PA Commission Reverses Penalties for Artie's Princess

The Pennsylvania State Horse Racing Commission in a July 28 ruling has reversed the disqualification issued to Artie's Princess  in 2022. 

Trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., Artie's Princess initially won the Presque Isle Downs Masters Stakes (G2) Sept. 19, 2022, at Presque Isle Downs. Owned and bred by Ken Ramsey and the estate of Sarah Ramsey, Artie's Princess won the 6 1/2-furlong race on the all-weather track by a length and a half. 

According to the initial ruling dated Feb. 28, after a post-race positive test for gabapentin, Joseph "availed himself to the right of the testing of the split sample." That sample came back positive, leading to the disqualification and the return of the purse money. Joseph was suspended 15 days and fined $500. 

But the ruling issued Friday states, "After additional investigation and review of the available scientific literature, or lack thereof, on the effects of gabapentin in horses at the low levels detected in the urine herein, and at the timing of the samples herein, and noting that the level of gabapentin in the blood in this sample was not detected by the laboratory, and noting that, after review of the available scientific literature and consultation with the laboratory personnel, it is unlikely for gabapentin to have had an effect on the horse. As a result, certain factors related to the penalty may not be able to be proven to the applicable burden of proof."

In addition to reversing the disqualification, the commission also returned $240,000 in purses and rescinded Joseph's fine and suspension.

According to Merck Animal Health, gabapentin "is used to treat neuropathic pain or pain caused by damage to the peripheral nerves or to the spinal cord."

Restoring the Masters Stakes win gives Artie's Princess two career grade 2 wins and four stakes wins. The 6-year-old mare, by We Miss Artie  out of the Stormy Atlantic mare Stormkeeper, did not finish in the top three in two races this year. The Masters Stakes was her last trip to the winner's circle. For her career, she is 7-1-0 from 15 starts with $563,884 in earnings.