Weekly National Rulings for Mar. 12 -18
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: 03/17/2026
Licensee: Pedro Nazario, trainer
Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on March 18, 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 Acepromazine-a class B controlled substance-in a sample taken from Gonzalo, who won at Laurel Park on 1/9//26.
Dates: 03/13/2026
Licensee: Michael P Vino, trainer
Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on March 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 2 Penalty Points.
Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Tramadol-a class B controlled substance-in a sample taken from Samantha’s Capo, who finished second at Park Racing on 1/12/26.
Dates: 03/12/2026
Licensee: Nestor Cascallares, 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 class C controlled substance-in a sample taken from Kiss Me For Luck, who finished second at Tampa Bay on 1/25/26.
Dates: 03/11/2026
Licensee: Jeff Hudson, 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-Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Go Water, who finished fourth at Zia Park on 12/02/24.
Dates: 03/11/2026
Licensee: Samuel Calvario, 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 Triamcinolone-all controlled substances (Class C)-in a sample taken from Triple Slipper, who won at Pleasanton on 12/13/24.
Pending ADMC Violations
03/17/2026, Isidro Castro, trainer: Pending violation of Rule 3214 (a), possession of the banned substances Glaucine and Testosterone for an event dated on 8/19/25.
03/16/2026, Melton Wilson, trainer: Pending vets’ list medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine-a class B controlled substance-in a sample taken from Trump’s Diamonds on 2/11/26.
03/13/2026, Gary Cross, trainer: Pending vets’ list medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine-a class B controlled substance-in a sample taken from Gesara on 2/9/26.
03/13/2026, Mario R. Lopez, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Methamphetamine-a banned substance-in a sample taken from Unicycle, who won at Tampa Bay on 2/5/26.
03/13/2026, Daniel Damen, trainer: Pending 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.
03/13/2026, Karyn Wittek, trainer: Pending medication violation of Rule 3313, concerning the “Use or Attempted Use” of Camphor-a class C controlled substance-on No Manches “during the Race Period” on 12/20/25.
03/12/2026, Pedro Nazario, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine-a class B controlled substance-in a sample taken from Gonzalo, who won at Laurel Park on 1/9/26.
03/11/2026, Kathleen O’Connell, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Altrenogest-a banned substance-in a sample taken from Louie the Sun King, who finished second at Gulfstream Park on 1/1/26.
03/11/2026, Joseph F. Orseno, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine-a class B controlled substance-in a sample taken from Horsepower, who finished second at Turfway Park on 12/21/25.
Crop Violations
Aqueduct
Gokhan Kocakaya – violation date March 13; $500 fine, one-day suspension
Gulfstream Park
Tyler Gaffalione – violation date March 15; $750 fine, three-day suspension
Pietro Moran – violation date March 15; $250 fine, one-day suspension
Mahoning Valley
Laureano Sosa – violation date March 17; $250 fine, one-day suspension
Parx Racing
Noel David Herman – violation date March 13; $250 fine, one-day suspension
Penn National
Carlos E. Lopez – violation date March 13; $250 fine, one-day suspension
Santa Anita
Kent Desormeaux – violation date March 15; $750 fine, three-day suspension
Turfway Park
Orlando Bocachica – violation date March 13; $500 fine, four-day suspension