Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher has been suspended seven days by the Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit (HIWU), enforcement arm of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA), following one of his trainees testing positive for the controlled medication betamethasone.
Betamethasone is an FDA-approved equine corticosteroid indicated to control pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis in horses.
The three-year-old filly Weetamoo tested positive for betamethasone following her nine-length victory in an April 17, 2026 maiden special weight race at Keeneland in Lexington, Ky.
The decision, posted to the HIWU resolutions portal on November 9, clarifies that Pletcher admitted to the rule violation and accepted the consequences: Weetamoo’s disqualification, the seven-day suspension, and a US$1,000 fine.
Weetamoo, who is owned by Blue Bird Stables, must forfeit US$50,724 in purse money. The filly worked twice at Belmont Park following the Keeneland race, but has not started since.
Pletcher will begin his suspension on November 10. He currently has entries on November 12 and November 14 at Belmont Park, and November 14 and November 15 at Gulfstream Park. Those entries will not be required to scratch, as entries were taken before the suspension began.
