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: 03/24/2026
Licensee: Joe Toye, 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 Roll Dem Bones, who finished fifth at Turf Paradise on 2/4/26.
Dates: 03/24/2026
Licensee: Michael E. Ferraro, trainer
Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on March 25, 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 2 Penalty Points.
Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Lidocaine–a class B controlled substance–in a sample taken from Keigs, who won at Finger Lakes on 10/28/25.
Dates: 03/24/2026
Licensee: Desiree Blankenhorn
Penalty: 2-year period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on September 24, 2025; a fine of $25,000. Final decision of HIWU.
Explainer: Violation for the alleged possession of a banned substance (Niflumic acid) on an event dated 5/29/25. There are currently no further details publicly available on the HIWU website.
Dates: 03/23/2026
Licensee: Daniel Damen, 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.
Explainer: Medication violation of Rule 3313, concerning the “Use or Attempted Use” of Camphor–a class C controlled substance–on Tony B “during the Race Period” on 12/31/25.
Dates: 03/23/2026
Licensee: Carla Gaines, trainer
Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points.
Explainer: Vets' list medication violation for the presence of Diclofenac–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Royal Rumor on 2/8/26.
Dates: 03/23/2026
Licensee: Manuel Badilla, trainer
Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points.
Explainer: Vets' list medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Coolwind on 2/4/26.
Dates: 03/23/2026
Licensee: Eric R. Reed, trainer
Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points.
Explainer: Vets' list medication violation for the presence of Flunixin–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Sexarito on 1/17/26.
Dates: 03/23/2026
Licensee: Guillermo Flores, trainer
Penalty: 18-month period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on March 24, 2026; a fine of $12,500.
Explainer: Ruling for the possession of the banned substance Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP); Adenosine Monophosphate for an event dated 9/18/25. There are currently no further details publicly available on the HIWU website.
Dates: 03/20/2026
Licensee: Danny Gargan, 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–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Wine Money on 2/4/26.
Dates: 03/20/2026
Licensee: Isaiah L. Ortiz, trainer
Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision of HIWU.
Explainer: Vets' list medication violation for the presence of Ketoprofen–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Riding By on 2/4/26.
Dates: 03/18/2026
Licensee: Steven W. Martin, 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. Internal adjudication panel.
Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Dexamethasone–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Soul Sacrifice, who won at Remington Park on 12/20/25.
Pending ADMC Violations
03/23/2026, Daniel H. Dennison, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Furosemide (Lasix)–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Garavani, who won at Turf Paradise on 1/28/26.
03/20/2026, Ivan Calderon, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Dexamethasone–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Angel Wings, who finished fourth at Mahoning Valley on 2/9/26.
03/20/2026, Phil D'Amato, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine–a class B controlled substance–in a sample taken from Vow to Resiliency on 1/22/26.
03/19/2026, Justin J. Nixon, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine–a class B controlled substance–in a sample taken from Klum on 2/25/26.
03/19/2026, Ray Handal, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Dexamethasone–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Ez Roll, who finished second at Aqueduct on 1/23/26.
03/17/2026, Isidro Castro, trainer: Pending alleged violation of Rule 3214(a), for the possession of the banned substances Glaucine and Testosterone for an event dated 8/19/25.
Crop Violations
Santa Anita
Vicente Del Cid–violation date March 20; $250 fine, one-day suspension
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