Trainer Grove Suspended for Class I Violation

Stewards at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races have suspended trainer Chris Grove for six months and fined him $5,000 for a major drug violation in a July race.

The stewards handed out the penalty after Bubba de France tested positive for nikethamide following a race he won July 28, 2012 at Charles Town. Nikethamide, trade name Coramine, is a stimulant listed as a Class I drug on the Association of Racing Commissioners International's "Uniform Classification of Guidelines for Foreign Substances."

Class I substances call for the most severe penalties as they are stimulants or depressants with the highest potential to affect racing performance and have no known generally accepted use in a race horse. Charles Town state steward Danny Wright said it is the first time he has seen a Class I violation in his 13 years.