Pletcher Fined, Suspended
Trainer Todd Pletcher has been fined $3,000 and suspended for 45 days by the New York stewards for a drug positive from last summer (ESPN). Tales of Glory won an allowance race at Saratoga last August and tested positive for mepivacaine, an anesthetic that has “a high potential to affect performance.” Pletcher has appealed the ruling. Whispers about the use of performance enhancing substances have long dogged the trainer, and this positive, which is Pletcher’s first, will give gossips plenty to talk about. It’s unlikely there’ll be much other fallout. As Alan notes over on Left at the Gate, trainer Richard Dutrow was sanctioned for a similar offense and,
If the appeal fails, Pletcher’s 2004 Saratoga record will be changed to 34 wins. He won 35 at the meet in 2003.
