Trainer Phil D’Amato Was Fined $1,000 in a Ruling Based on KHRC Medication Rules

In May of this year, Hong Kong Harry, valued at over eight hundred thousand dollars, participated in the $1 million Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic. The six-year-old gelding secured second place, trailing behind Up To The Mark, trained by Todd Pletcher. This result was particularly satisfying for trainer Phil D’Amato, as the race took place on Kentucky Derby Day.

However, Phil D’Amato’s satisfaction was short-lived, as his trained gelding was disqualified from the race due to the discovery of a banned substance in its urine samples, in violation of the medical codes of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission. The trainer was also fined for this violation.

Phil D’Amato fined for the violation

According to Blood-Horse, on an August 26 ruling by the stewards of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, the trainer Phil D’Amato was fined $1,000 and his horse disqualified from the race for the violation of the medical rules of the Association of Racing Commissioners International classification. The ruling mentioned that a banned substance, mofebutazone, was found in both the urine sample and the follow-up split sample of Hong Kong Harry. Mofebutazone, a mild painkiller used for the treatment of joint and muscular pain, is not approved by the FDA for use in animals.

Therefore, it is considered a banned substance by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority. However, at the time of the Turf Classic, HISA’s anti-doping control program, which carries a two-year ban and a $25,000 fine for trainers, was not yet in effect and was only implemented on May 22nd. Therefore, the stewards based their ruling on the medical rules of the Association of Racing Commissioner International (ARCI). According to ARCI, mofebutazone is classified as a class 4 drug, which is considered to have the potential to influence performance, albeit with limited capacity.

This ruling came after the famous Medina Spirit case, where the KHRC disqualified the horse from the Kentucky Derby, and its trainer Bob Baffert was fined and banned. In this case, the owners and the trainer waived their rights to a formal hearing and accepted the decision.

Phil D’Amato’s reply to the fine

Phil D’Amato gave his reaction to the disqualification and fine through his attorney Darrell Vienna. The attorney said that they presented their evidence to the stewards and it was viewed by them. But, he further added, “Based upon the specific facts and circumstances in the case, the stewards reached what in my opinion was a fair and appropriate decision“.

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He denied that his client Phil D’Amato had neither administered the banned substance nor caused it to be administered in any circumstances. He explained that the substance was found in extremely low quantities and it didn’t have any considerable effect on the equine’s performance.

The ruling of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission stewards on Hong Kong Harry and trainer Phil D’Amato shows the vigilance of the organization towards the anti-doping menace. The trainer had shown his good faith by waiving the formal hearing right and accepting the ruling as per the law.

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