Woolley Handed 180-Day Suspension, Fined in Arizona

The Arizona Horse Racing Commission has handed trainer Bennie "Chip" Woolley Jr. a 180-day suspension for possession of an illegal needle and syringe, according to a Feb. 15 stewards' ruling.

A fine of $2,500 was also levied against Woolley in addition to a 5% surcharge which goes to the Race Horse Adoption Fund, bringing his total due to $2,625.

Woolley appeared in a hearing Tuesday represented by legal counsel, according to the ruling. He was already summarily suspended as of Feb. 8 in Arizona pending the hearing. 

BLOODHORSE STAFF: Derby-Winning Trainer Woolley Summarily Suspended

The stewards also referred the case to the director of the Arizona department of racing, "with the recommendation that further action is required due to the severity of this violation, which calls into question the honesty and integrity of horse racing in Arizona."

Woolley told BloodHorse Thursday that he would be evaluating his legal options. He had no further comment.

Training mainly in the Southwest, Woolley gained notoriety in 2009 when he won the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) with Double Eagle Ranch Buena Suerte Equine's 50-1 longshot Mine That Bird. The Birdstone gelding finished second in the BlackBerry Preakness Stakes (G1) and third in the Belmont Stakes (G1) under Woolley's care.

Woolley's stable is 3-for-30 in 2022, with earnings of $85,376. His most recent starter was Kelley Brooks' Caucus Rules, who ran third in the Feb. 4 ATBA Sales Stakes at Turf Paradise.