Augustin Stables' homebred Mouffy has been disqualified from her victory in the listed $145,500 Perfect Sting Stakes July 4 at Aqueduct Racetrack after testing positive for the corticosteroid dexamethasone, according to the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit.
Dexamethasone primarily is used to treat horses with musculoskeletal inflammation. It also can be used to treat allergies or immune-mediated diseases. It is a controlled medication under HIWU enforcement and is not advised for use within 72 hours of a race.
The case resolution was posted on HIWU's website Dec. 19. Trainer Jonathan Thomas was fined $500, and the winner's $82,500 share of the purse will be redistributed.
The new victor of the Perfect Sting will be Mrs. John Magnier and Roisin Henry's Midnight Mile, trained by Chad Brown. The 4-year-old filly by No Nay Never already was a group 3 winner in England.
Richard Schermerhorn's Lady Beth moves up to second, and Chris Larsen's New York-bred multiple stakes winner Moonage Daydream moves to third, gaining a stakes placing.
Mouffy, a 5-year-old Uncle Mo mare, has run four times since the Perfect Sting, including an Oct. 5 win in the Dance Smartly Stakes (G2T) at Woodbine. She is scheduled to race next in the Dec. 27 Robert J. Frankel Stakes (G3T) at Santa Anita Park.
Thomas was quoted in Daily Racing Form saying he accepted the ruling and that there had been a labeling mix-up by his veterinarian involving electrolytes and dexamethasone.
