CHRB Files Complaint Against Morey

The California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) announced that they had filed a complaint against trainer William Morey, alleging that his assistant trainer administered a substance containing an alkalinizing agent via a “dose syringe” to two horses that were entered to race at Santa Anita Park on Friday Mar. 29, 2019.

Mar. 29 was the day Santa Anita re-opened its doors to live racing after a hiatus of nearly three weeks, due to a rash of equine fatalities at the track this winter.

The two Morey-trained horses were scratched about 30 minutes before the first race on Mar. 29.

According to multiple sources familiar with the case, Morey's assistant was caught administering a substance orally to the horses that morning—a violation of CHRB rules—via use of the video surveillance system installed throughout the Santa Anita backstretch.

According to veterinary experts, alkalinizing agents are used to manage pH levels in the blood. PH is a measurement of the blood's acidity and alkalinity. The most common alkalinizing agent is sodium bicarbonate. In horses, sodium bicarbonate is an ingredient in “milkshakes,” a water-based concoction which can be used to reduce lactic acid buildup in the blood. Sodium bicarbonate can also be administered in paste form.

According to the press release, the stewards at Santa Anita will conduct a hearing on May 2.

Morey, who has held a license since 2001, has not started a horse since Mar. 29. According to the DRF, Morey subsequently dispersed his stable among a variety of different trainers.

Morey did not immediately respond to a call and text message.