Penalties levied in Indiana

Four horsemen that competed at Hoosier Park this spring have been assessed severe penalties after horses racing under their care tested positive for dexamethasone. Trainer Mark P’Pool received the harshest administrative penalty handed down by the Indiana Horse Racing Commission, calling for a six-year suspension and $30,000 fine.

IHRC Executive Director Joe Gorajec issued the preliminary reports Aug. 21 and 22, calling for administrative penalties above and beyond the maximum – 60 days and a $1,000 fine – that is permitted by state statutes. During the course of the Hoosier Park meet Gorajec’s report states that 10 horses from the P’Pool stable tested positive for banned substances on 11 occasions. The trainer was previously assessed two 60-day suspensions and $2,000 in fines associated with the dexamethasone positives.

Owner Donald Bush and trainer Leo Banks, both of Ohio, have each received administrative penalties including a two-year suspension and $10,000 fine following three horses in their care testing positive for dexamethasone in May. Fellow Ohio-based trainer Craig Cornachione also received a two-year suspension and $10,000 fine. Three horses from his stable tested positive in April and May at the Anderson oval.

All four individuals have up to 20 days to request a hearing. If a hearing is requested, the IHRC will assign an administrative law judge. According to the preliminary reports each were found in violation of Indiana Administrative Code 71 IAC 8-1-1 which states, “No horse participating in a race or entered in a race shall carry in its body any foreign substance… within twenty-four (24) hours prior to the scheduled post time for the first race except furosemide as provided for in this rule.”

In a letter to the IHRC dated July 17, 2006, Scott Waterman, DVM, Executive Director of the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium defined dexamethasone as “a potent, quick acting corticosteroid. As such it has a rapid onset of anti-inflammatory activity in the horse. However, our anecdotal information suggests this drug is administered on raceday for the ‘euphoric’ effect that some corticosteroids produce shortly after administration.”

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