Biancone Suspended
The Kentucky Horse Racing Authority has slapped trainer Patrick Biancone with a one year suspension for possession of three vials of cobra venom (DRF). Scheduled to start on October 15, the suspension won’t impede Biancone’s saddling of likely favorite Irish Smoke in today’s Alcibiades Stakes at Keeneland, where Biancone was leading trainer last spring. And according to attorney Frank Becker, Biancone plans to appeal the suspension, which means horses could be running under his name in the Breeders’ Cup. Well, that’ll look terrific on World Championship Day.
Biancone was issued additional suspensions, which KHRA will allow him to serve concurrently, for possessing other illegal substances, not properly labeling medications, and not reporting that his veterinarian, Dr. Rod Stewart, possessed cobra venom. (Stewart was given a five year suspension for that violation in September.) Among the other illegal substances and improperly labeled medications mentioned in the full KHRA ruling (PDF) were sodium bicarbonate and one “injectable bottle of unknown brown honey-colored liquid marked ‘For Mythical Echo Only’ …”
When Biancone does start his suspension, he won’t be able to transfer horses to an assistant trainer or a relative for training or derive any income from his barn, as often happens in these cases, in accordance with Kentucky’s tough new medication rules (KHRA).
Update 10/11/07: Biancone has been granted a stay of suspension until his appeal can be heard (ESPN).
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