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: 06/15/2026
Licensee: Gerald Bennett, trainer
Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on June 16, 2026; Disqualification of Covered Horses' Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a combined fine of $1,500; combined imposition of 3.5 Penalty Points; Class C violation being treated as 1 violation with Naughty Rascal's 03/27/26 violation under 09/08/23 HISA Guidance.
Explainer: Medication violations for the presence of Acetaminophen (Paracetamol)–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Naughty Rascal, who finished third at Tampa Bay on 3/27/26; and for the presence of Acetaminophen (Paracetamol) and Diphenhydramine–class C and class B controlled substances respectively–in a sample taken from Chrome Ghost, who finished second in the NYRABETS Sprint Stakes at Tampa Bay on 3/29/26.
Dates: 06/12/2026
Licensee: Rene Cazares, trainer
Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision of HIWU.
Explainer: Vet's list medication violation for the presence of Methocarbamol–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Miss Goodbar on 4/24/26.
Dates: 06/11/2026
Licensee: Gary Capuano, 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 for the presence of Phenylbutazone–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Take a Hint, who won at Laurel Park on 5/3/26.
Dates: 06/10/2026
Licensee: Steve Epley Jr., trainer
Penalty: A written Reprimand (per 9/26/23 HISA Guidance).
Explainer: Vet's list medication violation for the presence of Omeprazole–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Call Me Toni on 5/12/26.
Pending ADMC Violations
06/17/2026, Robert Pompell, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Firocoxib–a class C substance–in a sample taken from Positiondumoni on 5/21/26.
06/17/2026, Robert Dibona, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Higenamine (Norclaurine, Demethylcoclaurine)–a banned substance–in a sample taken from Jayhawk, who won at Gulfstream Park on 4/16/26.
06/16/2026, Blake A. Kelly, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Naproxen–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from My Ronda on 5/19/26.
06/16/2026, Todd Pletcher, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Betamethasone–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Weetamoo, who won at Keeneland on 4/17/26.
06/16/2026, Robert M. Gorham, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Higenamine (Norclaurine, Demethylcoclaurine)–a banned substance–in a sample taken from Legal Jargon, who won at Mahoning Valley on 3/18/26.
06/16/2026, Eric R. Reed, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Cathinone–a banned substance–in a sample taken from Letmeknowbeforeugo, who finished fourth at Mahoning Valley on 2/25/26.
06/15/2026, Jose Camejo, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Methocarbamol–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Gazar on 5/12/26.
06/15/2026, Lane Johnston, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Glycopyrrolate–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Threeoneniner on 5/7/26.
06/12/2026, Michael V. Pino, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine–a class B controlled substance–in a sample taken from Pontiffany, who won at Parx Racing on 4/8/26.
06/12/2026, Aaron M. West, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Cathinone–a banned substance–in a sample taken from Maximum Agenda, who won at Mahoning Valley on 2/26/26.
06/11/2026, Cesareo Marquez, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Methamphetamine–a banned substance–in a sample taken from Rainbow Sprinkles on 5/2/26.
Crop Violations
Aqueduct
Sahin Civaci–reporting date June 14; $250 fine, one-day suspension, on appeal stay requested
Omar H. Moreno–reporting date June 14; $250 fine, one-day suspension
Churchill Downs
Francisco J. Arrieta–reporting date June 15; $30 fine, two-day suspension, on appeal stay requested
Luis C. Saez–reporting date June 15; $750 fine, two-day suspension
Francisco J. Arrieta–reporting date June 12; $3,000 fine, six-day suspension, on appeal stay requested
Delaware Park
Leonardo C. Alvarez–reporting date June 12; $250 fine, one-day suspension
Cipriano A. Gil–reporting date June 11; $250 fine, no other information available
Horseshoe Indianapolis
Evan A. Roman–reporting date June 13; $250 fine, one-day suspension, on appeal stay requested
Parx Racing
Kleiner Mejias–reporting date June 15; $500 fine, two-day suspension, on appeal stay requested
Thistledown
Luis A. Gonzalez–reporting date June 12; $250 fine, one-day suspension, on appeal stay requested
Rocco Bowen–reporting date June 11; $500 fine, one-day suspension, on appeal stay requested
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