Trainer Jeffrey Englehart fined for positive test for phenylbutazone
ELMONT, N.Y. - Trainer Jeffrey Englehart begins a 10-day suspension Wednesday after the horse Profusion tested positive for phenylbutazone following a sixth-place finish in the fourth race at Aqueduct on April 8. Phenylbutazone is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory that can be used to treat lameness.
Engelhart, who was also fined $1,000, waived his right of appeal.
The suspension is for 10 calendar days and lasts through July 1. Englehart runs horses at Finger Lakes where he is the leading trainer with 16 wins. Finger Lakes conducts racing Mondays through Wednesdays.
Profusion was ordered unplaced and his connections had to forfeit the $1,120 earned for running fifth.
This is the third medication-related suspension incurred by Englehart since 2016.
Englehart served a 10-day suspension for the finding of phenylbutazone in Runningwscissors, who finished third in the $100,000 Say Florida Sandy Stakes at Aqueduct on Jan. 9, 2021. That horse was disqualified and ordered unplaced and the owners had to forfeit the $12,000 share of the purse.
In 2016, Englehart was suspended seven days for the finding of flunixin, which alleviates inflammation and pain, in Appealetta, who ran first in the third race at Finger Lakes on June 14, 2016. That, too, resulted in an unplacing of the horse and a forfeiture of purse money.
Englehart had strong meets at Aqueduct winter (10 for 62) and Aqueduct spring (7 for 23). He is 3 for 26 at the Belmont spring/summer meet.
The gaming commission issued several other fines last week:
* Jockey Luis Saez was fined $1,500 by the New York Gaming Commission “for failing to conduct business in a proper manner,” according to a ruling on the commission website.
According to agent Kiaran McLaughlin, Saez’s penalty stemmed from Thursday’s third race at Belmont. Saez rode Braciole, who was eased late after vying for contention to the quarter pole of the $40,000 claiming race. According to McLaughlin, Saez indicated to a racing official afterward that Braciole “wasn’t great” while jogging prerace but was moving better once he galloped him.
* Trainer Rudy Rodriguez was also fined $500 by the commission for failing to tend to business in a proper manner.
* Trainer George Weaver was fined $500 for failing to report shockwave treatment.