Kentucky Stewards Suspend Pair of Trainers
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Photo: Coady Photography
Played Hard has been disqualified from her June 20 maiden win at Churchill Downs
Kentucky-based trainers Philip Bauer and Greg Foley each face a suspension in December following rulings by Kentucky stewards last week that recently were posted to the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission site.
The stewards suspended Bauer for 30 days after meloxicam was found in post-race samples in a pair of his horses that raced this summer. Angkor failed a post-race test after finishing third in an allowance-optional claiming race June 13 at Churchill Downs and a week later Played Hard failed a test after winning a maiden race at Churchill.
Trainer Philip Bauer
Because Bauer had not been informed of the first positive before the second positive occurred, the stewards viewed the two findings as a single incident in assessing the 30-day suspension (Dec. 5-Jan 3). The multiple graded stakes-winning trainer also was fined $500 for each violation. Both horses were disqualified, costing Rigney Racing—owner of both horses—$67,688 in purses. Colonel Bowman is now considered the third-place finisher of the June 13 race behind Therideofalifetime and Macron . Laynlomakndough is now the winner of the June 20 maiden.
Meloxicam is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory. It is considered a Class B (second-highest of concern) violation in Kentucky. According to available records through OwnerView.com, this is the first medication violation to result in a fine or suspension for Bauer in his eight years of conditioning horses.
Trainer Greg Foley
Foley, also a multiple graded stakes winner, will be suspended for 15 days (Dec. 5-19) after his runner On Your Mark failed a post-race test after finishing first in an Aug. 1 allowance race at Ellis Park. On Your Mark tested positive for a metabolite of the sedative acepromazine: 1-hydroxyethyl promazine sulfoxide (HEPS). Kentucky lists the positive as a Class B violation.
Owners Steve Andriot, Steve Vanovich, and Brad Cain forfeit a winning purse of $15,300. Robo Man is now listed as the winner of the Aug. 1 allowance upon the disqualification of On Your Mark.
The stewards noted Foley's excellent record relative to horses started as a mitigating circumstance and stayed 15 days of what could have been a 30-day suspension. According to available records at OwnerView, it's the first failed drug test for a horse trained by Foley since 2016.