Avila to Forego Appeal of Suspension, Fine
Image:
Description:
Trainer A. C. Avila does not plan to appeal his 60-day suspension and $10,000 fine recently handed out by the California Horse Racing Board after one of his runners tested over the permitted level of acepromazine last year.
"I haven't had a vacation since 2008, so I'll make the most of it," said Avila, who plans to leave March 24 to spend two weeks in South America, including Brazil and Uruguay, and 25 days in Europe, including France and Italy.
In a post-race test last March after finishing last in his career debut at Santa Anita Park, Avila-trained Masochistic tested over the limit for the tranquilizer. In his subsequent start, he blew away maiden rivals in a 14-length romp as the 2-1 favorite on the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) undercard at Churchill Downs.
Five-year-old Masochistic, a California-bred Sought After gelding, won an optional claiming event Feb. 28 at Santa Anita in his most recent start for Avila, improving his career line to 4-1-0 from six starts and $223,850 in earnings for Los Pollos Hermanos Racing and Santa Ines Stable.