Antonucci granted stay of 15-day suspension

Trainer Jena Antonucci has been granted a stay of a 15-day suspension she recently received for a positive test for a controlled medication, according to racing officials.

Antonucci, who won the Belmont Stakes and Travers Stakes in 2023 with Arcangelo, was notified of the stay on Friday, on the same day that racetracks were sent notices to allow her to enter and breeze horses, according to the officials.

Antonucci was issued the suspension by the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit on March 30, and the suspension was set to go into effect on April 2. She immediately appealed the decision to the Federal Trade Commission, which oversees the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority. HIWU enforces HISA’s policies.

The suspension was based on the finding of liodocaine in Bee A Queen after that horse won a maiden race at Gulfstream Park in Florida on June 14. Antonucci argued during a hearing on March 17 that the drug, a pain reliever, was accidentally transferred to the horse from a worker in her stable who had received applications of a lidocaine product on his legs on June 13 and June 14.

Antonucci ran Moonstrocity in the April 3 Blue Grass Stakes. The horse finished last of seven in a race won in a runaway by Further Ado.

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