Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher is facing a pending medication violation for the presence of betamethasone in a horse he trains, Vassimo, who won his debut at Gulfstream Park. This is Pletcher’s second Class C violation, with the first being for dexamethasone in a different horse last year. If found in violation, Pletcher could face penalties including disqualification, fines, and a period of ineligibility.
The corticosteroid betamethasone is primarily administered to horses in joint injections and is permitted therapeutically outside of use before racing. This substance was the reason behind the disqualification of Medina Spirit from the 2021 Kentucky Derby. Pletcher’s pending case does not affect Vassimo’s eligibility for the Risen Star Stakes, a race on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.
Pletcher’s attorney, Andrew Mollica, received a charge letter from the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit and stated that they do not believe the allegation is accurate. Pletcher has the option to request a hearing, reach a resolution, or sign an admission of the violation. Other trainers have chosen not to sign such admissions in similar cases, believing their violations were caused by contamination.
