Trainer Patrick Biancone has been fined $10,000 by California stewards for a medication infraction dating to Jan. 7.
The French-born trainer is serving a 15-day suspension for a medication violation in Kentucky. An additional 15-day suspension in California was stayed on condition that he incur no other violations within a year of the Sept. 5 ruling, according to a Sept. 7 statement from the California Horse Racing Board.
In California, the Biancone-trained Iron Butterfly tested positive for the bronchodilator Salmeterol following the third race at Santa Anita Park Jan. 7. The class 3 medication is prohibited in a horse during a race, A hearing is pending on the disqualification of the horse.
The initial complaint by the CHRB against Biancone was issued May 3.
In Kentucky, following a May 3 race at Churchill Downs, the Biancone-trained 2-year-old filly L'Aziza tested positive for caffeine and theophylline, a substance used for respiratory problems. Churchill stewards suspended Biancone for 15 days through Sept. 19.
Biancone remains under investigation by the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority following a July search of his three barns at Keeneland and the truck of his veterinarian, Dr. Rod Stewart. Racing officials haven't said what was obtained in the search, but it has been alleged to be cobra venom, a substance used to kill pain.
Stewart has been suspended indefinitely by the KHRA for failing to follow a Kentucky steward's order to provide all documentation of his purchase, possession, and use of medications and drugs since Jan. 1 of this year.
California stewards had previously postponed a hearing on a related complaint against Stewart.
