In a statement released on the evening of May 18, Churchill Downs Incorporated responded to news of a positive test result for bute excess occurring at Brad-trained Brad Cox. Warrior’s Reward when he finished second in 2021 Stephen Foster Stakes (G2) at the corporation’s Louisville circuit.
Bute, or phenylbutazone, is a commonly used anti-inflammatory agent approved for treatment. State recall guidelines call for it not to be used within 24 hours of the race.
Churchill Downs managers fined $500 and suspended 10 days of Eclipse Award-winning coach Cox. The manager’s ruling, issued May 15 and posted May 17 on the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission’s website, further disquals Ten Strike Racing and Madaket Stables’ Warrior’s Charge from Stephen Foster last year. 2021. His position in the last resulted in the forfeiture of $115,200 in earnings.
The KHRC-issued sanctions against Cox and the disqualification of Warrior’s Charge come almost 11 months after Stephen Foster last year.
“Churchill Downs became aware of a failed drug test involving Warrior’s Charge in 2021 Stephen Foster Stakes with the release of Kentucky Equestrian Commission Rule 22-0069 issued May 15, 2022,” read statement from CDI. “We take medication and drug offenses very seriously and believe that there is no acceptable excuse for not following regulations in the interest of equine safety and protecting the integrity of horses.” our sport.
“We are in the process of reviewing the facts regarding this matter and will provide further comment and take further action as we prepare to do so.”
KING: Cox Fined, Suspended For Bute Overage in Stephen Foster
The threshold for bute detection in Kentucky is 2 micrograms per milliliter in serum or plasma, according to KHRC’s online documentation. The amount of bute in the Warrior’s Charge’s health was detected as 2.51. Bute is a Class C violation, behind Class B and Class A in terms of concern.
According to the ruling, Cox had to serve a suspended sentence from May 23 to June 1. The May 15 ruling stated that “all horses owned or trained by Cox will be disqualified while in service.” pending handover to those approved by management.”
Cox did not immediately respond to an inquiry into who would act as trainer if entries from his existing barn were made during the days of his suspension.
