Trainer draws nine-month ban

Fort Erie-based owner-trainer Michael Osborne has been suspended for nine months through July 28, 2010 and fined $1,500 for an incident at Woodbine.

Osborne had shipped in Intothewilderness to run at Woodbine on Aug. 2. A random inspection of the receiving barn by Woodbine security uncovered a plastic bag containing a loaded hypodermic syringe with a needle attached in Osborne's possession.

A follow-up analysis by the Ontario Racing Commission determined liquid in the syringe to be n-butanol and ethanol both alcohol, a Class 2 medication.

Osborne, 49, has been training since 1999 and has sent out 75 winners from 1,107 starts.