Report: N.Y. gaming regulators uphold Pletcher suspension

The New York State Gaming Commission voted Monday to uphold a 14-day suspension levied upon trainer Todd Pletcher for a phenylbutazone overage in 2022.

The gaming commission sustained the recommended suspension by a vote of 6-0, according to a report by Matt Hegarty of Daily Racing Form. That ruling requires New York stewards to issue dates for the suspension.

The proceedings pertain to a June 11, 2023 ruling involving the horse Capensis, who tested positive for phenylbutazone after finishing sixth in an allowance race at Saratoga on July 30, 2022. The 14-day suspension and $2,000 fine were stayed pending appeal.

Pletcher could continue his appeal by initiating an Article 78 proceeding, which would put the decision before a New York state court for review. Hegarty reported that Karen Murphy, Pletcher’s attorney in the Capensis matter, said Pletcher would appeal and also seek an administrative stay. This is the same provision under which Pletcher appealed a 10-day suspension for a positive meloxicam finding for Forte in the 2022 Hopeful (G1), and that suspension is still stayed pending state-court review.

Both the Capensis case and the Forte case remain under the jurisdiction of New York State since they happened before the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority’s anti-doping and medication control program took effect.