Breeders' Cup: Forte Passed All Pre-Race Requirements

While the connections of Forte  await a hearing officer's decision on a failed post-race drug test after his victory in last year's Hopeful Stakes (G1), they will not have to sweat any consequences of not reporting that test outcome to Breeders' Cup.

In breaking a story noting that through early May the New York State Gaming Commission had not publicly disclosed Forte's failed post-race test after the 2022 Hopeful at Saratoga Race Course, the New York Times followed up with a blog where it noted the Breeders' Cup has a rule on reporting pending cases of failed tests.

BloodHorse followed up with Breeders' Cup on any potential ramifications for the horse, trainer (Todd Pletcher), or owners (Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable). In a statement, Breeders' Cup confirmed that it was not informed by the connections of the failed test but added that breaking the rule does not necessarily call for an entry to be denied. 

"We were not aware of the recently reported positive test but if we had been, that in itself would not have triggered a decision on whether the horse was able to enter," a Breeders' Cup spokesperson said. "He had passed all of the pre-race regulatory, veterinary, and testing requirements to race in Kentucky as well as Breeders' Cup's best-in-class testing protocols, which include out-of-competition, pre- and post-race testing."

The 2022 Breeders' Cup Horsemen's Information Guide asks that such pending findings are reported. It reads:

"If any connection of the above-described horse has been notified by a regulatory body, racetrack, or racing association about a pending or potential anti-doping or medication control violation involving the connection, or that such connection is currently banned, ejected, or denied from participating in racing in its jurisdiction or facility, such connection must immediately report the same to Breeders' Cup. A positive test may report the presence of substance(s) administered to a horse prior to six months before the BCWC (Breeders' Cup World Championships)."

After posting a three-length victory in the Hopeful, Forte won the Breeders' Futurity (G1) by a neck at Keeneland. The son of Violence   then captured the Juvenile at Keeneland by 1 1/2 lengths over Cave Rock . Forte is considered a contender for this year's Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) off his Florida Derby (G1) win and runner-up finish in the Belmont Stakes (G1). He is entered in the Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) July 29 at Saratoga.

Breeders' Cup expressed hope that such situations will be eliminated going forward as the sport this year has shifted oversight of its anti-doping and medication control policies from state regulators to the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority, which has promised to quickly disclose such findings.

"Fortunately, the implementation of HISA's new integrity reforms, uniform rules, and enhanced testing protocols will ensure a more timely adjudication and public disclosure of these instances," the statement said.