The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) has released its weekly roundup of enforcement actions, detailing multiple medication violations and penalties imposed on trainers across various racing jurisdictions.
The following rulings were reported through HISA’s official rulings portal and the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit’s (HIWU) case management system.
Resolved ADMC Violations
Trainer Collin Maragh received a 7-day suspension beginning March 26, 2025, after admitting to a Lidocaine violation. The Class B controlled medication was detected in a sample from Cajun’s Cookin, who finished second at Gulfstream Park on February 14. The ruling includes disqualification of the horse, forfeiture of purse money, a $1,000 fine, and 2 penalty points.
John Toscano faces a 15-day suspension after HIWU’s final decision regarding a DMSO (Class C medication) positive from Mr. Mendelssohn at Turf Paradise. The horse, which finished second on January 25, was disqualified. Toscano received a $1,000 fine and 1.5 penalty points.
Michael Zalalas admitted to multiple intra-articular injection violations involving horses ATM Awesome and Secret Spell. HIWU credited the 36-day suspension already served under Pennsylvania racing authorities, while imposing a $2,500 fine and disqualification of race results.
Trainer Carlos Rondon-Mora received a 15-day suspension beginning March 22 following a Tramadol (Class B) positive from Marvelous Lady, who won at Tampa Bay Downs on December 6, 2024. The penalty includes disqualification, a $1,000 fine, and 2 penalty points.
Salvador Soto faces multiple medication violations for Methocarbamol, Phenylbutazone, and Dexamethasone positives from two horses at Zia Park. HIWU treated the violations as one case, imposing a $1,500 fine and 4.5 total penalty points, along with disqualifications for Geebeesbigboy and Stormy Dame.
Fernando Ferreira received a 60-day suspension beginning March 21 for three separate intra-articular injection violations within 14 days of race day. The violations involved horses Nice Weather, Dance a Little Jig, and Spikes Shirl in late October and early November 2023. HIWU imposed a $5,000 fine and disqualifications.
Thomas Pierce Jr. received the most severe penalty — a two-year suspension beginning March 21 and a $25,000 fine — following a Clenbuterol positive from Angel’s Shadows, who won at Albuquerque on September 2, 2024. The banned substance resulted in disqualification of the horse’s results from two races.
Pending ADMC Violations
Four trainers currently face pending veterinarian’s list medication violations:
- James Nicholson Jr. for Acepromazine (Class B) detected in Midnight Getaway on February 20
- Wayne Catalano for Acepromazine (Class B) detected in Jimmy the Hat on February 25
- Kasey Ray Kemper for Phenylbutazone (Class C) detected in El Siete Leguas on February 24
- Bill McLean for Acepromazine (Class B) detected in Mo Town Gal on February 20
Crop Rule Violations
At Penn National, jockey Jordano Joel Tunon received a $250 fine and one-day suspension for a crop rule violation on March 20.
Two jockeys at Turf Paradise were penalized for crop violations on March 20: Harry Hernandez ($500 fine, two-day suspension) and Francisco Garcia ($750 fine, three-day suspension).
