Mind Control DQ'd From '22 Parx Win; Pletcher Suspended

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Photo: Bill Denver/EQUI-PHOTO
Mind Control (outside) edges Far Mo Power in the 2022 Parx Dirt Mile Stakes at Parx Racing

In a long-awaited ruling issued Aug. 18 and published on the Pennsylvania Horse Racing Commission website, Parx Racing stewards disqualified grade 1 winner Mind Control   and suspended Hall of Fame Trainer Todd Pletcher 15 days for an equine medication violation in the 2022 Parx Dirt Mile Stakes. 

The ruling calls for Pletcher’s suspension to run from Aug. 30-Sept. 13, but should he appeal and a stay be granted, that could be altered. Pletcher also was fined $500 and assigned a half point on the multiple medication violation point system.

Mind Control, now at stud, has been placed last in the Parx Dirt Mile, forfeiting $114,000 purse money from the race contested 11 months ago. The son of Stay Thirsty   competed for owners Red Oak Stable and Madaket Stables.

During an Aug. 9 hearing, Pletcher made his testimony via telephone, while his counsel Karen Murphy was present before the board of stewards to hear the final review of evidence by Dr. Mary Robinson, finding that the initial sample taken Sept. 24, 2022, and the split specimen, both tested positive for the prohibited drug hydrochlorothiazide.

Hydrochlorothiazide may be used in equines to treat hyperkalemic periodic paralysis by helping to reduce the amount of potassium in the blood, according to brief.vet. The Food and Drug Administration has approved this drug for use in humans to treat hypertension. Pletcher was found to be in violation of seven Pennsylvania Codes: SECTION 185.2, 185.7 (a), 303.13 (A), (B), 401.2 (a) (1), 401.3 & 401.45.

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The disqualification and suspension for Pletcher is the second high-profile violation for the trainer in 2022 stakes races. In May, following another lengthy time period before adjudication, Repole and St. Elias Stable's Forte  was disqualified from last year's Hopeful Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course for testing positive for meloxicam, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication. Pletcher was fined and suspended 10 days. The disqualification and sanctions are under appeal. He also encountered several therapeutic medication positives over the winter in Florida.

At the time of the violations, individual states were responsible for issuing sanctions related to medication violations. The Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit, the enforcement arm of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority, now regulates such matters in most states under HISA's Anti-Doping and Medication Control Program. HISA officials have said they expect turnaround for adjudications will be reduced to a few months under the ADMC Program.

The new order of finish for the Parx Derby will show Joseph Sutton's Far Mo Power  as the winner, with Dontmesawithme  second and New Commission  third. It's the first stakes win for Far Mo Power, a Pennsylvania-bred son of Uncle Lino  .