by Karsten Bonsdorf, USTA web newsroom correspondent

Pierre Levesque, twice the winner of one of the biggest harness races in the world, the Prix d’Amerique, and one of the leading drivers and trainers in France, was handed a three month suspension today after a positive test in one of his trotters, Ufo Kievitshof. Besides the suspension Levesque was fined $10,500.

Ufo Kievitshof had been treated in a front leg two months before he raced at the Vichy track in the French province on June 3. He finished fourth and after the race was taken for a drug test.

As it was the third time within five years that a trotter of Levesque’s was found positive in a drug test, the suspension and the fine was more than normal.

“I think it’s obvious that Pierre Levesque didn’t make a mistake by racing Ufo Kievitshof too early after the treatment, but unfortunately the banned substance was found in the horse,” Jacques Chartier, executive director of the French Trotting Association said on the French racing channel Equidia.

While Levesque is suspended his stable probably will continue racing in the name of Sebastian Ernault.