The Arizona Equestrian Commission has sentenced trainer Bennie “Chip” Woolley Jr. to a 180-day suspension for possession of illegal needles and syringes, according to a Feb.
Woolley was also fined $2,500 along with a 5% surcharge to the Racehorse Adoption Fund, bringing his total to $2,625.
Woolley appeared in a hearing Tuesday represented by attorneys, according to the ruling. He has been temporarily suspended since February 8 in Arizona pending a hearing.
BLOODHORSE STAFF: Derby-winning coach Woolley is suspended completely
Regulators also referred the case to the director of the Arizona equestrian division, “with the recommendation that further action is required due to the gravity of this breach, which raises questions about the integrity and integrity of horse racing in Arizona.”
Woolley told BloodHorse on Thursday that he will evaluate his legal options. He had no further comment.
Trained primarily in the Southwest, Woolley shot to fame in 2009 when he won the Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands (G1) with Double Eagle Ranch Buena Suerte Equine’s longshot Mine That Bird. Birdstone gel polish ranks second in BlackBerry Preakness Stakes (G1) and third in Belmont Stakes (G1) under Woolley’s care.
Woolley’s is steady at 3 for 30 in 2022, with earnings of $85,376. His most recent initiator is Kelley Brooks’ Caucus Rule, who placed third in the February 4 ATBA Sales Stake at Turf Paradise.
