Gustavo Rodriguez suspended seven days for bute overage

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Trainer Gustavo Rodriguez on Sunday will begin serving a seven-day suspension handed him by the New York Gaming Commission after one of his horses tested for on overage of the therapeutic medication Phenylbutazone (bute) in a race at Aqueduct.

Rodriguez, who waived his right of appeal and who was also fined $1,000, will be eligible to return on Nov. 27.

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Rodriguez sent out the horse Ok Honey to a second-place finish in a $20,000 claiming race at Aqueduct on Oct. 14. Ok Honey was claimed out of that race by Jose Camejo.

Ok Honey was disqualified and ordered unplaced in the order of finish and her previous connections had to forfeit the $10,400 second-place purse.

Rodriguez, a former assistant to his brother Rudy Rodriguez, went out on his own in 2021. This year, he has won 17 races from 138 starters.

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