By: Jim Dunleavy
Eddie Clouston, the leading trainer at Mountaineer last year and at the current meeting, has been suspended by the board of stewards for a medication violation. Clouston also was suspended additional days under the Multiple Medication Violation system.
So Frank, who finished second in the fifth race at Mountaineer on June 12, was found to have the corticosteroid betamethasone in her system. Betamethasone is categorized as a Class 4 drug with Class C penalties. Class 4 drugs, according to the stewards’ report, “have a more limited ability to influence the performance of a racehorse.”
Betamethasone can be used for treating such varied conditions as rheumatoid arthritis and skin disorders such as dermatitis and psoriasis.
The stewards fined Clouston $1,500 and suspended him 15 days for the infraction. They also was assessed him one point under the Multiple Medication Violation system. Since Clouston had a Class 4 positive within 365 days and received two points for it, the stewards suspended him an additional 30 days.
Clouston’s suspension began July 21 and will continue through Sept. 3. Clouston has appealed the ruling, and a hearing is scheduled for Aug. 15. Clouston will not be allowed to run horses prior to his hearing.
So Frank has been disqualified from the purse money of her June 12 race. She has been placed on the vet’s list from July 21 to Sept. 3 and will not be allowed to race during that time.
