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's (HIWU) “pending” and “resolved” cases portals.
In this week's rulings, trainer Peter Miller has been suspended 15 days and fined $2,500 after his trainee Forgiving Spirit tested positive for Tramadol after finishing third at Del Mar Aug. 10 last
year. The suspension began on Feb. 7.
Tramadol is Class B controlled medication under HISA. It's used as a pain reliever. This was Miller's second resolved Class B controlled medication violation since the advent of HISA's
anti-doping and medication control program.
Miller has a prior Acepromazine case resolved in September of 2023. Acepromazine-a sedative widely used across U.S. backstretches-is a Class B controlled substance under HISA.
Miller has a separate pending Acepromazine violation after his trainee Enjoy it Strait allegedly tested positive for the substance after finishing tenth at Del Mar on Nov. 9 last year. According to
HISA's penalty program, because of the penalty points Miller has accumulated, he could be facing a maximum 120-day period of ineligibility and fine of $5,000 for that case.
Resolved ADMC Violations
Date: 02/11/2025
Licensee: Donna Kutt, 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-Controlled Medication
(Class C)-in a sample taken from Bivol, who finished fifth at Tampa Bay on 12/29/24.
Date: 02/11/2025
Licensee: Glenroy Brown, 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 Dexamethasone-a controlled substance
(Class C)-in a sample taken from Tammy's Toy, who won at Mahoning Valley on 12/23/24.
Date: 02/07/2025
Licensee: Darlene Green, trainer
Penalty: A written Reprimand; 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); imposition of 2 Penalty Points. Admission.
Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Caffeine-a controlled substance (Class B)-in a sample taken from Lookin at Justice, who finished sixth at Horseshoe Indianapolis on
10/10/24.
Date: 02/06/2025
Licensee: Christine Hicklin, trainer
Penalty: A fine of $500 per violation, for a total fine of $2,000; imposition of 1 Penalty Point per violation, for a total of 4 Penalty Points. Admission.
Explainer: According to the case resolution, HIWU investigators found the following controlled medication substances-Equate ibuprofen tablets containing an unknown liquid, Acepromazine Maleate, Sulfadiazine/Trimethoprim, and Regu-mate/Altrenogest-when they conducted a search of Hicklin's stable areas and vehicle at Prairie Meadows. The possession of these substances is in violation of state law, according to the resolution.
Date: 02/06/2025
Licensee: Peter Miller, trainer
Penalty: 15-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on February 7, 2025; 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 $2,500; imposition of 2 Penalty Points. Admission.
Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Tramadol-Controlled Medication (Class B)-in a sample taken from Forgiving Spirit, who finished third at Del Mar on 8/10/24.
Violations of Crop Rule
Mahoning Valley Roberto Perez – violation date Feb 6; $250 fine, no other info available Santa Anita Park
Manuel Americano – violation date Feb 7; $250 fine, one-day suspension
Welfin Orantes – violation date Feb 8; $500 fine, one-day suspension Sunland Park
Miguel Fuentes – violation date Feb 6; $250 fine, one-day suspension
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