Report: Pletcher is granted a stay of his 14-day suspension

The New York Supreme Court in Schenectady granted trainer Todd Pletcher a stay of his 14-day suspension related to an alleged medication violation, Thoroughbred Daily News reported.

Last month, the New York State Gaming Commission voted to uphold a recommended 14-day suspension related to a finding of phenylbutazone in a horse named Capensis, who finished sixth in a race at Saratoga in July 2022.

The court issued a temporary restraining order that prohibits the gaming commission from invoking the penalty, according to the TDN report.

Pletcher attorney Andrew Mollica argued that no laboratory evidence was presented that showed the horse tested positive, according to the report.

“The court found that Mr. Pletcher met all the requirements for likelihood to succeed on the merits, irreparable harm and the balancing of the equities,” Mollica told TDN.

He also said a full review of the evidence presented will show that the gaming commission cannot prove that the horse had an overage on that day.

The next step in the proceedings will be May 31, according to the report.