William Morey's Santa Anita stable dispersed

ARCADIA, Calif. – Trainer William Morey, who has not started any horses since March 29 after an apparent medication violation at Santa Anita that day, has dispersed his Santa Anita-based runners, with some going to other trainers here and others shipped off the property.

Morey last had runners on March 29 at Golden Gate Fields. He was forced to scratch three runners at Santa Anita that day approximately 30 minutes before post time for the first race for what stewards said was a medication violation. The stewards have not provided further information, and Morey has not returned repeated phone calls or text messages in the last week. Three other horses trained by Morey were scratched on March 30-31.

The California Horse Racing Board has launched an investigation into the withdrawal of those horses, according to a person familiar with the situation. Santa Anita officials have declined to comment on Morey’s status.

Morey, 44, has won 10 races with 56 starters at Santa Anita since the start of the meet on Dec. 26.

Franco suspended three days

Geovanni Franco, third in the jockey standings at Santa Anita through April 7, will serve a three-day suspension beginning Sunday for causing interference in the first race on April 6.

Franco, 28, was cited for failing to maintain a straight course in the stretch on Fool’s Paradise, who finished fifth in a field of eight. There was no change in the order of finish.

Franco’s suspension continues next Friday and Saturday.