Editor’s Note: Thoroughbred trainer Jonathan Wong, whose case we profiled earlier this month, learned Monday (Feb. 12) that he will be suspended for two years and fined $25,000 for a Metformin positive incurred by one of his runners, Heaven and Earth, after a race at Horseshoe Indianapolis last June. Wong also is responsible for paying the Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit (HIWU) $8,000 in costs for having the temerity to take the case to arbitration before a Horseracing Integrity & Safety Authority (HISA) panel.

Metformin is the third-most prescribed medication in America, with more than 90 million prescriptions filled last year. It is used by humans to mitigate blood sugar issues and is considered a banned substance in horse racing; any detectable amount is considered a positive. He has argued that Heaven and Earth’s groom was on Metformin. Connect the dots.

A few months ago, Lisa Lazarus, commenting on a methamphetamine positive that, to any rational observer, was the result of contamination, put the onus on trainers to ensure that their shedrows and staffs were free of anyone who might possibly be a drug user. Apparently, horsemen need to start monitoring their employees’ blood sugar levels and prescription schedules as well.

Mr. Wong likely will appeal to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the same agency that until a legislative tweak by Sen. Mitch McConnell after the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals found HISA unconstitutional, actually was below HISA in the administrative hierarchy. A federal court appeal is also possible. In the meantime, he remains out of business.

The U.S. Trotting Association has worked with horsemen and veterinarians to create the Racehorse Health and Safety Act (RHSA), a much better alternative to HISA and HIWU that focuses on science, not optics, and puts the health and welfare of the horse first.  To learn more about RHSA, click here.

Columbus, OH — In a story written on BloodHorse.com, a Metformin positive has resulted in a suspension, fine and an order to pay arbitration expenses for Thoroughbred trainer Jonathan Wong.

Thoroughbred trainer Jonathan Wong has been suspended two years, fined $25,000 and ordered to pay arbitration expenses of $8,000 for a Metformin positive. Benoit photo.

In the story, Eric Mitchell wrote, “Trainer Jonathan Wong has been given a two-year suspension, a $25,000 fine, and will be required to pay $8,000 toward arbitration costs for a metformin positive found last June in Tommy Town Thoroughbreds’ filly Heaven and Earth.

“The sanctions were published Feb. 12 by the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit along with a 50-page ruling from arbitrator Nancy Holtz.

“Wong has indicated he will appeal the penalties to the Federal Trade Commission or possibly pursue a remedy in federal court.”

To read the complete story on BloodHorse.com, click here.