Baffert Trainee Merneith Tests Positive for Dextrorphan

Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, already facing several positive post-race drug test results in his racehorses this year, has another hearing scheduled on another failed test.

The California Horse Racing Board has filed a complaint against the trainer after his runner Merneith tested positive for dextrorphan after finishing second in an allowance optional claiming race July 25 at Del Mar. A split sample confirmed the original violation. A hearing is scheduled for Nov. 12, according to Baffert's attorney, W. Craig Robertson III.

Dextrorphan is a metabolite of dextromethorphan, which the Association of Racing Commissioners International classifies as a Class 4 violation for foreign substances. Class 1 drugs have the highest potential to affect performance, while Class 5 drugs at the other end of the scale are considered to have little impact. Class 4 drugs include therapeutic medications and corticosteroids, antihistamines, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs at concentrations greater than established limits.

Dextromethorphan calls for a Class B penalty, the second-highest on the scale. The drug is commonly found in cough syrups and cold medications, but can also be administered to racehorses for other reasons, such as to address cribbing. It is not listed among the accepted medications of the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium's list of controlled therapeutic medications for use in racing.

"The groom that had Merneith had (COVID-19), and when he came back, he was treating a cough with Dayquil and Nyquil," Robertson said. "We believe that's how the horse came into contact with that substance because you would never give a cough suppressant to a horse. It's just another case of contamination."

Merneith is a 3-year-old grade-2 placed American Pharoah  filly owned by Prince Sultan Bin Mishal Al Saud. She has a 2-3-1 record from seven starts with $126,900 in earnings. 

In February 2017, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission dropped sanctions in three cases in which dextrorphan was found, citing research that it can stay in a horse's system at a wider variance of time than previously realized. Those cases were rescinded because of that variance, not because of a determination of environmental contamination.

Before Baffert's hearing regarding Merneith takes place next month, a hearing is set for Oct. 29 related to the Baffert-trained Justify  showing the presence of scopolamine in his test results following his victory in the 2018 Santa Anita Derby (G1). 

Charlatan and Gamine, other Baffert trainees, have been the subject of medication positives in 2020. Gamine tested positive for betamethasone after her third-place finish in the Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) Sept. 4 at Churchill Downs, although split sample results have not yet been returned. Robertson said in a statement earlier this month that the betamethasone was given outside the recommended 14-day withdrawal guidelines for the medication.

Gamine and Charlatan showed the presence of lidocaine following on-track victories May 2 at Oaklawn Park that subsequently resulted in their disqualifications. In those cases, Baffert said contamination was caused by a back-pain patch worn by one of his employees. 

The CHRB complaint was first reported by Paulick Report. CHRB complaints are listed on their website.

Seven complaints have been registered since September, another of which includes the John Sadler-trained Higher Power , who tested positive for phenylbutazone after a summer workout, against CHRB rules. The horse is being pointed for the Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at Keeneland Nov. 7.