Laurel trainer Corrales suspended two years for nikethamide positive
Jose Corrales, a trainer based at Laurel Park since 2011, was issued a two-year suspension and $10,000 fine by the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit on Friday for the use of a banned substance in February.
The case concerned the 3-year-old filly Curlene’s Spirit, who tested positive for nikethamide following a 6 3/4-length victory in a $25,000 claiming race at Laurel on Feb. 20. The respiratory stimulant is a Class 1 drug no longer approved for veterinary clinical use.
Nikethamide has been widely understood to be a dangerous drug for several decades and is not legally produced in the United States. Its adverse effects can include severe muscle spasms and respiratory suppression, both of which can result in death.
Corrales was found to have violated Rule 3212 of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority’s Anti-Doping and Medication Control, which finds him “liable for any Banned Substance or its Metabolites or Markers found to be present in a Sample collected from his or her Covered Horse(s).”
The trainer said he learned of the ruling on Friday evening and described a frantic sequence of events in which he contacted Laurel stewards, who offered little information, while trying to ensure his stable of more than 30 horses was under control. All three of his horses entered at Laurel over the weekend have been scratched.
“I’ve been in this business for 52 years, and to lose everything in one day is horrible,” Corrales said.
Corrales denied administering nikethamide to Curlene’s Spirit and said he will appeal on Monday. He or his legal representation intend to release a more comprehensive statement next week. The trainer alluded to the idea of a tampering attempt, claiming someone could have entered his stable and injected the filly, though he could not provide evidence.
In late August, HIWU posted another violation concerning Curlene’s Spirit on Feb. 20, reporting that the filly also tested positive for caffeine, a controlled substance. This case was still listed as pending when the ruling concerning nikethamide was resolved.
Curlene’s Spirit has run three times since the race in February and was claimed by trainer Jeffrey Poole at Delaware Park in July.
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