Multiple stakes winner and 2020 Kentucky Derby (G1) ninth-place finisher Necker Island has been disqualified from a first-place finish in the Mighty Beau Stakes June 18, 2023, at Ellis Park after postrace tests taken from the horse revealed markers for acepromazine.
The Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit also suspended his trainer, Chris Hartman, for 15 days, issued him two penalty points, and fined him $1,000 for the violation. Hartman began his suspension June 6.
Acepromazine, known as ace, is a commonly used tranquilizer in the horse racing industry. A therapeutic drug, it can be used to sedate horses for reasons that include veterinary procedures and travel. It is sometimes used before morning training to treat horses who are overeager or prone to tying up.
Metabolites of the drug can linger in a horse’s system for an extended period after administration.
Hartman’s case went before the HIWU Internal Adjudication Panel, which examined chain-of-custody and metabolite considerations.
Dr. Ethan Wilborn, a partner in Kentucky Equine Medical Associates, testified that acepromazine was administered to Necker Island to “cool him out” after the Mighty Beau. Based on the evidence, the panel determined the administration would have come after a test sample was collected by track personnel after the race and “does not account for or explain” the presence of acepromazine markers in the sample.
The Scherr Boys’ Necker Island forfeits $138,500 in earnings with his disqualification from the Mighty Beau.
Necker Island is winless in six starts since last June’s race.
 "BCCI want Test specialists to play domestic cricket; Rohit, Virat, Bumrah to be exceptions")
