Midlantic coach Phil Schoenthal had his interim suspension for two positive methamphetamine cases reduced to 15 days and his cases were adjourned after the suspension was enforced until regulations related to human substance abuse under consideration and likely to be approved by the Federal Trade Commission.
Schoenthal was provisionally suspended by the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit on April 9 after a 3-year-old winning bet named Deterministic driver and a 6-year-old winning bet by name Prodigy doll tested positive for the illegal stimulant commonly known as meth. Since the coach has already served 8 days, his temporary suspension will end on April 22.
The trainer had his suspension reduced because he was able to produce positive meth tests from both the groom and the exercise rider who handled these horses and he was able to show Extraordinary steps taken to educate its employees about the risks of drug use in the barn—illegal and regulated—with policies and penalties in place for monitoring and violations .
Schoenthal said coach Jonathan Wong’s two-year suspension and $25,000 fine in February for testing positive for metformin opened his eyes.
“I don’t know Jonathan and I know nothing about his case, but I read the arbitrator’s verdict and realized what he put forward in his defense. I would have done the same. I said employees don’t urinate in the stall, but in Jonathan’s case, they threw it away because he couldn’t prove he did it,” Schoenthal said to protect myself if that happens to me.
“I also realized that we were working with an organization that expected us to do things the way the real world does, and racetracks haven’t worked like the real world in hundreds of years,” he continued. ”. “We have to have a personnel policy, we have to have a drug policy, we have to have a drug enforcement policy and perhaps we need to conduct random drug testing. We have to do those things.” This is to show that we are serious about our profession.”
Schoenthal solved the problem by drafting new policies that he presented to his staff in English and Spanish one afternoon over pizza. He told his workers that prescription medications should be taken at home and that if that was not possible, they should wash their hands thoroughly after taking any medication. All family members and friends are also prohibited from coming into contact with horses in the barn. Each employee then signed a statement that the new regulations had been reviewed and understood. Trainers monitor signs in the barn warning employees not to urinate in the barn, install video cameras to monitor activity, then conduct surprise drug tests.
“I think that’s what saved my bacon,” he said. “I don’t think I would have achieved this result, which I’m happy with, if I hadn’t done all of this.”
Schoenthal’s case is among eight cases related to testing positive for meth has been placed on hold pending FTC action on the proposed rule changes.
The proposed regulations would limit the period of ineligibility related to human substance abuse to up to 60 days if HIWU determines that HIWU has a reasonable basis to conclude that, based on the facts, prevailing circumstances and circumstances, this finding could be the result of inadvertent transfer of persons. According to Alexa Ravit, director of communications and outreach for HIWU, the 60-day sanction can be reduced if proof of the source is provided.
“As a result of the proposed changes, HIWU has decided to continue pending Human Substance Abuse and Drug Control and Anti-Doping Program cases where the period of ineligibility may be affected.” by these rule updates. We will handle these cases once the FTC acts on the proposed rules, all such cases, including Schoenthal’s, remain unresolved. decided,” she said.
“HIWU chose to reduce Schoenthal’s temporary suspension based on the information we received from him, including evidence of the source and steps he took to prevent the inadvertent transfer of substances abuse for humans such as methamphetamine.”
Under the proposed rule changes, a violation also carries a fine of no more than $5,000 or 5% of the total purse, plus disqualification from race results. If the rules are approved, trainers with a history of human substance abuse would have the option of requesting a hearing and going through the full trial process or signing an admission and accept the consequences.
Schoenthal said he is well aware that HIWU has a responsibility to enforce existing rules, but he also said he believes the Horseracing Safety and Integrity Authority and HIWU enforcement are open and willing to consider the This code comes together with the equestrians and makes practical changes, based on the lessons learned over the past year and a half.
“I feel like they understand what’s going on and people are being caught up in the wave of change,” he said. “What HISA and HIWU are being asked to do is a herculean task that could never have been accomplished in the first place, even if they had three years to plan for it. There will be growing pains.” increase. My experience is that I feel like HISA and HIWU are actively trying to resolve the issue and be fair, I feel like they are trying to treat me fairly and not just hang me.
