Robertson Provisionally Suspended for Banned Drug

Trainer McLean Robertson has been provisionally suspended by the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit following one of his horses testing positive for a banned substance. 

The suspension was posted on the HIWU website and first reported by Paulick Report.

Johnny Up , a 5-year-old gelding tested positive for the progestin altrenogest, which is used to halt estrus in mares. Altrenogest use in geldings, intact males, and spayed mares is prohibited by HIWU. In male horses, the drug is used to suppress aggressiveness.

The gelding tested positive following a triumphant June 4 claiming race at Canterbury Park. In that race, Johnny Up won by 6 1/4 lengths.

Robertson is currently second in earnings at the Shakopee, Minn., track for its current meet. His $362,272 is only $140 behind the leader, Joel Berndt, with two less starts. 

Because Robertson is covered under the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority, he receives an automatic provisional suspension when "charged with possession of or positive tests for banned substances," according to the report. He faces a potential 2-year suspension and a $25,000 fine for breaking HIWU rule 3212—presence of a banned substance and/or its metabolites or markers.

Johnny Up, by Majesticperfection, has only run once this year—the June 4 race. For his career, he is 2-4-0 in 13 starts with earnings of $57,135. He is owned and bred by John Mentz.