Harness Racing Communications, a division of the USTA

The web site of Standardbred Canada is reporting that Trainer Doug McIntosh will appeal and has been given a stay of a 180 day suspension by the Illinois Racing Board for a positive test in the filly Strong Tea in the American National on November 6, 2004.

The sample was drawn from the then two-year-old trotting filly Strong Tea after she won the final of the American National at Balmoral Park. The sample is said to show the presence of local anesthetic Hydroxy-Mepviacaine, a class two substance. McIntosh has told a reporter from Trot Magazine that he has already launched an appeal and will fight the ruling. Strong Tea was a divisional finalist for Standardbred Canada’s O’Brien awards. Under a new policy ratified by their Board of Directors, she will now be withdrawn from consideration.