Horse racing was abuzz late Thursday when news came out that eight horses of trainer Joe Sharp at Fair Grounds tested positive for Levamisol, commercially available in sheep wormer. It is classified as a Class 2 medication but there is also the possibility that the drug can metabolize into aminorex, a Class 1 stimulant.
Seven of the eight horses won their races (one was disqualified due to interference).
SYCAMORE RUN, an Ontario-bred by Street Sense who had a sensational debut win at Fair Grounds Dec. 21 for owners Scott and Evan Dilworth, was among the horses placed last. All the horses raced in December. The colt has since come back to finish 12th in the Grade 3 Lecomte Stakes but now can return to a maiden race. Sycamore Run was bred by Anderson Farms.
Owners jockeys, etc. lose the purse money on all these horses placed last.
Sharp, who has had medication suspensions before, told Daily Racing Form his stable began using the wormer late last year. “We stopped immediately when we found out, talked to our vets and found out what it was,” Sharp said. “Any of them that had it, it built up on their system. On Dec. 12, we got it out of the barn.”
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