The New York State Gaming Commission voted unanimously (6-0) on Monday to suspend Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher 14 days and fine him $2,000 for a Butazolidin overage in the horse Capensis which occurred in the summer of 2022.
Capensis finished sixth in an allowance race at Saratoga, the 10th race on July 30, 2022. After the race, the Tapit colt tested positive for an overage of phenylbutazone, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication. This was prior to the implementation of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority's (HISA) Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) program, and thus falls under the jurisdiction of the NYSGC.
Pletcher requested a hearing, which was held on Nov. 9, 2023. The hearing officer submitted a report to the NYSGC on Jan. 31, 2024, recommending that the 14-day penalty and $2,000 fine be implemented and the Capensis be disqualified from his sixth-place finish.
Commissioners voted during Monday's meeting to uphold the hearing officer's recommendation. The exact dates Pletcher will serve his 14-day suspension will be decided by New York stewards, according to the NYSGC.
The penalty is stricter than standard for a Bute overage because it occurred within one year of Pletcher's positive test for meloxicam in 2022 Hopeful Stakes (G1) winner Forte. The latest on that case is available below:
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