Multiple Grade 1-winning trainer Mark Glatt is pushing back against allegations of an equine drug violation, maintaining his innocence as the case remains unresolved.
The Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) flagged Glatt-trained Vanzzy for the presence of metformin and gabapentin following a runner-up finish in a $16,000 claiming race at Los Alamitos on Dec. 6. The results were made public on March 13, though the case has yet to be fully adjudicated.
HIWU’s records indicate Vanzzy is the first horse since July to test positive for metformin, a banned substance.
Metformin cases are currently under review by the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium, with potential regulatory changes pending approval from the Federal Trade Commission.
Despite this, HIWU maintains that a metformin violation results in automatic disqualification, though provisional suspensions for trainers remain deferred.
Glatt’s attorney, Drew Mollica, asserts the positive test is a contamination case, linking the substances to a barn employee’s prescribed medications. “Mr. Glatt denies any wrongdoing and will fight this every step of the way,” Mollica stated. “We have serious concerns about the validity of the testing process.”
Metformin, a widely used diabetes treatment in humans, and gabapentin, prescribed for nerve pain and seizures, have surfaced in past HIWU cases where trainers avoided penalties due to contamination.
Under current regulations, a metformin violation carries a potential two-year suspension and a fine of up to $25,000, while a gabapentin offense, classified as a Class B controlled medication, could lead to a 15-day suspension and a $1,000 fine.
Alexa Ravit, HIWU’s director of communications and outreach, confirmed that Glatt’s case will be adjudicated in its entirety, meaning the gabapentin charge will not be addressed separately while the metformin review remains ongoing.
Vanzzy, a three-time stakes winner, continued racing under new trainer Ben Colebrook after being claimed, finishing third in a $12,500 claimer at Turfway Park on Feb. 28. The industry will be watching closely as Glatt’s case unfolds, with broader implications for contamination defenses and HIWU’s enforcement approach.
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