Biancone near return to training

Patrick Biancone could resume training in Southern California within a week, pending the completion of workers' compensation documentation with the California Horse Racing Board, according to his attorney and a racing board spokesman.

Biancone's attorney, Donald Calabria, said he contacted racing board officials Friday about Biancone's status and was told the trainer must show proof of workers' compensation insurance before being allowed to resume training.

Biancone completed a one-year suspension on Oct. 31 that was issued by Kentucky authorities after cobra venom, a banned painkiller, was found in his tack room at Keeneland in June 2007.

During the suspension, Biancone's California trainer's license was suspended after his workers' compensation policy expired, according to racing board spokesman Mike Marten. Through the suspension, Biancone has held a valid owner's license.

"He has to come in and show that he has a valid workers' comp policy and he'll be ready to train," Marten said. "That's the only thing on the record that would prevent him from resuming training. There is nothing on any record that we have that would warrant any other action."

Calabria said Biancone is in Kentucky and is expected to travel to California at the beginning of this week.

Biancone has told Santa Anita officials in recent days that he intends to apply for stall space for the track's winter-spring meeting that begins Dec. 26.

"He's kind of starting over," Calabria said. "He's going to start building up his stable."