Joe Taylor, who won the training title at Parx Racing in 2019, accepted a six-year suspension this month after he was accused in June of medicating two horses with clenbuterol and methylphenidate, the Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit reported on its website.
BloodHorse first reported the suspension Wednesday.
Taylor began serving his suspension July 18. That was when he medicated Cajun Cousin and Classy American with the banned drugs, according to HIWU.
Cajun Cousin, a 4-year-old filly, finished second in a June 18 race after which she was claimed for $10,000 and transferred to trainer Ron Dandy. Classy American, a 5-year-old gelding, was the runner-up in a June 20 claiming race and was picked up two starts later on a $15,000 tag. He was moved to the barn of Crystal Pickett.
After they were reported to have tested positive after their races, the horses were disqualified, and $15,200 in purse earnings were ordered by HIWU to be forfeited. Classy American also was disqualified from a victory in his next start July 12, meaning another $16,200 had to be returned.
Both horses were declared ineligible to race again until August 2024.
Clenbuterol is a drug that makes breathing easier for horses while also promoting leaner muscle mass, according to websites describing animal medications. Methylphenidate, which often is branded for humans as the ADHD drug Ritalin, is used in horses as a nervous-system stimulant that raises the pulse, breathing rate and blood pressure to potentially dangerous levels.
Taylor also was fined $50,000. His suspensions were ordered by HIWU to run back to back, meaning they will not expire until July 17, 2029.
According to Equibase, Taylor started his Thoroughbred training career in 2010 and went full time in 2017. He has $9,691,380 in career earnings with a record of 2,011: 327-331-290.
A 2019 profile on the Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association website said Taylor worked as an assistant to Tony Correnti between 2004 and 2011 and worked with standardbreds at Liberty Bell Park in 1977. Between stints in racing, Taylor drove a big rig, worked in the steel business and even competed in the World Series of Poker.
