East Coast trainer Michael Matz completed a seven-day suspension April 14 for an acepromazine positive found in a post-race blood sample from Carentan, a 4-year-old gelded son of Omaha Beach, after he won a claiming race Jan. 19 at Gulfstream Park.
Matz accepted the post-race results and the consequences of the Anti-Doping and Medication Control violation, according to documentation from the Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit. In addition to the suspension, Matz was fined $1,000 and received two penalty points. The $15,000 winner's share of the Jan. 19 purse also has been forfeited and the horse disqualified.
At the time of the violation, Carentan was owned by Runnymoore Racing. The gelding won again Feb. 7 at Gulfstream Park when he got claimed for $17,500 by trainer Rohan Crichton for Bless-ED Stables.
Acepromazine is a Class B controlled medication sedative that is used to calm horses during examinations, some medical procedures, or during transportation. The drug is not prohibited during an official timed workout, but is prohibited to be in a horse on race day. HIWU records show nine acepromazine violations that have resulted in suspensions and fines since May of last year. Nine additional acepromazine cases that occurred after the date of Matz's violation have been stayed and are pending Federal Trade Commission approval of new rules.
