Illinois Racing Board vacates positive test rulings

The Illinois Racing Board (IRB) has vacated the stewards’ rulings regarding positive tests on Jereme’s Jet and Holborn Hanover dating back to 2006, allowing the horses to remain as the winners of the races affected and exonerating their respective trainers. The rulings were made due to an IRB rule adopted May 1 regarding new threshold levels for pyrilamine—which was illegal at the time of the positives—that is now “applied to cases pending before the Board.”

Both Jereme’s Jet and Holborn tested positive for the antihistamine pyrilamine following their wins in the $250,000 Windy City Pace at Maywood Park and the $203,000 American National at Balmoral Park, respectively. Trainers Tom Harmer and Brett Robinson—who is currently serving a lengthy suspension from the Ontario Racing Commission—were both fined $2,500 by the IRB.

According to IRB meeting minutes obtained by harnessracing.com, Jereme’s Jet tested positive for 10.7 nanograms of pyrilamine, while Holborn Hanover tested positive for 3.4 nanograms of pyrilamine. On May 1, the IRB adopted a rule that provides for a threshold level of less than 50 nanograms per milliliter in urine.

Harmer told harnessracing.com Tuesday afternoon that owner Jolene Leahy’s winner’s share of the purse had been held in escrow since the initial ruling. U.S. Trotting Association records have since showed Jereme’s Jet as the winner. However, although Holborn Hanover's winners share has also been held in escrow, the race line on Holborn Hanover had been changed to show the disqualification and earning no purse money for owners Doug Hyatt, Albert Imbrogno and John Fielding, with Lis Mara moved up as the winner and having the $97,440 counted toward his earnings. Additionally, Holborn Hanover died earlier this year.

According to the IRB rulings announced at its monthly meeting Tuesday, “The Board vacated the stewards ruling disqualifying (Jereme’s Jet and Holborn Hanover) and the $2,500 civil penalty assessed to the trainer is also vacated.”

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