HISA has issued an 18-month suspension to trainer Marisa Monserrate after her horse tested positive for a banned substance, highlighting this week’s enforcement actions across the racing industry.
Monserrate’s horse, Can’t Beat Me, tested positive for 2,5 Dihydroxybenzenesulfonic Acid following a victory at Finger Lakes on July 14. The suspension began October 25, accompanied by a $12,500 fine. According to Equibase, Monserrate has been training since 2023 with 14 wins from 124 starts.
Seven trainers face charges for alleged breaches of rule 3510(d), which covers “refusal or failure without compelling justification to comply with any other provision of the Protocol.” The alleged violations occurred between November 2023 and March 2024.
When asked for clarification, a HIWU spokesperson explained the rule “covers a broad range of potential violations that involve a Covered Person’s refusal to cooperate and/or comply with their obligations as a Covered Person under the ADMC Program Rules.”
“If it is found that a violation was committed, the specific conduct will be disclosed. HIWU cannot comment on additional details of these pending cases,” the spokesperson added.
Resolved ADMC Violations
Michael Troy Newton received a 7-day suspension beginning October 29, disqualification of his horse St. Mary Margaret’s race results, a $1,000 fine, and 2 Penalty Points after admitting to a Lidocaine violation from a sample taken at Belterra Park on August 2.
Scott E. Young received a written reprimand after admitting to an Omeprazole (Gastrogard) violation in a sample from Chitoz’s Blur on September 23.
Doug O’Neill was fined $500 and assessed 1.5 Penalty Points after admitting to a Glycopyrrolate violation in a sample from Divine Wind on September 21.
Maria Bowersock received a $1,000 fine ($500 for each substance) and 3 Penalty Points following a final HIWU decision regarding Flunixin and Phenylbutazone violations in a sample from Nezuko on September 12.
Fenneka T. Bentley’s horse Tiger Paw was disqualified from its Laurel Park victory on July 14 after testing positive for Betamethasone. Bentley admitted to the violation and received a $500 fine and 1.5 Penalty Points.
Hugh McMahon received a 7-day suspension beginning October 23, disqualification of his horse Schrader’s race results, a $1,000 fine, and 2 Penalty Points after admitting to an Acepromazine violation from Colonial Downs on September 13.
Jose Puentes’ horse Yes He Can was disqualified from its Emerald Downs victory on August 29 following a Trichlormethiazide violation. Puentes received a $500 fine and 1.5 Penalty Points per HIWU’s final decision.
Pending ADMC Violations
Ernesto Padilla-Preciado faces a pending violation for Phenylbutazone in a sample from Don’t Listen, who won at Parx Racing on October 1.
Gustavo Rodriguez faces a pending violation for Omeprazole in a sample from Pistol Liz Ablazen on September 26.
Albert Michael Lenzini faces a pending violation for Altrenogest in a sample from Oliver Tiz, who won at Emerald Downs on August 31.
William Blair faces a pending violation for Dexamethasone in a sample from Outrageously, who finished second at Horseshoe Indianapolis on August 21.
Erin Thompson faces a pending violation for possession of Adenosine Triphosphate and Adenosine 5-monophosphate from an event dated July 8.
Gary Sciacca, Chris Englehart, David Jacobson, Antonio Arriaga, Patrick Reynolds, Amira Chichakly and Rodolfo Rodriguez face pending violations for alleged breaches of rule 3510(d) for events occurring between November 2023 and March 2024.
Adam Rice faces a pending violation for Dantrolene in a sample from Little Lamb Chop, who finished third at Presque Isle Downs on September 1.
Felissa Dunn faces a pending violation for possession of Chlorpromazine and Propionylpromazine from an event dated May 27.
