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National Rulings Oct. 23 – 28; Martin Orona, Sr. Banned Two Years

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Every week, the TDN posts a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA)-related rulings from around the country.

The following rulings were reported on HISA’s “rulings” portal and through the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU)’s “pending” and “resolved” cases portals.

Among this week’s rulings, New Mexico trainer Martin Orona, Sr. has been banned two years and fined $25,000 for an out-of-competition medication violation after his trainee, Miss Fluffy, tested positive for the presence of non-inhalation Albuterol (Salbutamol) in a sample taken on March 22.

Albuterol, a bronchodilator, is banned when injected and permitted for use only as an inhaled drug, as long as it’s prescribed by a veterinarian as part of a valid veterinarian-patient-client relationship and recorded in the HISA portal. Read more about the drug here.

HIWU currently has no detailed explainer on the decision posted on its website. According to Equibase, Orona, Sr. has been training since 1994 with limited impact, collecting $419,855 in earnings and winning 39 races.

Resolved ADMC Violations

Dates: 10/27/2026

Licensee: Loren F. Huepenbecker, trainer

Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on October 28, 2026; Disqualification of Covered Horse’s Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $1,000; imposition of 2 Penalty Points.

Explainer: Vets’ list medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine-a class B controlled substance-in a sample taken from Salute the Ghost, who finished fifth at Thistledown on 9/15/26.

Dates: 10/27/2026

Licensee: Alejandro Gomez, trainer

Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse’s Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points.

Explainer: Medication violations for the presence of Phenylbutazone-a class C controlled substance-in a sample taken from Go Jack Go, who won at Thistledown on 9/9/26.

Dates: 10/26/2026

Licensee: Martin Orona, Sr., trainer

Penalty: 2-year period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on October 27, 2026; Ineligibility for Covered Horse beginning on April 20, 2026, and subject to a Negative Finding in a Re-Entry Test; a fine of $25,000.

Explainer: Out-of-competition medication violation for the presence of Albuterol (Salbutamol)-a banned substance-in a sample taken from Miss Fluffy on 3/22/26.

Dates: 10/23/2026

Licensee: Pavel Matejka, trainer

Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse’s Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points.

Explainer: Medication violations for the potential breach of rule 3313, the “Use or Attempted Use of a Controlled Medication Substance during the Race Period.” The substance in question is “Cavalor,” an energy boost. It concerns the horse First Thought, for an incident dated 9/9/26.

Dates: 10/23/2026

Licensee: Jose Camejo, trainer

Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on October 24, 2026; Disqualification of Covered Horse’s Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $1,000; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points.

Explainer: Medication violations for the presence of Flunixin-a class C controlled substance-in a sample taken from Glacial Power, who won at Belterra Park on 9/10/26.

Dates: 10/23/2026

Licensee: Ron Ellis, trainer

Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse’s Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $250; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points.

Explainer: Medication violations for the presence of Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO)-a class C controlled substance-in a sample taken from Day at the Track, who finished third at Santa Anita on 6/15/26.

Pending ADMC Violations

10/27/2026, Michael Maker, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Dexamethasone-a class C controlled substance-in a sample taken from Company You Keep, who won at Horseshoe Indianapolis on 8/25/26.

10/23/2026, Roderick R. Rodriguez, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone-a class C controlled substance-in a sample taken from Fiveeyesonskystars, who finished eighth at Saratoga on 9/26/26.

10/23/2026, Chris Englehart, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine-a class B controlled substance-in a sample taken from Cloudy Chance, who finished second at Saratoga on 8/13/26.

Crop Violations

Keeneland

Gerardo A. Corrales – reporting date October 24; $1,000 fine, two-day suspension

William Antongeorgi – reporting date October 24; $1,500 fine, three-day suspension

Ben Curtis – reporting date October 24; $1,500 fine, two-day suspension

Jaime A. Torres – reporting date October 24; $500 fine, one-day suspension

John Velazquez – reporting date October 24; $1,000 fine, two-day suspension

Penn National

Yabriel O. Ramos – reporting date October 26; $250 fine, one-day suspension

The post National Rulings Oct. 23 – 28; Martin Orona, Sr. Banned Two Years appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

‘Golden’ Hour: Breeders’ Cup Star Power on Display After Sunrise

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LEXINGTON, Ky. — With the sky ever-so-briefly lit up in stunning pinkish hues at sunrise, the curtain was lifted on another spectacular morning ahead of this weekend’s Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland.

Trainer Cherie DeVaux was all smiles ponying her GI Kentucky Derby and GI Belmont Stakes winner and ‘TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard’ Golden Tempo (Curlin) while passing a nice crowd of horsemen and media types assembled along the backstretch rail as the track re-opened for business following the break at 8 a.m.

Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott, briefly taking in the action from the chute aboard stable pony Rocky, gave an outrider a fist bump, then sent the physically imposing ‘Rising Star’ Knightsbridge (Nyquist) on his way for another head-turning gallop ahead of the GI Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Fellow Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse, meanwhile, was standing on the track putting the finishing touches on the brilliant Nitrogen (Medaglia d’Oro) (Distaff) and Voyager (Justify) (Juvenile Fillies).

The blaze face of the very handsome ‘Rising Star’ Coach Pope (Tapit) (Juvenile), steered by the ageless Danny Ramsey, immediately caught the eye as did Juvenile Fillies longshot Rum Twist (Mandaloun), who made a very favorable impression as well. Trainer Kenny McPeek named Coach Pope in honor of his buddy Mark Pope, head coach of the University of Kentucky’s men’s basketball team.

Magnitude (Not This Time) (Classic) continues to train like a powerhouse every morning and gives every indication that his GI Whitney S. flop is a distant memory.

The highlight of the morning belonged to Breeders’ Cup Classic defending champion Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}), who fired a four-furlong warning shot in a fantastic :50.20.

Forever Young works alongside American Stage in final preparations for the Longines #BreedersCup Classic.

#フォーエバーヤング https://t.co/Pl2hovFzjg

— Breeders’ Cup (@BreedersCup) October 28, 2026

Good to Be King (War Front) (Juvenile Turf Sprint) was spotted amongst the chaos for Keeneland’s all-time winningest trainer Rusty Arnold, who will also saddle live longshot Kilwin (Twirling Candy) in the Filly and Mare Sprint.

The stretch-running Sorrento Sky (Prince of Lir {Ire}) is another who looks like they’ll outrun their odds in the Turf Sprint for those interested in some price plays.

Breeders’ Cup morning-line favorites–including speed-of-the-speed Bacio (Maclean’s Music) (5-2, Turf Sprint); Keeneland-loving ‘Rising Star’ Further Ado (Gun Runner) (2-1, Dirt Mile); Bob Baffert-trained unbeaten ‘Rising Star’ Hughes (Into Mischief) (1-1, Juvenile); Aidan O’Brien-trained ‘Rising Star’ Sun Goddess (Ire) (Sioux Nation) (6-5, Juvenile Fillies Turf); and ‘Rising Star’ Ways and Means (Practical Joke) (7-5, Filly and Mare Sprint) were all out strutting their stuff during this training window as well.

Another strong gallop from Sovereignty over a quiet main track #BreedersCup2026 https://t.co/sMHq8MGXso

— Steve Sherack (@SteveSherackTDN) October 28, 2026

What better way to close out the morning than with Sovereignty (Into Mischief).

After schooling like a gentleman once again in the paddock, it was more business as usual for the reigning Horse of the Year, who turned in another easy-on-the-eyes gallop as training hours began to wind down just after 9 a.m.

The post ‘Golden’ Hour: Breeders’ Cup Star Power on Display After Sunrise appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

National Rulings Oct. 23 – 28; Martin Orona, Sr. Banned Two Years

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Every week, the TDN posts a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA)-related rulings from around the country.

The following rulings were reported on HISA’s “rulings” portal and through the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU)’s “pending” and “resolved” cases portals.

Among this week’s rulings, New Mexico trainer Martin Orona, Sr. has been banned two years and fined $25,000 for an out-of-competition medication violation after his trainee, Miss Fluffy, tested positive for the presence of non-inhalation Albuterol (Salbutamol) in a sample taken on March 22.

Albuterol, a bronchodilator, is banned when injected and permitted for use only as an inhaled drug, as long as it’s prescribed by a veterinarian as part of a valid veterinarian-patient-client relationship and recorded in the HISA portal. Read more about the drug here.

HIWU currently has no detailed explainer on the decision posted on its website. According to Equibase, Orona, Sr. has been training since 1994 with limited impact, collecting $419,855 in earnings and winning 39 races.

Resolved ADMC Violations

Dates: 10/27/2026

Licensee: Loren F. Huepenbecker, trainer

Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on October 28, 2026; Disqualification of Covered Horse’s Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $1,000; imposition of 2 Penalty Points.

Explainer: Vets’ list medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine-a class B controlled substance-in a sample taken from Salute the Ghost, who finished fifth at Thistledown on 9/15/26.

Dates: 10/27/2026

Licensee: Alejandro Gomez, trainer

Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse’s Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points.

Explainer: Medication violations for the presence of Phenylbutazone-a class C controlled substance-in a sample taken from Go Jack Go, who won at Thistledown on 9/9/26.

Dates: 10/26/2026

Licensee: Martin Orona, Sr., trainer

Penalty: 2-year period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on October 27, 2026; Ineligibility for Covered Horse beginning on April 20, 2026, and subject to a Negative Finding in a Re-Entry Test; a fine of $25,000.

Explainer: Out-of-competition medication violation for the presence of Albuterol (Salbutamol)-a banned substance-in a sample taken from Miss Fluffy on 3/22/26.

Dates: 10/23/2026

Licensee: Pavel Matejka, trainer

Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse’s Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points.

Explainer: Medication violations for the potential breach of rule 3313, the “Use or Attempted Use of a Controlled Medication Substance during the Race Period.” The substance in question is “Cavalor,” an energy boost. It concerns the horse First Thought, for an incident dated 9/9/26.

Dates: 10/23/2026

Licensee: Jose Camejo, trainer

Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on October 24, 2026; Disqualification of Covered Horse’s Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $1,000; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points.

Explainer: Medication violations for the presence of Flunixin-a class C controlled substance-in a sample taken from Glacial Power, who won at Belterra Park on 9/10/26.

Dates: 10/23/2026

Licensee: Ron Ellis, trainer

Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse’s Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $250; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points.

Explainer: Medication violations for the presence of Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO)-a class C controlled substance-in a sample taken from Day at the Track, who finished third at Santa Anita on 6/15/26.

Pending ADMC Violations

10/27/2026, Michael Maker, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Dexamethasone-a class C controlled substance-in a sample taken from Company You Keep, who won at Horseshoe Indianapolis on 8/25/26.

10/23/2026, Roderick R. Rodriguez, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone-a class C controlled substance-in a sample taken from Fiveeyesonskystars, who finished eighth at Saratoga on 9/26/26.

10/23/2026, Chris Englehart, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine-a class B controlled substance-in a sample taken from Cloudy Chance, who finished second at Saratoga on 8/13/26.

Crop Violations

Keeneland

Gerardo A. Corrales – reporting date October 24; $1,000 fine, two-day suspension

William Antongeorgi – reporting date October 24; $1,500 fine, three-day suspension

Ben Curtis – reporting date October 24; $1,500 fine, two-day suspension

Jaime A. Torres – reporting date October 24; $500 fine, one-day suspension

John Velazquez – reporting date October 24; $1,000 fine, two-day suspension

Penn National

Yabriel O. Ramos – reporting date October 26; $250 fine, one-day suspension

The post National Rulings Oct. 23 – 28; Martin Orona, Sr. Banned Two Years appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

‘Golden’ Hour: Breeders’ Cup Star Power on Display After Sunrise

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LEXINGTON, Ky. — With the sky ever-so-briefly lit up in stunning pinkish hues at sunrise, the curtain was lifted on another spectacular morning ahead of this weekend’s Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland.

Trainer Cherie DeVaux was all smiles ponying her GI Kentucky Derby and GI Belmont Stakes winner and ‘TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard’ Golden Tempo (Curlin) while passing a nice crowd of horsemen and media types assembled along the backstretch rail as the track re-opened for business following the break at 8 a.m.

Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott, briefly taking in the action from the chute aboard stable pony Rocky, gave an outrider a fist bump, then sent the physically imposing ‘Rising Star’ Knightsbridge (Nyquist) on his way for another head-turning gallop ahead of the GI Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Fellow Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse, meanwhile, was standing on the track putting the finishing touches on the brilliant Nitrogen (Medaglia d’Oro) (Distaff) and Voyager (Justify) (Juvenile Fillies).

The blaze face of the very handsome ‘Rising Star’ Coach Pope (Tapit) (Juvenile), steered by the ageless Danny Ramsey, immediately caught the eye as did Juvenile Fillies longshot Rum Twist (Mandaloun), who made a very favorable impression as well. Trainer Kenny McPeek named Coach Pope in honor of his buddy Mark Pope, head coach of the University of Kentucky’s men’s basketball team.

Magnitude (Not This Time) (Classic) continues to train like a powerhouse every morning and gives every indication that his GI Whitney S. flop is a distant memory.

The highlight of the morning belonged to Breeders’ Cup Classic defending champion Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}), who fired a four-furlong warning shot in a fantastic :50.20.

Forever Young works alongside American Stage in final preparations for the Longines #BreedersCup Classic.

#フォーエバーヤング https://t.co/Pl2hovFzjg

— Breeders’ Cup (@BreedersCup) October 28, 2026

Good to Be King (War Front) (Juvenile Turf Sprint) was spotted amongst the chaos for Keeneland’s all-time winningest trainer Rusty Arnold, who will also saddle live longshot Kilwin (Twirling Candy) in the Filly and Mare Sprint.

The stretch-running Sorrento Sky (Prince of Lir {Ire}) is another who looks like they’ll outrun their odds in the Turf Sprint for those interested in some price plays.

Breeders’ Cup morning-line favorites–including speed-of-the-speed Bacio (Maclean’s Music) (5-2, Turf Sprint); Keeneland-loving ‘Rising Star’ Further Ado (Gun Runner) (2-1, Dirt Mile); Bob Baffert-trained unbeaten ‘Rising Star’ Hughes (Into Mischief) (1-1, Juvenile); Aidan O’Brien-trained ‘Rising Star’ Sun Goddess (Ire) (Sioux Nation) (6-5, Juvenile Fillies Turf); and ‘Rising Star’ Ways and Means (Practical Joke) (7-5, Filly and Mare Sprint) were all out strutting their stuff during this training window as well.

Another strong gallop from Sovereignty over a quiet main track #BreedersCup2026 https://t.co/sMHq8MGXso

— Steve Sherack (@SteveSherackTDN) October 28, 2026

What better way to close out the morning than with Sovereignty (Into Mischief).

After schooling like a gentleman once again in the paddock, it was more business as usual for the reigning Horse of the Year, who turned in another easy-on-the-eyes gallop as training hours began to wind down just after 9 a.m.

The post ‘Golden’ Hour: Breeders’ Cup Star Power on Display After Sunrise appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.