Horse trained by D'Amato tests positive for methamphetamine

A horse from the stable of leading California trainer Phil D’Amato tested positive for a banned substance following a summer workout at Los Alamitos, according to a ruling posted on the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit website. The news was reported first by Thoroughbred Daily News.

The 4-year-old filly Thebestisyettobe tested positive for methamphetamine following a workout on Aug. 1 at Los Alamitos. HIWU listed the infraction as an “Alleged Violation” of Rule 3212: “Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers.”

Under previous guidelines by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority, D’Amato could have been slapped with a lengthy “provisional suspension.” However, HISA recently stayed pending Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) cases, pending Federal Trade Commission approval of new rules. The D’Amato case is pending.

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Thebestisyettobe, an Irish-bred allowance filly who won one of five starts, worked once more following the Aug. 1 drill. She worked five furlongs Aug. 11 at Los Alamitos, and has no recorded works since.

On a related HISA/HIWU note, California trainer Mike Puype returns Saturday after a provisional suspension levied in July was lifted. Puype was allegedly in possession of banned substances isoxsuprine and levothyroxine. The past four months, Puype’s horses were trained by assistant Francisco Garcia.

Puype has two runners entered Saturday at Del Mar – Lita Way in race 1, and Takes Three in race 9.

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