Trainer David Pate has been suspended 180 days by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission after one of his horses, Point Destin, tested positive for a Class A medication, desmethyltramadol, following a third-place effort in a Sept. 9 race at Turfway Park in Florence, Ky. The suspension is effective Dec. 1. Desmethyltramadol is the main active metabolite in a pain-killing drug used by humans known by the trade name Tramadol. Kentucky’s chief steward, John Veitch, said Pate explained at his formal hearing that he was using Tramadol for his own medicinal use and that the substance must have inexplicably contaminated something that came in contact with the horse. Nonetheless, the trainer’s responsibility rule takes precedence, said Veitch. Point Destin finished third at 45-1 in the race in question. The $9,000 purse has been redistributed accordingly. Pate, a trainer since 1978, races primarily in Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio. His career highlight came in 2005, when he sent out Deputy G to win the Bashford Manor Stakes at Churchill Downs. He has won 542 races.