Belmont Park: Trainer Chatterpaul suspended 60 days and fined for two positive tests

ELMONT, N.Y. - Trainer Naipaul Chatterpaul was suspended 60 days and fined $5,000 by the New York stewards and could face further sanctions after two of his horses tested positive for banned substances in a span of 16 days in February.

Chatterpaul has appealed the penalties and will be permitted to train until that appeal is heard.

Since the two penalties occurred within a six-month period, the case was referred to the New York State Racing and Wagering Board for possible additional action, which the board may deem appropriate.

On Feb. 1, Missile Motor tested positive for Clenbuterol, a bronchodilator, after finishing fourth in the fifth race at Aqueduct.

On Feb. 16, Those Lion Eyes tested positive for Flunixin, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, after finishing fourth in the eighth race at Aqueduct.

Both horses were disqualified from their finishes and ordered unplaced in the order of finish.

Chatterpaul, 44, is a native of Guyana who has been training horses since 2008. His biggest win came with Mission Approved, a horse who won the Grade 1 Manhattan in 2011, a year after he claimed the horse for $35,000.

Chatterpaul is expected to start to Game Ball, a recent claim, in next Saturday’s Grade 1, $600,000 Man o’ War Stakes at Belmont.