DeMola, who runs a small stable, won two races during the Aqueduct Winter meeting.The ruling comes as New York horsemen await the final answer on a detention barn, slated to begin for all NYRA races when Belmont opens for business on May 4. It is unlikely a detention barn would curb the use of clenbuterol, which is used in training and administered days ahead of a race.
Trainer Richard DeMola has been slapped with a 15-day suspension by the New York State Racing and Wagering Board for the finding of clenbuterol in the post-race test of the winning Mr. Determined. The best horse in DeMola's stable was the winner of the seventh race at Aqueduct on Feb. 19. Mr. Determined, who is entered to run Saturday in the second race at Aqueduct, was disqualified from that result and the purse money from the race has been redistributed.The original ruling called for a 30-day suspension, but the ban was cut in half when DeMola waived his right to appeal. He will begin serving on April 13 and will be denied privileges to all New York Racing Association tracks through April 27.