Sullivan Suspended, Fined for Joint Injection Violation

Trainer Elliot Sullivan, who races primarily in Ohio and the Mid-Atlantic region, has been suspended for 30 days and fined $2,500 for giving an interarticular injection within 14 days of a race, according to the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit.

According to details of the case's resolution published by HIWU, Sullivan admitted to the violation March 28 and accepted the penalties without a hearing. The 5-year-old mare My d'Valentine was the horse who received the injection Feb. 8 and then raced in a 5 1/2-furlong claiming race Feb. 20 at Mahoning Valley Racecourse, where she finished fifth. The daughter of Orb  was claimed for $7,500 Feb. 1 at Mahoning Valley by Sullivan on behalf of owner/breeder Bruno Schickedanz. She is a half sister to multiple stakes-placed winner Reason to Soar (Soaring Empire).

My d'Valentine was disqualified from the Feb. 20 race and the $363 she earned was forfeited. She has a 1-1-5 record from 32 starts made from 2 to 5 and has earned $46,853.

Sullivan's suspension will run March 30-April 29. 

According to Equibase records, Sullivan started training in 2009. He has saddled 2,451 starters that included 505 winners and 811 placed finishes. He's earned $5,223,755 in earnings. This year, his starters are 5-3-4 from 29 starts with $81,644 in earnings.