Brown penalized for positives

Trainer Bruce Brown was to begin serving a 30-day suspension on Saturday after two of his horses tested positive for the banned substance hydroxyzine. The suspension was reduced from 45 days for Brown waiving his right of appeal. Brown was also fined $1,000.

Hydroxyzine was found in the postrace samples of Smooth Kahlua, who finished second in the ninth race at Aqueduct on March 5, and African Diamond, who won the third race at Aqueduct on March 14. Both horses were disqualified and unplaced in the order of finish.

Hydroxyzine is an antihistamine. Brown said he used it to treat two horses who had hives. Brown said he gave it to the horses in powder form and that apparently he gave it to the horses "one day too close."

"It was a mistake," said Brown. "As soon as they told me I knew what it was. I just want to get it over with before Saratoga."

In his absence, Brown's horses will be trained by Dominic Giglio.

Brown won with his last starter, taking Friday's sixth race with Never Content, who returned $42.80.