Owner-trainer Dennis Ward suspended

Owner-trainer Dennis Ward was suspended 60 days, 30 days stayed, in a stipulated agreement with the California Horse Racing Board after one of his horses, Denaesalildevil, tested positive for phentermine.

Phentermine, a Class 2 violation, is a mild amphetamine used as an appetite suppressant in humans. The drug affects the central nervous system and has no legitimate veterinary medical use. At the time of the infraction Ward was serving as the assistant to his son, Wesley, the trainer of record.

Denaesalildevil won the 11th race at Pleasanton on July 1, 2006. Because of the positive she was disqualified and the purse redistributed.

Dennis Ward is serving his 30-day suspension from April 18 to May 17 and is on probation for one year. If he avoids any further Class 1, 2, or 3 violations, he will not have to serve the 30 days that were stayed.

Trainer Genaro Vallejo will train Ward's horses for the next month.

Wesley Ward was placed on one-year probation with a 60-day suspension that was stayed on condition he has no Class 1, 2, or 3 violations during probation. In addition, he was fined $25,000.

The CHRB also filed a complaint but has not set a hearing date for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer regarding a positive for scopolamine, a Class 3 violation, on Dixie Crisp, who won the eighth race at Bay Meadows on Feb. 19. Scopolamine, which can be found in Jimson weed, is an anti-spasmodic.

The CHRB also filed a complaint but has not set a hearing for Southern California trainer Jorge Alcala, whose Rapid Silver, first in the eighth race at Santa Anita on March 22, exceeded the limit for total carbon dioxide limit.