What Are Your Options if Your Horse Tests Positive for a Banned Substance?

July 28, 2023Operational Bulletins

DO YOU WANT TO HAVE THE B SAMPLE ANALYZED?

1. YES.
• This means that your Provisional Suspension will not start until your B Sample
result comes back. During this time, you may continue to train and race your
horses without interruption.
• You must pay the B Sample analysis fee ($2,000) within 7 calendar days of
requesting it. (In cases of financial hardship, a payment plan may be available.)
• If your B Sample result does not confirm the A Sample finding(s), the case
against you is dismissed and you are refunded the $2,000 for the B Sample
analysis.
• If your B Sample result confirms the A, you will be allowed to race any horses
entered prior to Notification of the B sample confirmation. However, in all
other respects, your Provisional Suspension goes into effect when you are
notified of the B sample results.

2. NO.
You may race any horses entered to race prior to Notification of the positive test.
However, in all other respects, your Provisional Suspension goes into effect when you
either waive your right to have the B sample tested or do not notify HIWU of your
decision within 5 days of being notified of the A sample result.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOUR PROVISIONAL SUSPENSION GOES INTO EFFECT?

You and your staff can continue looking after the horses under your care; however,
these horses cannot breeze or be entered to race unless they are transferred to
another Responsible Person (i.e., trainer) in a bona fide transfer approved by the
stewards. If you are also an Owner, the ownership of your horse (no matter how small) must be transferred in order for the horse to be eligible to breeze or race.
You are also subject to the following: (i) you must take down or cover any personal
signage bearing your name or related to your operations where horses are located at
the racetrack; (ii) you cannot claim horses or bring new horses into your barn; and (iii) you cannot be employed within the Thoroughbred horseracing industry in any other capacity where you come into contact with Covered Horses (including, but not limited to, acting as an agent for an Owner or working as an exercise rider.)
After the imposition of the Provisional Suspension, you can request a Provisional
Suspension hearing (limited to the issue of whether to lift the suspension) or a Final
Hearing to conclude your case as soon as possible.