Baltas Gets Continuance For Drug Violation Hearing

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Photo: Photos byZ/Keeneland
Richard Baltas

California trainer Richard Baltas, who faces a fine and/or suspension for multiple medication violations, has had his hearing with Los Alamitos Race Course stewards delayed for 30 days, according to the trainer's attorney.

Attorney Darrell Vienna told Daily Racing Form June 27 the new hearing will not be heard earlier than July 31 at Del Mar.  He said he asked for the continuance because he had seen the complaint only seven days before a hearing scheduled for July 1 and needed more time.

The California Horse Racing Board formally issued a regulatory complaint June 21 against Baltas, a month and a half after track operator 1/ST Racing began prohibiting him from racing or breezing horses at Santa Anita Park and other 1/ST Racing tracks pending an investigation.

A complaint differs from a stewards' ruling in that it is an alleged violation that has not been adjudicated.  

In the complaint, the board stated between April 15 and May 8, 23 of Baltas' horses were captured on surveillance video being administered Higenamine and Paeonol by members of Baltas' staff. According to the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, Higenamine is a stimulant that is classified as a beta-2 agonist, which means it is banned at all times—in and out of competition. Paeonol, according to the National Library of Medicine, has been used for decades as an anti-inflammatory for people.

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