CHRB Fines, Suspends Trainer O'Neill After Positive

Trainer Doug O'Neill has been suspended at least 30 days and fined $10,000 by the California Horse Racing Board for a positive test of a Class 2 substance in one of his horses. Also, O'Neill was placed on probation until May 1, 2023. 

The two-time winner of the Kentucky Derby (G1) was issued a 60-day suspension, but half is stayed "for good cause," according to the CHRB ruling. That means as long as O'Neill is not in violation of CHRB Rules Nos. 1843, 1843.6, and 1887 regarding Class 1, 2, or 3 substances during his probation period, the other 30 days will not need to be served. He will serve the suspension Nov. 21-Dec. 20.

Should O'Neill violate a condition of his probation, the remaining days of the suspension that were stayed will be imposed in addition to any penalty from the new rule violation.

The CHRB, which announced the suspension Nov. 15, stated that O'Neill's trainee, Worse Read Sanchez , tested positive May 1 after the fifth race at Golden Gate Fields for Hydroxy Lidocaine, a local anesthetic and Class 2 substance. Worse Read Sanchez ran in the Silky Sullivan Stakes, finishing third. Worse Read Sanchez, who is by Square Eddie  and out of the Tapit   mare Walkingonadream, was disqualified and unplaced. 

In a statement posted on his stable's Facebook page, O'Neill wrote that there was a "transfer of medication from a member of my staff who was prescribed a medication for Shingles." He added, "Under the Trainer Absolute Liability Rule, I am liable for this and fully accept the ruling of liability for this unfortunate and unintended contamination."

In its Sept. 11 meeting, the CHRB ruled that the $6,000 in purse money as well as the $3,000 in incentive award issued by the California Breeders Race Fund to O'Neill, jockey Armando Ayuso, and Worse Read Sanchez's owner, Reddam Racing, be returned and redistributed.

For typical administrations, California guidelines call for at least a seven-day withdrawal time for lidocaine.

Attorney Darrell Vienna, representing Reddam Racing owner J. Paul Reddam and O'Neill, told the CHRB that the parties were not contesting the findings of the University of California at Davis Maddy Laboratories. 

Worse Read Sanchez is 1-1-2 in 13 starts with earnings of $95,740 after the disqualification. All but one of his starts have come this year. Worse Read Sanchez has raced once at Golden Gate—May 1—and three times at Del Mar. The other nine starts have come at Santa Anita, where he finished seventh in the San Felipe Stakes (G2) and fourth in the Snow Chief Stakes Presented by City National Bank.