Florida-based trainer Hernan Parra has been suspended 15 days and fined $2,500 for two positive test results for dexamethasone in two horses he raced at Gulfstream Park.
Parra agreed that he violated the Anti-Doping and Medication Control rules enforced by the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit and accepted the penalties. His suspension began Feb. 20 and continues through March 6.
Both violations occurred with horses raced by owner Guillermo Rangel. The first violation occurred with the now-4-year-old colt Nadir Han, who was making his third career start in a maiden optional claiming race Dec. 13 at Gulfstream. The second violation occurred Jan. 3 with a 4-year-old colt named Justy Han, who was making his racing debut at Gulfstream. Because the second violation occurred before Parra had been notified of the first equine controlled medication violation, and involved the same medication, the two cases are being treated as one violation.
Dexamethasone is a corticosteroid commonly given as an anti-inflammatory for respiratory disease or for inflammation in joints.
Parra has had three violations involving a class C controlled medication within a two-year period. The trainer was suspended seven days and fined $1,000 last August for a violation involving a phenylbutazone positive test in a horse named Mischievous Han, also owned by Rangel.
In addition to his suspension and fine, the earnings for both horses are forfeited and Parra received 1.5 penalty points.
