Bourgeois, Wilson get approval to remain training

Trainers Keith Bourgeois and Melton Wilson have both received injunctions that will enable them to continue to train horses in the face of six-month suspensions handed down earlier this month by the Louisiana Racing Commission. The two were cited for positives for fluphenazine, a tranquilizer that can affect a horse for up to 30 days, and appealed to an Opelousas, La., district court in a case that was heard on Thursday.

"We were successful in obtaining a preliminary injunction so Keith and Melton will be able to train horses over the course of the next couple of months," said Sean Alfortish, an attorney and president of the Louisiana Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association who is representing both Bourgeois and Wilson.

Alfortish said the next court date is scheduled for Jan. 30, when oral arguments will be heard. He said at that time, the judge could issue a ruling. Bourgeois and Wilson were also fined $1,500 by the commission, and had the purses of their races redistributed.

Bourgeois, one of the nation's leading trainers in wins, was cited for the positive by Evangeline Downs stewards in a June 28 ruling. The commission upheld the ruling in a 5-2 vote at a meeting Dec. 1. Diamondmint Deputy, the horse in question, won a $5,000 conditioned claiming race at Evangeline on May 2.

Fluphenazine is a Class 2 medication violation.