Four trainers warned following scopolamine positives

Trainers Jack Carava, Matt Chew, Leonard Powell, and John Sadler were issued warnings by Santa Anita stewards earlier this month after runners in their care showed the presence of scopolamine in post-race tests taken after races from mid-October to mid-February at Del Mar and Santa Anita.

The trainers escaped more stringent penalties after the stewards ruled that “contamination was the cause for these positives and warnings were the appropriate penalty,” according to a summarization that appeared in the weekly minutes that stewards submit to the California Horse Racing Board.

There have been repeated instances in which jimsonweed, which can contain scopolamine, has been found in hay used for stall bedding at California tracks in the last 25 years. Scopolamine is a Class 4 substance. Positives for scopolamine can result in disqualifications and the loss of a purse.

The recent positives were found in Miss Lady Ann, who finished second in the fourth race on Oct. 12 at Santa Anita for Carava; Vegas Strong Baby, who finished second in the first race on Oct. 27 at Santa Anita for Powell; Sapphire Kid, who finished sixth in the seventh race on Nov. 15 at Del Mar for Chew; and Tig Tog, who won the first race on Feb. 17 at Santa Anita.

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In hearings with the stewards, the trainers or their veterinarians testified that they believe the positives were caused by contamination through feed or straw.

In 2018, Triple Crown winner Justify tested positive for scopolamine after a win in the Santa Anita Derby. Six other runners, whose names were not revealed, tested positive for scopolamine at the time. All of the cases were dismissed by the racing board, which ruled that the positives were caused by the presence of jimsonweed present in hay.

– additional reporting by Jay Privman