from harnessracing.com

Lexington, KY — According to the New Jersey Racing Commission, trainer Ake Svanstedt has withdrawn his appeal of the penalties imposed as a result of positive tests on two of his horses in early August at the Meadowlands, including $273,600 John Cashman Jr. Memorial Trot winner Resolve.

Svanstedt was fined $500 and suspended 15 days for the positive test for Dexamethasone on Resolve after winning the Aug. 6 Cashman, and he received the same sanctions for a similar positive on Blue Muse, who won an $8,000 race the night before.

Svanstedt will serve his suspension from Jan. 6, 2017, through and including Feb. 5, 2017, with his fine payable by Feb. 5.

While NJRC executive director Frank Zanzuccki has now ordered the release of the purse monies in the Blue Muse race to be re-distributed, he told harnessracing.com that the Cashman purse money will continue to be in held in escrow as a result of Resolve’s owner, Hans Enggren, appealing the ruling regarding the redistribution of the purse.