Prairie Meadows trainer penalized

Trainer Thad Keller has received a $500 fine and forfeited a second-place purse after his horse Wild Indian tested positive for a muscle relaxant, methocarbamol, at Prairie Meadows. Methocarbamol, commonly used in the treatment of pain and discomfort caused by sprains and strains, is classified by the Association of Racing Commissioners International as a Class 4 substance, one of several therapeutic medications that have limited potential to affect performance.

The Prairie Meadows board of stewards assessed Keller with a penalty that was less than the racing commissioners' recommended guideline of a $500 fine, 15-day suspension, and loss of purse because of mitigating circumstances.

Keller testified that the horse that is stalled next to Wild Indian is prescribed the medication and that the positive test the result the horses' feed tubs being accidently switched. The board of stewards accepted Keller's testimony as a mitigating circumstance and noted "his impeccable training record with regard to past drug and medication violations."