Trainer Nevada Litfin has been suspended for five years and fined $2,500 by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority for engaging in "paper training" while serving an earlier suspension issued by the Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit.
In documents posted July 3 to the HISA website, Litfin admitted that during the period of his HIWU-imposed ineligibility, "he continued to engage in the care and training of Covered Horses including but not limited to communications with owners, continued training activities, recurring financial transactions, and personal racing activities."
His earlier period of ineligibility ran from Aug. 23-Jan. 21 for medication violations.
The HISA order signed by HISA board of directors chair Charles Scheeler stated that the parties agreed to resolve this matter. Litfin waived any hearing on the matter and his right to present testimony, evidence, and argument.
Two other individuals, groom Heather Davis and trainer Briannah McDaniel, also received suspensions for assisting the suspended Litfin. Davis was suspended for three years, while McDaniel received 45 days after "substantial assistance to the Authority during these proceedings."
Per the order, McDaniel admitted that during the period of Liftin's Ineligibility, the suspended trainer "requested, and she agreed, to serve as his 'paper trainer.'"
McDaniel's suspension is from June 28-Aug.12. She most recently ran horses at Canterbury Park, where Litfin had been a regular presence.
While under suspension, Litfin ran some horses in Louisiana this past fall and winter. Due to court rulings, Louisiana and West Virginia are currently exempt from HISA regulations and enforcement.
