Report: Ellis hopes to keep stable together amid suspension

Trainer Ron Ellis’ lawyers proposed a settlement this week to drop his California Horse Racing Board-mandated suspension from 60 days to 59 in the wake of a decision going back to a drug test for the 2016 Breeders’ Cup, The Blood-Horse reports.

Per the report, Ellis’ legal team is instead seeking a 59-day suspension in exchange for a year of probation. The full 60 days would force disbandment of his stable.

“The target is to not to throw 15 innocent, hard-working people out of jobs,” attorney Steve Schwartz told The Blood-Horse. “Many of them live on the grounds, so if they don't have a job, they won't have a place to live.

“…Frankly I'm hopeful that they'll be some sympathetic ears (at the CHRB), to give up one day for one year of probation, to keep these people working.”

The decision to suspend Ellis and fine him $10,000 came down Sunday. It related to one of his former horses, Masochistic, who was disqualified from a second-place finish after a post-race drug violation. An anabolic steroid administered to Masochistic had trouble clearing the horse’s blood before the race, resulting in what Ellis called an “unfortunate event” after the disqualification was announced last year.

The suspension is due to run from Jan. 1 to March 1. Masochistic is now trained by Bob Baffert.

Ellis has saddled 1,138 winners fro 5,805 starters, according to Equibase. Masochistic was one of his nine Grade 1 winners.