Parx Based Lee Suspended 365 Days, Fined $10,000

Haleem R. Lee, a trainer based at Parx Racing, was fined $10,000 and suspended 365 days after the Pennsylvania State Horse Racing Commission concluded with the final ruling in the case that his horse Satchel de Ritches  was found to have the banned substance Tadalafil in his system after winning a starter allowance race April 11 at the Bensalem, Pa., track.

Tadalafil, commercially sold as Cialis and Adcirca, is a vasodilator used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia or erectile dysfunction in humans. The drug can also be prescribed to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (high blood pressure in the lungs).

When used in horses, studies have shown it may reduce estimates of pulmonary arterial pressure, lessen clinical signs, and improve exercise capacity and quality of life after administration of the equine counterpart drug sildenafil (per NexGen Pharmaceuticals, which compounds the drug). 

The 6-year-old Country Day  gelding won the third race April 11 over 6 1/2 furlongs by an impressive 2 1/2-length margin over Midlaner , who was initially second, but since has been promoted to first along with prize money of $21,000 to owner Hardesty Stables and trainer Michael Moore.

Owner/trainer Lee appeared before the board of stewards with his counsel Alan Pincus July 7 to hear the confirmed findings that the split sample taken from his horse violated rules 185.7(a), 303.13(a) (b), 401.2(a)(1), 401.3, and 401.45.

He will serve a 365-day ban commencing Aug. 1 through July 30, 2024, was fined $10,000, and was assigned six multiple medication violation points. During his suspension, Lee is denied privileges on all grounds under the jurisdiction of the Pennsylvania State Horse Racing Commission. All horses he owns or trains are suspended pending approved transfer by the stewards.

The violation occurred before HISA's Anti-Doping and Medications Control Program was implemented May 22. HISA classifies Tadalafil as a banned substance, and a positive finding would be subject to immediate provisional suspension, the potential of a two-year ban, and a fine of $25,000.

According to Equibase, Lee has trained 329 starters with a record of 55-57-56 and earnings of $1,425,716. His best year in 2022, he earned $655,142 with a 21% win rating. He has been training in the United States since 2020. His best horse, Get the W , a 10-year-old gelding by Mineshaft  , which he also owns under Lee Stables, has earned $500,438 in 94 starts with a record of 15-19-10, winning last out April 17 at Parx in race 9, a starter allowance.