The Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit posted March 3 that it had sanctioned Kentucky Derby (G1)-winning trainer Gustavo Delgado for a controlled medication finding.
In posting the resolved case, HIWU said Delgado would be suspended for seven days beginning March 4, fined $1,000, and assigned two penalty points.
HIWU, the enforcement arm of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority, reports that Delgado-trained Avant Glory tested positive for the controlled medication capsaicin (or its metabolites) after winning a starter optional claiming race Dec. 26 at Gulfstream Park. Avant Glory will be disqualified from that Dec. 26 race and owner OGMA Investments will lose the purse money.
A controlled medication violation involves a substance that is permitted to treat horses but is highly regulated; as opposed to a banned substance, which is never allowed in a horse’s system. HIWU defines capsaicin as a topical analgesic, sold as Qutenza, Salonpas-Hot, or Zostrix. The TRPV1 channel agonist is supplied in a topical patch.
Delgado won the 2023 Kentucky Derby (G1) with Mage , who was campaigned by CMNWLTH, OGMA Investments, Sterling Racing, and Ramiro Restrepo.
