine-a banned substance-for an event dated 1/29/25. This is a possible violation of Rule 3214(a)-Possession of Banned Substances.
05/08/2025, Angel Sanchez Pinero, trainer: Provisional suspension for multiple violations, including of Rule 2215 related to the welfare of the horse, Rule 2252 related to maintaining thorough medical records for the horses in his care, Rule 8100 (a) related to failure to cooperate with the HISA Authority during an investigation, and of Rule 8100 (b) related to the failure to respond truthfully to official questions.
According to the “Notice of Violation and Provisional Suspension of Registration” posted at the bottom of this page, Pinero allegedly failed to produce medical records for 10 different horses.
Pinero faces five Anti-doping and Medication Control (ADMC) rule violations involving four different banned substances (Formoterol, Boldenone, DHEA, and Albuterol) and one controlled medication rule violation for a Phenylbutazone overage, according to the notice.
Violations of Crop Rule
Thistledown
Luis Raul Rivera – violation date May 8; $150 fine
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