Trainer Todd Pletcher has chosen to accept a seven-day suspension and $1,000 fine from the Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit for a betamethasone positive test result for the colt Vassimo , following his debut win Dec. 14 at Gulfstream Park.
“Todd did an extensive internal review after being notified of the positive and found that he and his staff followed the HISA protocols to a ‘T,'” said attorney Drew Mollica, who represents Pletcher, referring to the Horseracing Integrity and Safey Authority, for which HIWU implements its medication testing program and enforcement.
“The test did come back showing trace levels of betamethasone, and we are not going to litigate,” Mollica continued. “There is a lot that can be argued but Todd made the prudent choice to take the penalty and move one.”
Betametasone is a controlled long-acting corticosteroid commonly used to treat pain and inflammation in joints and muscles.
Vassimo is a now 3-year-old son of Nyquist owned by Team Penney Racing. The colt won his first start this year by 2 3/4 lengths in a Jan. 17 allowance/optional claiming race at Tampa Bay Downs and went on to finish fourth in the Risen Star Stakes (G2) at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.
Pletcher’s seven-day suspension begins March 4. The penalty also includes forfeiture of the Dec. 14 purse and disqualification. He also will receive 1.5 penalty points. Trainers who accumulate six or more penalty points during a two-year period are subject to additional penalties.
