HIWU lifts Diodoro suspension for levothyroxine possession

The Horseracing Integrity and Wagering Unit has lifted its provisional suspension of trainer Robertino Diodoro, a prolific trainer based mostly in the Midwest, according to a ruling posted on the organization’s website and Diodoro.

The suspension of Diodoro was lifted effective Sunday, according to the ruling, allowing Diodoro to return to tracks that are under the jurisdiction of HIWU, the enforcement arm of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority. Diodoro was suspended in late March on a charge of possession of levothyroxine, a banned drug which stimulates thyroid function.

Alexa Ravit, a spokesperson for HIWU, declined to comment on the lifting of the suspension, but she cited a HIWU rule that allows for provisional suspensions to be lifted “based on the circumstances of the case.” She noted that the case is still pending.

Diodoro said late last week that his attorney, Tim Steadman, worked with HIWU to get the suspension lifted.

“I’ve got to give him the credit,” Diodoro said. “I’m very excited to get back running at some of the major tracks, starting with Keeneland in October.”

The Keeneland fall meet begins on Friday.

After his suspension, Diodoro ran horses at tracks in Texas, Louisiana, and West Virginia, all of which are not under the jurisdiction of HIWU due to court rulings or, in the case of Texas, the refusal of the tracks to accept HISA’s oversight. Tracks that do not comply with HISA’s rules and regulations are prohibited from sending their simulcast signals out-of-state.

Since his suspension, Diodoro has won 40 races from 163 starts, according to Equibase records. Prior to his suspension, he had won 42 races this year from 182 starts.

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Diodoro was the second-leading trainer at Oaklawn Park at the time of his suspension.

“I’m thankful to Lone Star and Louisiana Downs management and staff, because without them, it would have been hard to keep the stable going,” Diodoro said. “It’s been tough on everyone. People forget about the help. … I’m very, very thankful for a lot of owners that stuck by me and supported me throughout, and I look forward to getting back and building the stable back.”

Levothyroxine is an FDA approved drug to treat depressed thyroid function. It has been the target of a regulatory crackdown in racing over the past 10 years after regulators discovered that the drug was being routinely administered to horses without a prescription or a diagnosis.

Since HIWU took over drug-testing and enforcement in the summer of 2023, the organization has issued five suspensions for possessions of the drug, including Diodoro’s. The resolved cases have led to suspensions ranging from 15 months to two years.

One of Diodoro’s top horses, Heroic Move, who was second to Hit Show in the Grade 3 West Virginia Governor’s Cup last out at Mountaineer Park, is being pointed to the Grade 2, $350,000 Fayette on Oct. 26 at Keeneland, said Diodoro.

--additional reporting by Mary Rampellini

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