Belmont Park stewards on June 17 suspended owner-trainer Jeffrey Englehart for 10 days and fined him $1,000 after Profusion had a Phenylbutazone medication violation when competing in the fourth race April 8 at Aqueduct Racetrack.
Robert Photos' Profusion ran fifth of six as the favorite in the $14,000 claiming race and is now disqualified. He had been set to earn $1,120 for his fifth-place finish. The horse subsequently won a $5,000 claiming race June 8 at Finger Lakes.
Englehart waived his right to appeal, according to the ruling posted on the New York State Gaming Commission website. The ruling indicates he is to serve his suspension June 22-July 1.
As co-owner and trainer, Englehart has an existing entry at Finger Lakes on the first scheduled day of the suspension in Wednesday's eighth race with The Met.
Phenylbutazone, typically referred to as Bute, is an analgesic and anti-inflammatory commonly used in equines. The Association of Racing Commissioners International's Uniform Classification Guidelines for Foreign Substances and Recommended Penalties Model Rule lists Phenylbutazone as a Class 4, Penalty C drug. Medications in Classes 1,2, and 3 are deemed to have a greater impact on performance.
Engelhardt was previously issued an identical suspension and fine in March 2021 for another phenylbutazone positive at Aqueduct in January of that year.
A trainer since 2013, Engelhardt has won 38 of 168 races this year through June 17 while running primarily in the northeast.
