In Good Spirits DQ'd From Fourth in Stakes for Flunixin
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Photo: Coady Photography
Prior to running in the Franklin County Stakes at Keeneland, In Good Spirits wins the Ladies Sprint Stakes at Kentucky Downs
Bal Mar Equine's In Good Spirits , fourth in the Buffalo Trace Franklin County Stakes (G3T) at Keeneland Oct. 15, has been disqualified from the race and trainer Al Stall Jr. fined $500 after the Ghostzapper filly tested positive for flunixin.
Flunixin is a regularly used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory often referred to by its brand name Banamine. Violations related to the medication in Kentucky fall in Class C, carrying lesser penalties than those in Class B or Class A, drugs with more potential to affect performance.
According to regulations posted on the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission website, flunixin is in a group of NSAIDs in which only one may be administered up to 48 hours before post time. The recommended minimum withdrawal is extended from 48 hours to six days if it is not the single elected NSAID. In Kentucky, flunixin has an available threshold level of 5 nanograms per milliliter in serum or plasma.
In their ruling issued Dec. 23, Kentucky stewards noted In Good Spirits had a blood sample containing flunixin at a level of 12.3 nanograms per milliliter. A split sample confirmed the finding, the ruling stated.
Stewards ordered In Good Spirit's purse money from the Franklin County forfeited. She had been set to earn $7,500 after running behind Change of Control , Ambassador Luna , and Campanelle .
In Good Spirits is a graded stakes winner with a 4-2-2 record in 14 starts.