Masochistic will make first start for Ellis in Kona Gold

Masochistic, a four-time winner who was recently transferred from trainer A.C. Avila to Ron Ellis, will make his 2015 stakes debut in the $200,000 Kona Gold Stakes at 6 1/2 furlongs on April 11, Ellis said.

Masochistic joined Ellis’s stable after Avila was suspended 60 days and fined $10,000 by the racing board last month for a medication violation involving Masochistic in 2014. Masochistic tested in excess of the permitted level of the tranquilizer acepromazine when fifth in his debut in March 2014.

Avila decided not to appeal the penalty and sold his family’s 50 percent share of Masochistic to Samantha Siegel. A 50 percent share in the horse has been retained by Los Pollos Hermanos Racing.

Ellis said the Kona Gold Stakes could lead to appearances in longer races for Masochistic.

“I’m hoping he can stretch out and be a Goldencents type,” Ellis said, referring to the winner of the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile in 2013 and 2014. “He’s a cool horse with a lot of ability.”

Masochistic was second in the $200,000 Los Alamitos Mile last September and won an optional claimer at 6 1/2 furlongs Feb. 28 with minimal urging.