Via Dan Ross
Coach John Sadler was fined $5,000 by Del Mar managers and entered into a settlement and joint release agreement with the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB), for “knowingly” giving a The horse entered a siege CHRB “had been administering bisphosphonates within the previous six months,” according to a ruling Friday.
The horse in question – as first reported by BloodHorse – is the GISW Flagstaff sprinter (Sightstown), who is recently retired at the age of seven.
Flagstaff tested positive for the bisphosphonate “clodronate” after finishing second in the 2020 GII Santa Anita Sprint Championship. Santa Anita managers subsequently disqualified him, demanding a return of $40,000 in wallet funds, according to the ruling of June 19 this year.
Bisphosphonates approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in horses 4 years of age and older for conditions such as osteoarthritis and pelvic disease.
But many in the industry have raised concerns about the off-label use of these drugs, especially in young horses being prepared for sale. That’s because, instead of making bones strong as intended, misuse of these drugs can make them weaker, more prone to fractures.
However, these drugs are notoriously difficult to regulate. Part of the conundrum is that so little is currently known about how long they have existed in the equine system. Bisphosphonates have the ability to remain in bones for many years.
There is also currently too little information available on how exactly they worked during that time period.
Since July 1 of last year, the CHRB has in effect a rule prohibiting the use of bisphosphonates by any horse in any CHRB regulated establishment. It also forbids any horse from entering the grounds that have been drugged for six months.
Sadler’s attorney, Darrell Vienna, stressed that the ruling does not constitute a fine for a drug-positive case. “If you look at the wording of the actual rule,” he said, “this is not a drug violation.”
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