Trainer Ray Handal is suspended 22 days for dexamethasone

Trainer Ray Handal was suspended for 22 days by the Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit after two dexamethasone positives.

He was suspended for seven days after the controlled substance was detected in Valtellina after an optional-claiming allowance race at Aqueduct on April 10 and 15 days for the substance in the same horse after an optional-claiming allowance in the Belmont at the Big A meet on May 16. The Complexity filly won both races, though she was disqualified from both.

Dexamethasone also was found in Makeyourmoment, a 4-year-old gelding trained by Handal. The violation was treated as one violation with Valtellina's on April 10, according to the HIWU website. The finding was after Makeyourmoment finished fifth in a maiden claiming race at Belmont, and he was disqualified.

The suspensions run consecutively, beginning Thursday.

Handal admitted to the violations. He said a groom had mistakenly applied a topical that included the substance, according to media reports.

Dexamethasone is a corticosteroid that is allowed in horses but requires a stand-down period. It is used in horses to treat allergic reactions such as respiratory allergies, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,  hives and inflammatory diseases.