By: Tom Precious
Trainer Roy Sedlacek was banned from all racetracks in New York for five years by regulators following what officials said was evidence two horses that ran last October at Belmont Park were administered an opioid analgesic drug nearly as potent as morphine.
Sedlacek on Jan. 26 was slapped with a five-year license suspension by the New York State Gaming Commission after two of his horses tested positive for what is known as AH-7921, a powerful synthetic drug. The Association of Racing Commissioners International last fall said it was the first time the drug was detected by a racing regulatory agency.
The positive drug results showed up in Bossmon, who finished second in a Belmont race Oct. 11, and Literata, who finished first in an Oct. 18 race. Sedlacek also owned both horses and will forfeit the purse money, which combined for the two races was $44,600.
Racing officials indefinitely suspended Sedlacek last fall after the positive tests were revealed while a hearing process was held. A state hearing officer Dec. 21 upheld the charges against the trainer.
ARCI officials said the rare designer drug is as potent as morphine, but is compounded in a way to try to avoid detection by testing labs.
