NEWS
Arlington Oaks winner DQed following drug positive
Posted: Monday, August 23, 2010 3:41 PM
by Neil Milbert
Arlington Park stewards have disqualified Upperline from her win in the $100,000 Arlington Oaks (G3) on July 3 and suspended her trainer Mike Stidham after she tested positive for etodolac, a prohibited non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug.
Stidham trains the three-year-old Maria’s Mon filly for a partnership that includes himself, John Adger, Stone Farm, and Oakcrest Farm. The Arlington Oaks was her first start since finishing fifth in the Central Bank Ashland Stakes (G1) on April 3 at Keeneland, and she has not raced since finishing first in the Arlington Oaks by six lengths.
The University of Illinois at Chicago’s forensic toxicology laboratory conducted the testing. Stidham will begin serving his suspension on September 6.
The disqualification promotes Arlignton Oaks runner-up Snow Top Mountain to the win position, which is worth $60,000 total. Dundalk Dust is now second with Chantilly Nayla third in the 1 1/8-mile race on Polytrack for three-year-old fillies. Upperline is considered unplaced, and her owners had to forfeit her earnings.
Stidham is the second high-profile Arlington trainer to receive a suspension this month for an etodolac positive. Earlier Nick Canani, who is second in the trainer standings and is the private trainer for ten-time leading Arlington owner Frank Calabrese, received a 30-day suspension beginning August 26 for five positive tests in June and July.
In addition to Stidham and Calabrese, trainer Ingrid Mason has been suspended for an etodolac violation. Her horse, Valise, tested positive after winning the fourth race on July 10. Like Stidham, Mason also received a 15-day suspension that begins September 6.
The Association of Racing Commissioners International lists etodolac as a Class 3 medication, which are “Drugs that may or may not have generally accepted medical use in the racing horse, but the pharmacology of which suggests less potential to affect performance than drugs in Class 2. Drugs in this class include bronchodilators and other drugs with primary effects on the autonomic nervous system, procaine, antihistamines with sedative properties and the high-ceiling diuretics.”
RCI also notes that etodolac “is not available in the United States in a Federal Drug Administration-approved equine formulation.”
Neil Milbert is an Illinois correspondent of Thoroughbred Times
READER COMMENTS
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Posted by: David, Keedysville, MD on September 09, 2010 at 08:14 AM
Saret- while withdrawal times are indeed sometimes the issue, it's the repeat offenders that are ruining this business. NOT just the trainers- but the stupid greedy owners who should take their horses from the known drug trainers. We all know who they are, it's not a secret to anyone who handicaps races regularly. When cobra venum is found why did that 'trainer' only get a yr.? ( I think he's banned everywhere else in the world)! Sadly, the powers that be don't have the will or the power to really get tough, often because the monied people are the owners who support the cheaters. The only solution i see is that the bettors not bet any race that has a cheating trainer entry. Now that would get someone's attention!
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Posted by: Buford T. justice, lone star, TX on August 28, 2010 at 12:16 AM
Simple solution to illegal drugging in America. Just like say, bank tellers and fbi agents who sign an agreement that requires polygraph testing if neccesary, they should pass a new national law, requiring all licensed vetenarians practicng at racetracks here, submit to polygraph testing requested by a racing commission. Question 1: Do you have any knowledge of a drug being administered to a racehorse involving the horse____,trainer______on date_____in race___. Question 2: Did you or an associate provide any drug to Trainer______? etc etc etc.. If they lie, license revoked permanently, huge fine, and/or prison. Hell, while they are at it, do the trainers the same way.
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Posted by: rishard, albany, NY on August 25, 2010 at 01:01 PM
Did I read that right ? 30 days for 5 positive tests in June and July ? Much longer suspensions are needed .
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Posted by: Gary, St.Louis, MO on August 25, 2010 at 07:22 AM
If you take away vets and drugs from these trainers most of them would not survive because they cant train anything without them. And, they have the cheek to call themselves "horsemen"
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Posted by: Bellwether, Ckesapeake, VA on August 25, 2010 at 01:13 AM
THIRTY DAYS...PLEASE...SAME OLD DUE DUE...BU$TED I$ BUSTED...CHEAT N I$ CHEAT N...GOD SAVE THE KING!!!...ty...
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