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's (HIWU) “pending” and “resolved” cases portals.
Resolved ADMC Violations
Date: 04/08/2025
Licensee: Cathal Lynch, trainer
Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on April 9, 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 $1,000; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission.
Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Dantrolene—a controlled substance (Class C)—in a sample taken from Saxton, who won at Laurel Park on 2/14/25.
Date: 04/07/2025
Licensee: Michael Matz, trainer
Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on April 8, 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 $1,000; imposition of 2 Penalty Points. Admission.
Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine—a controlled substance (Class B)—in a sample taken from Carentan, who won at Gulfstream Park on 1/19/25.
Date: 04/04/2025
Licensee: Kasey Ray Kemper, trainer
Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision by HIWU.
Explainer: Vets' list medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone—a controlled substance (Class C)—in a sample taken from El Siete Leguas on 2/24/25.
Pending ADMC Violations
04/09/2025, Scooter Davis, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Dexamethasone—a controlled substance (Class C)—in a sample taken from Uncaptured Star, who won at Tampa Bay on 3/15/25.
04/08/2025, Victor Barboza, trainer: Pending medication violation for the use or attempted use of a Class C controlled medication on Gayles Evening during the race period, an event dated 3/2/25.
04/08/2025, Antonio Meraz, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Cobalt Salts—a banned substance—in a sample taken from First Kitten, who won at Mahoning Valley on 2/12/25.
04/07/2025, Greg Green, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine and Xylazine—both controlled substances (Class B)—in a sample taken from Ogailala on 3/7/25.
04/07/2025, Aldana Spieth, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine—a controlled substance (Class B)—in a sample taken from Breath Deeply, who won at Tampa Bay on 2/1/25.
04/04/2025, Mark Simms, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine—a controlled substance (Class B)—in a sample taken from With Full Honors on 3/4/25.
04/04/2025, Sherry Janice Armstrong, trainer: Pending medication violation for the use or attempted use of a Class C controlled medication on Truckin during the race period, an event dated 2/13/25.
04/04/2025, Ben Colebrook, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Ibuprofen—a controlled substance (Class C)—in a sample taken from Interlock Empire, who finished second at Oaklawn Park on 1/24/25.
Violations of Crop Rule
Gulfstream Park
Edwin Gonzalez – violation date April 4; $1,000 fine, four-day suspension
Mahoning Valley
Brandon Tapara – violation date April 7; $250 fine, one-day suspension
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