Indiana Reports Multiple Medication Sanctions

After eliminating a backlog of drug testing samples from Thoroughbred races, the Indiana Horse Racing Commission announced a long list of sanctions levied against trainers from Aug. 1 through the end of October.

In a ruling log presented at its Nov. 17 meeting, the IHRC announced sanctions against nine trainers and one veterinarian for medication-related violations. The trainer sanctions included disqualification of all nine horses involved in races at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino, fines, and some suspensions.



Eight of the nine sanctions involved overages of anti-inflammatory substances.

The following list includes the trainer, sanction, medication involved, date of race, and horse involved. All of these horses were disqualified to last with purse money forfeited.

• Genaro Garcia, $1,000 fine, dexamethasone, in a July 12 maiden claiming race ($15,000 total purse), in which he saddled Dream of Bertie, who finished first.

• Anthony Granitz, $1,000 fine, dexamethasone, in a May 28 claiming race ($13,000 total purse), in which he saddled Miss Charity Cat, who finished second.

• Marvin Johnson, $1,000 fine, methylprednisolone, in an Aug. 26 claiming race ($10,500 total purse) in which he saddled Aquis, who finished first.

• Wayne Minnock, $1,000 fine, dexamethasone, in a May 23 claiming race ($16,000 total purse) in which he saddled Tazdue, who finished first.

• Manuel Perez, clenbuterol, $500 and a 15-day suspension that was served Sept. 29-Oct. 13, following an Aug. 28 allowance/optional claiming race ($36,000 total purse) in which he saddled Julie Darlin, who finished first.

• Michael Rone, methylprednisolone, $1,500 fine and 15-day suspension served Sept. 28-Oct. 12, following an Aug. 22 allowance/optional claiming race ($34,000 total purse) in which he saddled runner-up Corso's Law.

• Stan Seagle, $1,000 fine, dexamethasone, in a Sept. 9 claiming race ($14,000 total purse) in which he saddled second-place finisher Dreaminofthewin.

• Ricky Short, $1,000 fine, dexamethasone, in a July 16 claiming race in which he saddled Wild Student, who finished first.

• Aaron West, $1,000 fine, flunixin, in a Sept. 11 maiden claiming race ($15,000 total purse) in which he saddled Hesacutabove, who finished first.

All nine of the positives are for therapeutic medications that are allowed to be used in horses in training but cannot be in the horse's system, or cannot be in the horse's system at a certain threshold level, on race day. Eight of the sanctions were for anti-inflammatory medications with five being for dexamethasone, an anti-inflammatory often sold as Azium, two for methylprednisolone (Medrol), and one for flunixin (Banamine.)

On the Association of Racing Commissioners' Uniform Classification Guidelines for Foreign Substances, all three of these anti-inflammatory medications are considered Class 4 substances defined as a therapeutic medication with limited ability to improve performance. 

Clenbuterol, which is used to treat equine breathing issues, is a Class 3 substance because of its potential to provide anabolic effects. 

The regulator also announced that veterinarian Kate Hammer had been fined $1,000 for administering Salix (furosemide) too close to race time on July 17. Furosemide must be administered at least four hours before a race.

Indiana officials Nov. 21 also updated the status of four individuals who were summarily suspended for an alleged race-day injection administered by veterinarian Ross Russell. In a 38-page administrative complaint filed Oct. 23, a 20-year suspension was recommended for Russell following his alleged injection of Tam Tuff on race day Sept. 19.

Richard Estvanko, an assistant to Tam Tuff's trainer Anthony Granitz, was summarily suspended Sept. 19. On Oct. 31 the merits of Estvanko's case were considered and the stewards issued a 60-day suspension, including time served from when he was summarily suspended.

A groom from the stable, Christina Estvanko, was summarily suspended for her actions toward the IHRC's witness in the case. Christina Estvanko, who is the wife of Richard Estvanko, has not had her case completed. Granitz was not summarily suspended, but on Oct. 31 was fined $2,000.

Mike Norris was summarily suspended Aug. 26 for alleged dealings with Russell. In the 38-page administrative report, Russell, through an assistant, allegedly provided trainer Norris with loaded syringes. Norris appealed that suspension but an administrative law judge upheld the IHRC's decision. The trainer's representative has filed objections to that ruling.

The IHRC will consider the merits of the case in January. Norris remains summarily suspended and an administrative report is expected soon.

A backlog of samples had accrued over the past several months at the lab Indiana was using, LGC Laboratory in Lexington. In late August the commission diverted all its race day pari-mutuel samples to Industrial Laboratory in Denver, Colo. On Oct. 9, the commission sent all suspicious samples awaiting confirmation testing at LGC to Industrial.

From Aug. 1 to Oct. 31 the IHRC also levied fines or suspensions for medication violations involving 14 Standardbreds and six Quarter Horses.