Trainers Callaghan, Alvarado and Miller sanctioned by CHRB
Trainers Ruben Alvarado, Simon Callaghan and Peter Miller were recently penalized by the California Horse Racing Board for infractions incurred earlier this year, according to recent rulings.
The trainers were sanctioned after reaching stipulated agreements with the racing board.
Callaghan was fined $2,500 by stewards at the Alameda County Fair at Pleasanton after Shes Bout a Mover tested positive for the muscle relaxant methocarbomal following a last-place finish at Golden Gate Fields on Feb. 6.
Callaghan, 39, was issued a seven-day suspension that was stayed provided the trainer does not have any violations in medications in classes 1 through 4 through June 24, 2023. Methocarbomal is a class 4 medication.
Alvarado, 53, is suspended 14 days from Friday through July 14 for improperly handling daily training and business affairs related to the large stable trainer Peter Miller relinquished to him last fall.
Miller, one of California’s most high-profile trainers, announced last November that he planned to take a hiatus from training and that Alvarado would assume day-to-day control.
In a complaint filed earlier this year, Alvarado was cited for being aware that Miller maintained a role in everyday stable activities and that he “did not set up his own stable bank account independent of Miller, which was required per the Steward’s direction.”
Alvarado is denied access to racetracks and training centers under the administration of the racing board during the suspension, the ruling states.
Miller served a seven-day suspension from June 6-12 and was fined $10,000 by the racing board regarding his actions in the day-to-day operations of the stable earlier this year.
In addition, Miller was filed $5,000 by the racing board for disorderly conduct at the San Luis Rey Downs training center on Feb. 14. The fine was published by Los Alamitos stewards on June 24.
Miller, 55, was cited for his behavior toward veterinarian Barrie Grant after Grant informed Miller that a horse he owned would remain on a veterinarian’s list following a workout.
Miller recently returned to training following the conclusion of the Santa Anita winter-spring meeting on June 19 and had two winners from four starters at Churchill Downs and Los Alamitos on June 25. Miller, who has horses entered at Pleasanton on Friday and Los Alamitos on Saturday, was the leading trainer of the Del Mar summer meeting last summer. The 2022 season begins on July 22.