Wait a While Tests Positive in BC

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The Todd Pletcher-trained Wait a While, champion 3-year-old filly of 2006, tested positive for procaine in the $2-million Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (gr. IT) at Santa Anita Park, it was confirmed Dec. 5 by the California Horse Racing Board. Procaine is a local anesthetic found in the antibiotic procaine penicillin G.

The CHRB filed a complaint against Pletcher after the Maddy Laboratory at the University of California-Davis reported that a sample taken from Wait a While exceeded the regulatory threshold for procaine. The finding was confirmed by the Pennsylvania Equine Research Laboratory.

Procaine, a commonly administered antibiotic in horses is a class 3 violation, calls for a minimum 30-day suspension.

“Two days after winning the Yellow Ribbon Stakes at Santa Anita on September 27, Wait A While developed a temperature. She did not respond well to other antibiotics," Pletcher said in a statement issued on his behalf Dec. 5. "After conferring with our veterinarians, we felt that it was in her best interest to treat her with Penicillin. We were advised that 14 days was more than ample withdrawal time. She received her last injection of the antibiotic on October 6, 18 days prior to the Breeders’ Cup.

"Along with our attorney, Neil Papiano, we look forward to our hearing with the CHRB so that we can present them with the facts”. 

Wait a While, who finished third in the Filly & Mare Turf for owner Arindale Farm, faces a disqualification and loss of purse money. The stewards at Hollywood Park have a scheduled a Dec. 14 hearing regarding Wait a While, but have not yet scheduled a hearing for Pletcher. Her earnings in the race totaled $213,000.

Breeders' Cup senior vice president of racing Pam Blatz-Murff issued a statement on the positive test.

"The Breeders' Cup strives to ensure a level playing field and to uphold the integrity of the competition in the Breeders' Cup World Championships, and this year, we worked with the California Horse Racing Board to authorize the most comprehensive testing program in U.S. racing," Blatz-Murff said. "The Breeders' Cup supports the actions of the CHRB, which has jurisdiction over our event this year and next."

The 2009 World Championships also will be hosted by Santa Anita.

This is Pletcher’s second positive in recent years. In late 2006, he was suspended 45 days for a mepivacaine positive found in his horse Tales of Glory.