The horse racing world was abuzz on May 26 when news came out that two horses trained by Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, including one of the Kentucky Derby favourites, Charlatan, have tested positive for a banned substance. Various sources reported on the positive test for Charlatan, co-owned by Toronto’s John Fielding, and the New York Times said the colt, who won the Arkansas Derby, tested positive for lidocaine — a numbing agent that is used for suturing wounds but can also mask lameness in unsound horses.
The use of the Class 2 drug can lead to a suspension of between 15-60 days, a $500-$1,000 fine for the first offence and disqualification and forfeiture of the purse if no mitigating factors are established.
Baffert has requested a split sample to be tested. Should that sample also test positive, then Charlatan could lose the $300,000 purse prize for the Arkansas Derby, plus his Kentucky Derby points.
New York Times story here.
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