Diodoro Fined for Trio of Positives at Oaklawn Park

The Association of Racing Commissioners International released an updated list of rulings from the Arkansas Racing Commission Aug. 31 on which trainer Robertino Diodoro was cited three times for the prohibited use of two different Class 4 substances detected in post-race testing at Oaklawn Park. 

Diodoro was named the leading trainer at Oaklawn in 2020 by wins and was only the fourth trainer in the track's history to register 50 meet victories. The trainer had two winning horses and a fifth-place runner disqualified by the stewards' rulings handed down on Monday. Purses will be redistributed in the affected races.

All three horses were owned by M and M Racing at the time of their affected race. 

Four-year-old filly Weekend Madness (by Include ), who finished fifth in a $32,000 maiden claiming race March 1 at the Arkansas track, was disqualified after her blood sample was found to contain triamcinolone acetonide, a corticosteroid which can be given intra-articularly to horses for the treatment of arthritis and general inflammation. Fellow runner Adheretome, a 5-year-old Paynter  mare, was also disqualified from her first-place finish in a $41,000 claiming race March 19 after she was found to have tested positive for the same substance. 

Moment, a 4-year-old Uncle Mo  gelding, tested positive for the prohibited substance methocarbamol, a relaxant commonly used to treat exercise-induced muscle issues such as spasms. As such, Moment was disqualified from his April 3 victory in a $28,000 waiver claiming race. 

An additional fourth ruling relating to the disqualifications fined Diodoro $3,500 for violating ARCI rule No. 1233, which states that, "The trainer shall be responsible for all and the absolute insurer of the condition of an entry the trainer enters regardless of the acts of a third party."