After further research into findings of the cocaine metabolite benzoylecgonine (BZE) in blood, the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit has withdrawn its cases against trainers Keri Brion and R. McLane Hendriks over recent findings of the banned substance.
The enforcement arm of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority, HIWU announced its decision in a Nov. 17 release. “In the interest of fairness to horsemen and program consistency, HIWU has elected to withdraw Brion’s and Hendriks’ cases,” the release concluded.
HIWU noted that it reached the decision after conducting further research on BZE in urine and blood testing. The organization said it had developed a new blood testing specification to determine adverse analytical findings and that the levels found in the horses in question trained by Brion and Hendriks did not exceed the new specification. HIWU said it will not pursue either case as an adverse analytical finding.
HIWU said that in accordance with its commitment to fairly and effectively implement HISA’s Anti-Doping and Medication Control program, it’s in continuous communication with its contracted laboratories to promote harmonized and consistent testing. HIWU said that historically, the presence of cocaine, a banned substance under the ADMC program, has been regulated in blood and urine through its metabolite, benzoylecgonine. This is because cocaine quickly metabolizes in the body, making it difficult to detect through testing. The control of BZE in urine has been harmonized across testing laboratories for years.
Recently, covered horses trained by Brion and Hendriks had tested positive for BZE in blood, HIWU said. While controls in urine for BZE have long been established, no corresponding testing specifications existed for blood. Without those specifications in place, HIWU in October lifted each trainer’s provisional (immediate) suspension. HIWU then began a review of scientific literature to determine appropriate testing specifications for blood such that it would correspond to existing controls in urine. HIWU said the goal of this investigation was to ensure that cocaine is regulated consistently regardless of the testing matrix.
In examining the existing scientific literature, HIWU said it failed to identify a testing specification for BZE in blood. However, in consultation with multiple scientific advisers, including laboratory directors, HIWU reviewed laboratory testing data in which BZE was detected in blood and urine samples collected in the same session and was able to determine a testing specification for blood based on this previously unavailable information.
The cocaine positive finding for Hendriks was Aug. 16 with the horse Princess Javoncia at Penn National Race Course. Brion-trained Chasing After You had allegedly tested positive for the drug after winning a Sept. 19 claiming race at Presque Isle Downs. When HIWU lifted the trainers’ provisional suspensions last month, it did so under its Rule 3247 (e), “If it considers it appropriate to do so on the specific facts of the case, the agency may lift the provisional suspension.”
Last month Brion told BloodHorse that she does not always have full control of the environment that her horses find themselves.
“My big thing is, I shipped out to Presque Isle Downs, with my own help into the receiving barn. We train at Fair Hill and ship to every track we run at. We’re not stabled at the track we run at. Holding trainers 100% responsible with zero tolerance for any medication or drug finding is very difficult because we don’t have control over the cleanliness of the receiving barns,” Brion said. “Most times, the receiving barn is not sanitary. It’s been a tough week. I had to spend a lot of money to retain a lawyer, which rocks your whole world. I hope these cases can be helpful moving forward, so this type of thing doesn’t have to keep happening to people that are good for the game.”
