Clement begins seven-day suspension for acepromazine positive

Long-time New York-based trainer, Christophe Clement, has begun serving a seven-day suspension after one of his horses tested positive for acepromazine, a sedative that is a controlled substance, after a race at Gulfstream Park in Florida in March.

Clement began serving the suspension on Thursday. It is the first suspension of his career, which began in 1991.

The filly who tested positive, Mizoula, finished second in an $89,000 maiden special weight at Gulfstream on March 3 as the 4.90-1 third choice. Mizoula was disqualified.

Acepromazine, which is commonly used to calm a horse when shipping or when administering other medications or treatments, is a controlled medication with a Class B categorization. Under rules enforced by the Horseracing Integrity and Wagering Unit, positives for a Class B drug have a recommended penalty of a 15-day suspension, but the suspension can be reduced to seven days if the trainer admits to the violation and accepts the responsibility.

Clement is one of the most successful trainers on the New York circuit. He has won 2,465 races from 12,623 starts during his 33-year career.

Clement did not immediately return a phone call. He told the Paulick Report that the positive was likely the result of a mix-up at the barn or accidental contamination.

“To fight it is too complicated and expensive,” Clement said. “I’m better to take the one week.”

Last year, Clement had a horse test positive for Dantrolene, a muscle relaxant that is a Class C medication under HIWU’s rules. Clement was fined $500. According to records, the only other positive during Clement’s career has been a 2010 finding of the gastric-ulcer medication omeprazole in 2010.

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