The Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit is an enforcement arm of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority. The former of the equestrian department conducted an investigation early this year to inquire into the use of banned substances. And through its conducted routine the organization came across 8 of the equines failing the drug test.

The separate finding results dating from June 2nd to July 4th showed that the equines under the California-based stakes-winning trainer were in possession of one of the banned substances. Following the results, the HIWU has imposed penalties on the trainer restricting his presence on the racing tracks.

Equestrian Welfare Organization Imposes Charges

On Friday the 22nd, the Paulick Report reported that Milton Pineda, the famed trainer was imposed with 12 years of suspension from his career. The suspension starting from July 6 2023 will go on until July 5th, 2035. After finding the presence of diisopropylamine in 8 of his horses, the trainer was charged in accordance with the numbers; 18 months of suspension for each horse. Adding to the penalty, Milton was also charged with a fine of $100,000.

The banned substance of diisopropylamine, a vasodilator is used in the treatment of peripheral and cerebral vascular disorders in horses. It is banned by the FDA for its potential to improve performance. The conclusions revealed that Pineda admitted to rule violations and stood in agreement with the consequences. For each of the positive results, Milton has been charged $12,500.

The inquiry and results date back to June when one of Milton’s equine, Bella Renella who finished first at the Santa Anita on June 2nd tested positive after the win. Back in June, only 3 of Pineda’s equines tested positive. However, he wasn’t the only one involved. Besides Pineda, one of Reed Saldana’s equine was also found in possession of the banned substance. But with recent developments, the former’s number increased to 8.

Pineda’s Horses and Track Record

Pineda started his career back in 2019, accumulating a total of 333 starts to his name. Since then he has been a trainee to 49 of the equines that secured a win. However, the number of wins does not include the 8 equines that tested positive during the investigation. Apart from Bella Renella, 7 other equines failed the test after earning a place.

Flatterwithjewels was tested after finishing second at Santa Anita earning a purse of $12,500. The equine was then disqualified and asked to return the purse money. The third on the list was Big Splash who again raced at Santa Anita but this time finishing with a win and earning a purse of $16,000.

Big Splash was also ordered the same fate as the former. Following the two was Chollima who ran first at Los Alamitos on June 23 and at the same venue on July 4th. Earning $8,000 and $12,500 on respective days, the purse money and title slipped from the equine’s hand.

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Once again claiming a win at Los Alamitos were Catbernay, Kepp Your Coil, and Wegonahavagoodtime. The three earned $10,000, $25,000, and $12,500 respectively all in the month of July. Following its findings, the HIWU has gone ahead with disqualifications of all the involved equines and their purses.

Throughout his presence in the industry, Milton has garnered career earnings of $1,045,655. While he remains banned from racecourses under HIWU’s jurisdiction, his restrictions don’t extend to mixed and quarter horse racing. The trainer has won 55 under the mixed and one under the latter. And following the recent findings it remains up to the private holders.

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