Flagstaff DQ'd from '20 Santa Anita Sprint Championship

Flagstaff, who tested positive for the banned medication clodronic acid following a second-place finish in last September's Santa Anita Sprint Championship (G2), has been disqualified per a steward's ruling issued on Saturday. 

As a result of the decision, purse monies won by Flagstaff's connections will be redistributed: owners Lane's End Racing or Hronis Racing must forfeit $40,000; trainer John Sadler $3,690; and jockey Victor Espinoza $1,855.

Clodronic acid, which is a bisphosphonate otherwise known as Osphos, is not currently classified under California regulations and is therefore considered a Class 1 violation. However, clodronic acid is going through the regulatory pipeline to become a less-severe Class 3 violation in California. 

Sadler's attorney, Darrell Vienna, has contended Flagstaff was administered clodronic acid in 2019, while as a 6-year-old when bisphosphonate's were legal and that scientific evidence shows it can be detectable in a horse's system for months or even years, leading to the positive test. 

Last June, Sadler was placed on a year's probation by the California Horse Racing Board for a trio of positives dating to 2019. The probation period ends on June 28, according to a report in the Thoroughbred Daily News. Sadler faces a possible fine and suspension for the Flagstaff violation.