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.
Resolved ADMC Violations
Dates: 04/13/2026
Licensee: A. Ferris Allen III, trainer
Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on April 14, 2026; 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 $1,000; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points.
Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone-a class C controlled substance-in a sample taken from Misty Boss, who finished second at Laurel Park on 1/23/25.
Dates: 04/10/2026
Licensee: Leslielyn Hardesty, 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. The following are treated as one violation.
Explainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Methocarbamol-a class C controlled substance-in samples taken from That's My Cat, who won at Tampa Bay on 3/1/26; and from Stormey Monday, who won at Tampa Bay on 3/8/26.
Dates: 04/10/2026
Licensee: Alberto Ruvalcaba, 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 class C controlled substance-in a sample taken from Naval Harbor, who won at Los Alamitos on 2/22/26.
Dates: 04/10/2026
Licensee: Robert S. Sweazey, 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 class C controlled substance-in a sample taken from Zimba Warrior, who finished fifth at Mahoning Valley on 2/16/26.
Dates: 04/08/2026
Licensee: Peter Miller, trainer
Penalty: A written Reprimand (per 9/26/23 HISA Guidance).
Explainer: Vets' list medication violation for the presence of Omeprazole (Gastrogard)-a class C controlled substance-in a sample taken from Itzel on 3/4/26.
Pending ADMC Violations
04/15/2026, Ivan Vazquez, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine-a class B controlled substance-in a sample taken from Semper Parabellum on 3/22/26.
04/15/2026, Murray Rojas, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine-a class B controlled substance-in a sample taken from Smart Philly on 3/16/26.
04/14/2026, Jon Zimmerman, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Dantrolene-a class C controlled substance-in a sample taken from Strawberry Zinger, who won at Turf Paradise on 3/12/26.
04/14/2026, Robert T. Paterno, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Tramadol-a class B controlled substance-in a sample taken from Commander's Coin, who finished second at Tampa Bay on 2/1/26.
04/13/2026, Timothy M. Gleason, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Dexamethasone-a class C controlled substance-in a sample taken from Fire Breather, who won at Sunland Park on 2/23/26.
04/10/2026, Ruben Gomez, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Betamethasone-a class C controlled substance-in a sample taken from Stormy Gal on 3/2/26.
Crop Violations
Aqueduct
Trevor W. Simpson – reporting date April 9; $500 fine, two-day suspension
Keeneland
Luan S. Machado – reporting date April 11; $750 fine, three-day suspension
Irving Moncada – reporting date April 9; $250 fine, one-day suspension
Parx Racing
Jorge A. Vargas – reporting date April 10; $315 fine, no other info available
John C. Aguilar – reporting date April 9; $500 fine, two-day suspension
Turf Paradise
Isaias Enriquez – reporting date April 9; $750 fine, three-day suspension
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