Trainer Kitchingman fined for excess cobalt

ARCADIA, Calif. - Trainer Adam Kitchingman was fined $1,000 by the Santa Anita stewards Friday after one of his winners at Del Mar tested in excess of the permitted level of cobalt.

The overage was found in a post-race test taken from Unobtainable, the winner of a maiden claimer at five furlongs Aug. 11 as the 2-1 second choice.

California follows the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium’s guidelines for cobalt levels, which is 25 parts per billion, according to Santa Anita stewards. Unobtainable’s test showed 26.1 parts per billion.

Cobalt is a naturally occurring mineral vital in the production of red blood cells, leading to concern that high levels could have performance-enhancing effects.

Conner gets 3-day suspension

Jockey Tyler Conner has been given a three-day suspension for failing to ride Masco Yodeler to the finish of Friday’s fourth race at Santa Anita.

Masco Yodeler lost third place in the final yards. Conner was penalized for costing his mount a better finishing position.

The suspension covers racing at Del Mar on Saturday and Sunday and Nov. 10.

Last Friday, Charming Ruler, a 3-1 shot, rallied on the rail in the final 50 yards to finish a half-length in front of Masco Yodeler, a 4-1 shot. Masco Yodeler was a well-beaten third with a furlong remaining. Conner used his whip several times in early stretch, but did not strike the horse in the last 100 yards, choosing to hand ride the gelding without urgency.

Craft Brew won the one-mile race by 2 1/2 lengths over Dayka, who was 8 1/2 lengths clear of Charming Ruler.