Harness Racing Communications, a division of the USTA

The Ontario Racing Commission has denied an appeal of their ruling issued February 27, 2003 meting out a $1,000 fine and 15 days suspension to trainer David Jannone.

The penalty was given for a positive post race test for Hydrochlorothiazide in the horse Wescott after a win in a $300,000 (C) Ontario Sires Stakes race on November 16, 2002. The purse was redistributed after results of the test were complete.

Jannone and the connections of Westcott appealed the ruling, contending that the urine sample was contaminated by actions of the collector and that they were unable to test the results of a blood sample taken before the race for TCO2 testing.

The original fine and suspension now applies and the suspension will begin at a date agreed upon by Jannone and the Commission.