...and no hearing until NOW?

https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/268535/report-forte-failed-drug-test-after-2022-hopeful

It sounds like an east coast version of a Beta Bob strategy to game the system with lawyers.  Make Pletcher give back his Trainer of The Year award and make Repole give back Forte's 2 Year Old award.  

For starters.

Then redistribute the purses from the Hopeful.

I'm very tired of the BS.  Thank goodness there are clean, fair jurisdictions in the world for a horse racing junkie like me.

This is nothing short of remarkable.

How can delays of 9 months be rationalized?  Trainers' lawyers?!?  Makes zero sense.

Granted, the test showed anti-inflams, apparently, legal substances after races, but prior?  And why would a horse need an anti-inflammatory drug prior to a race at age 2? Yes, I find them helpful to self-administer myself on the day of playing golf, but never when I was younger.  It sounds pretty crazy to use such NSAIDS as preventative for such young athletes.

I'll be interested in what Todd says, and how he makes excuses.....doubt it will be much different from Baffert.  You would think all of them would be extra careful, especially with the 2 and 3 yr. olds with such promise, knowing that there is extra scrutiny.

Transparency at its brilliant best

The New York State Gaming Commission suspended Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher and disqualified Forte from his win in the Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes last fall because of a positive drug test.

BloodHorse reported that Pletcher was suspended for 10 days and fined $1,000.

After the Sept. 5 Hopeful, Forte tested positive for meloxicam, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication, according to the report. That victory at Saratoga was the first in a five-race win streak that included the Breeders' Cup Juvenile and 2-year-old male championship for Forte.

The action by the gaming commission had not been posted on its website as of mid-afternoon Thursday. Pletcher and his attorney, Karen Murphy, could not be reached for comment.

Forte's connections plan to appeal, according to the Bloodhorse report. The son of Violence is owned by Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable.

The New York Times reported Tuesday that Forte had failed the test and that Pletcher's connections repeatedly had sought procedural delays. A hearing was held Wednesday, resulting in the suspension, fine and disqualification.

Todd's suspended for 10 days, $1000 fine.

Rick Dutrow's available to take over Pletcher's barn for the next 10 days!

10 days and $1000 fine is a disgrace.This sums up everything that is wrong with US racing.Pletcher should be shot with a ball of his own excrement.

That "penalty" is a f-ing joke.  No wonder there are repeat offenders, when these "slaps on the wrist" have become the cost of doing business....

It is the exact same crap that Baffert did.Just like him,they are complaining about zero tolerance.Anybody who bet on Gulfport in the Hopeful got screwed but there is no mention of that.

Special rules for the big shots.  I dislike that intensely.