Peter Miller accepted a $5,000 fine last month for failing to have custody or control of a horse he had entered in an autumn race at Santa Anita.

“Pursuant to a settlement agreement and mutual release with the California Horse Racing Board, trainer Peter Miller, who was listed as a trainer in the official program for Hardmoneymuchachos in the second race at Santa Anita Park on Oct. 27, 2024, is fined $5,000 for violation of CHRB rule 1581.1 (covering) entries, horse not in his custody or control at time of entry,” according to a stewards ruling on the CHRB website.

Daily Racing Form was the first to report the penalty that was posted by the CHRB on Jan. 24.

The ruling went on to say that Miller was required to pay the fine “within seven calendar days from the date of the ruling, or the license of the person upon whom the fine has been imposed shall be suspended.”

The original complaint was filed against Miller on Oct. 26 by CHRB investigator Hiroshi Yokoyama.

“On Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024, trainer Peter Miller entered Hardmoneymuchachos to race at Santa Anita Park on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024,” Yokoyama wrote. “The racing program was published, and Hardmoneymuchachos was the favorite (6-5) in race 2 among four other horses including another horse by trainer Miller named Granada Flavor. On the day before the race, EquiTAPS showed the horse had not cleared its racing soundness examination.

“A subsequent check of Equibase showed the horse was also entered to race on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024, at Mountaineer by trainer Juan Pablo Silva. The CHRB regulatory veterinarian at San Luis Rey Downs attempted to conduct an examination of Hardmoneymuchachos on Oct. 26, 2024. However, trainer Miller’s staff advised the horse was sick and had shipped out to a farm.”

“San Luis Rey Downs stable records showed Hardmoneymuchachos was transported to Phoenix, Ariz., on Oct. 21, 2024, in a vehicle owned by Juan Pablo (Silva) three days prior to when entries closed for the race at Santa Anita Park. The Santa Anita Park racing office completed a scratch form for Hardmoneymuchachos after trainer Miller advised the horse was sick and was not on the grounds. The official veterinarian then completed a scratch form and placed Hardmoneymuchachos on the California veterinarian’s list as of Oct 27, 2024.”

Hardmoneymuchachos, a 5-year-old California Chrome gelding won a race for Silva on Nov. 25 at Mountaineer. In a career that has yielded $61,702 from a record of 14: 3-3-1, he has bounced between owners Annex Racing; Richard Gossom, Dylan Donnelly; the partnership of CYBT, Michael Nentwig and Ray Pagano while he was with Miller; and most recently Jeff Jacobs and Tijuana Racing Stables. He has been with trainers Reed McGaughey, Jeff Hiles, Michael Stidham, Mike Puype, Miller and Silva.