More than a half-dozen horses, including the winner of the Arlington Oaks (gr. III), have tested positive for Etodolac in tests following races at Arlington Park. According to the Association of Racing Commissioners International’s drug classifications, Etodolac is a Class 3 non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that is considered to have a low chance of performance enhancement. Among the horses testing positive was Upperline, winner of the Arlington Oaks (gr. III) on July 3. The filly, owned by trainer Michael Stidham, Stone Farm, John H. Adger, and Oakcrest Farm, was disqualified from the win as a result of the positive test. In addition to the loss of purse, Stidham was fined $1,000 and suspended 15 days, from Sept. 6-20. One trainer, Nick Canani, has had six horses in his stable test positive for Etodolac, according to Illinois Horse Racing Board records. They were: Copper Forest, first-place finisher in the second race May 6; Swains News, who finished second in a race July 9; Exchanging Kisses, who won on June 10; Klassi Berti, who ran second June 11; Miss MVP, a winner June 11; and Umma Umma, who won a race June 17. All of the horses have been declared unplaced and disqualified from purse money. Canani, the second-leading trainer at the Arlington meet, has been suspended a total of 45 days and fined $3,000 for the positives. The other horse that tested positive for Etodolac was Valise, winer of the fourth race July 10. The horse was disqualified and declared unplaced and disqualified from all purse money. Trainer Ingrid Mason was suspended 15 days and fined $1,000. According to the Daily Racing Form, all of the trainers continue to train pending appeals.
Upperline winning the Arlington Oaks July 3.
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