Biancone hit for $10K fine in California

Trainer Patrick Biancone on Wednesday was fined $10,000 and given a suspended sentence of 15 days by Del Mar's stewards for a medication violation that took place at Santa Anita in January.

Biancone was cited for the horse Iron Butterfly, who finished second in the second race on Jan. 7 and subsequently tested positive for the medication salmeterol, a bronchodilator that is considered a Class 3 medication, which have less potential to affect performance than Class 1 or Class 2 medications.

The 15-day suspension was stayed by Del Mar's stewards as long as Biancone does not have any Class 1, 2, or 3 medication violations for one year from the date of the ruling.

Biancone on Wednesday began a 15-day suspension for a drug positive, also for a bronchodilator, incurred in Kentucky.

In addition, Biancone has been under investigation in Kentucky since June, when investigators searched his barns at Keeneland Racecourse, along with the truck of his veterinarian, Dr. Rod Stewart. According to a source close to the investigation who spoke on the condition of anonymity, investigators discovered a vial of the crystalline form of cobra venom - a prohibited substance - during the searches.