Pender fined $5,000

DEL MAR, Calif. – Trainer Mike Pender was fined $5,000 on Thursday after reaching a settlement agreement with the California Horse Racing Board regarding an infraction for benefiting financially while under suspension in 2014, according to a ruling issued by Del Mar stewards.

Pender was suspended 21 days and fined $5,000 last year for having five horses test positive for Class 4 medications in a 12-month period ending June 15, 2014. During the suspension, Pender issued “billing for training services,” according to steward Scott Chaney.

While under suspension, trainers are not allowed to be present at their stables or at the racetrack and are forbidden to contact stable staff or clients.

Pender, 49, must pay the fine by Aug. 29, according to the ruling. He is best known as the trainer of the multiple stakes winners Jeranimo and Ultimate Eagle.