Avila will not appeal suspension, sells share in Masochistic

ARCADIA, Calif. – On Saturday, trainer A.C. Avila said he will not appeal a 60-day suspension and $10,000 fine for a medication violation from 2014, and he has sold his share of the horse at the center of the incident, the stakes-placed Masochistic.

A 50 percent share of Masochistic has been acquired privately by Samantha Siegel and will be trained by Ron Ellis. On Saturday, Ellis said he has no race plans for Masochistic, who has won 4 of 6 starts and earned $223,850. A 50 percent share in the horse has been retained by Los Pollos Hermanos Racing.

Avila’s suspension begins March 15 and runs until May 13. Avila said he plans to travel in coming months. He considered an appeal but has dropped the plan in recent days.

Masochistic tested in excess of the permitted level of the tranquilizer acepromazine following a fifth-place finish in a maiden race March 15, 2014, at Santa Anita. The horse was ordered drug tested after track stewards ordered an investigation into the manner of jockey Omar Berrio’s ride in the race.

In their weekly written review of racing submitted to the racing board, the stewards wrote that they were “concerned Mr. Berrio prevented his horse from giving his best race.”

The stewards conducted an informal hearing with Berrio the day after the race but have not had a formal hearing or taken action against the rider.

Masochistic has won four of his last five starts, with his only loss a second in the $200,000 Los Alamitos Mile last September. On Feb. 28, Masochistic won an optional claimer at 6 1/2 furlongs by 2 1/4 lengths under a confident ride from jockey Victor Espinoza.

** Trainer Adam Kitchingman was fined $1,500 by Santa Anita stewards Saturday after he brought 2-year-olds to the racetrack earlier than the allowed date, according to a ruling.

Kitchingman falsified horse transport documents and had 2-year-olds at his Santa Anita stable prior to Feb. 15, the earliest day that horses of that age were allowed in the stables, according to steward Kim Sawyer.