Purses to be redistributed

Trainers Erv Miller, Bob McIntosh and Casie Coleman have each been fined and their horses have been disqualified from any purse money earned as a result of positive tests for Banamine (Flunixin) during the second week of Grand Circuit racing at The Red Mile in early October.



The Miller-trained older pacing mare Loyal Opposition, recently named a Nova Award winner by Harness Tracks of America, a Dan Patch Award finalist by the U.S. Harness Writers Association, and an O'Brien Award finalist by Standardbred Canada, has been disqualified from her victory in the $80,000 Allerage Farm Series final at The Red Mile Oct. 8.



McIntosh received two Banamine positives: one for the 3-year-old colt pacer I Zee, who finished fifth in a $230,500 Tattersalls division Oct. 8, and another for the 2-year-old filly trotter China Tea Party, who won a $10,000 late-closer Oct. 4. Coleman's horse that tested positive was the 3-year-old colt pacer Theredandpanlines, who finished seventh in a $235,550 Tattersalls division Oct. 8 and did not earn any purse money.



Additionally, veterinarian Dr. Richard Mather was fined a total of $1,500 for administering the Banamine to the horses trained by Miller and McIntosh.



According to Marc Guilfoil, the Racing Authority's director of Standardbred Racing, the delay in announcing the results was due to a thorough investigation and that it was deemed the positives were "not a result of malicious intent." Guilfoil added that the penalties were in line with those previously issued for the same infractions and that the trainers have until Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2006, to file an appeal.

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