Trainers Bob Baffert and Val Brinkerhoff were each sanctioned by Del Mar stewards Nov. 29 regarding medication violations that involved several of their horses dating over the last 16 months.
Baffert was fined $2,500 after 3-year-old Merneith tested positive for the medication dextromethorphan in a post-race test taken after the filly finished second in the fourth race July 25 at Del Mar.
Dextromethorphan, a metabolite and common ingredient often found in cough syrup, is classified by the Association of Racing Commissioners International as a Class 4 drug. Class 4 drugs include therapeutic medications and corticosteroids, antihistamines, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs at concentrations greater than established limits.
"The groom that had Merneith had (COVID-19), and when he came back, he was treating a cough with Dayquil and Nyquil," said Baffert's attorney, W. Craig Robertson III, in October after the initial complaint had been filed by the California Horse Racing Board. "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."
In the case of Brinkerhoff, the trainer has been suspended 45 days and fined $3,000 after now 4-year-old Girl Can Partie tested positive for metaproterenol, a bronchodilator similar to clenbuterol, after winning the seventh race at Del Mar Aug. 1 in 2019. The prohibited medication is a Class 3 drug.
According to Sunday's ruling Brinkerhoff's suspension will run from Dec. 7 to Jan. 21. During that time, Brinkerhoff will not be allowed to attend the races or have access to any premises within the jurisdiction.