Second positive lands Stall a 10-day suspension

Trainer Al Stall Jr. said Monday from New Orleans that he intends to appeal a 10-day suspension he has been handed by Kentucky stewards for a second positive test for the banned medication methacarbomol.

The subject horse is Upon Reflection, winner of a $15,000 maiden claiming race at Churchill Downs on Nov. 7. Stall said the stewards informed that the quantitative test showed 1.5 nanograms per milliliter of the banned medication. It was the trainer’s second positive test from the Churchill meet, with Sign having been disqualified from her victory in the Grade 2 Pocahontas Stakes on Oct. 28. Stall was fined and given a warning for that offense, which he said was for 2.1 nanograms per milliliter of a Class C drug found in a commonly used muscle relaxant known as Robaxin.

Upon Reflection, owned at the time by Klaravich Stables and William Lawrence, was claimed for $8,000 from his next race Nov. 18 at Churchill. The horse has been disqualified from the $8,400 winner’s share. Stall also has been fined $500.

Stall, who oversees one of the top stables in the Midwest, currently is among the leading trainers at the current Fair Grounds meet. He is best known as the trainer of Blame, winner of the 2010 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Churchill.

The suspension is scheduled to run March 28 through April 6. Stall is being represented by attorney David Royse in both cases. No hearing for the appeal of either case has yet been scheduled before the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission.