Troubles for Trainer Lynch; Private Zone Out

With trainer Brian Lynch facing a positive marijuana test affecting his good standing, multiple grade I winner Private Zone will be scratched from the $250,000 True North Stakes (gr. II) June 10 at Belmont Park.

Lee Park, spokesperson for the New York Stake Gaming Commission, said: "The commission determined administratively that Private Zone is not eligible."

Retired jockey Rene Douglas of Good Friends Stable said the horse had to be scratched after Lynch had a positive drug test for marijuana. With Lynch's good standing with the NYSGC changing after entries were taken, state rules do not allow Private Zone to be re-entered under a different trainer's name.

Douglas said he believes the treatment of Lynch was heavy-handed and the rule that forced Private Zone to be scratched punishes the horse and owner, even though they didn't break any rules.

"This is the first time he has had something like this happen; it's nothing that bad," Douglas said. "It's unfair for the owner and unfair for the horse. It takes a lot to get a horse ready for a race, it's a big investment."

Douglas said he also feels bad for the fans who were looking forward to seeing Private Zone run. The Macho Uno   gelding was scheduled to make his 6-year-old debut Friday.

Douglas said they'll figure out where to next start the horse, and that they plan to stick with Lynch as the horse's trainer.