N.Y. commission upholds Forte DQ, Pletcher suspension

The New York State Gaming Commission upheld a 10-day suspension for trainer Todd Pletcher and the disqualification of Forte from his victory in the Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes in September 2022.

The ruling was announced at a commission meeting Monday.

After the race, Forte tested positive for 500 picograms per milliliter of meloxicam, a pain reliever that is not allowed for racehorses. New York stewards demoted Forte from first to last place and imposed Pletcher’s suspension and a $1,000 fine.

Pletcher and Mike Repole, co-owner of Forte, requested a hearing on the matter, which was held in July. The hearing officer issued a report on Sept. 30, recommending that the suspension and disqualification be upheld.

The commission then considered the matter and determined by unanimous vote to sustain the hearing officer’s report and recommendations.

The commission leaves it up to stewards to determine the time and place of the suspension.

Pletcher did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

Forte, who was voted the 2022 champion juvenile male four months before the drug positive was revealed, was retired Oct. 19 to begin a breeding career at Spendthrift Farm. Not counting the Hopeful, the 3-year-old Violence colt won three Grade 1 races, the Breeders’ Futurity and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile in 2022 and the Florida Derby in 2023.

Injuries marred Forte’s 2023 season. A bruised hoof led to his being scratched on race day from the Kentucky Derby, where he was the morning-line and futures favorite. A pesky quarter crack kept him out of the Breeders’ Cup Classic and hastened his retirement.

According to Equibase, Forte finished his racing career with a record of 10: 7-1-0, including the Hopeful victory, and earnings of $3,029,830.