Rodriguez serving suspension

ELMONT, N.Y. – Trainer Rudy Rodriguez began serving a 15-day suspension on Wednesday for a medication violation that occurred nearly a year ago in New Jersey.

According to a ruling on the New Jersey Racing Commission website, the Rodriguez-trained Coach Germ, who finished eighth in the 12th race last June 20 at Monmouth Park, exceeded the permitted plasma threshold of the medication phenylbutazone. Coach Germ had 4.5 micrograms per milliliter, and the permissible level is 2.0 micrograms per milliliter.

Rodriguez was also fined $500.

In 2016, Rodriguez ranks 10th in the nation in purse money with $2.86 million, and his 60 wins through Sunday had him tied for 11th with Chad Brown and Tim Keefer.

During his absence, Rodriguez’s horses in New York will run under his brother Gustavo’s name.