Martin turns 80, gets 10 days

Hall of Fame trainer Frank Martin was to have begun serving a 10-day suspension on Sunday after one of his horses tested positive for the banned substance Acepromazine, a tranquilizer. Martin, who celebrated his 80th birthday on Saturday, was also fined $1,000.

Martin was initially suspended 30 days, but the penalty was reduced because Martin waived his right of appeal.

Martin was penalized after He's a Mystery, who finished second in the fifth race at Aqueduct on Dec. 19, 2004, was found to have Acepromazine in his system. The reduction in the penalty was reflective of reasonable questions raised by the investigation into the incident, according to a release from New York State Racing and Wagering board steward Carmine Donofrio.

During the suspension, Martin's horses will run in the name of assistant trainer Enrique Arroyo.