The Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit alleges that Tamara tested positive for the controlled medication methocarbamol after her victory in the Oct. 4 Chilingworth Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita Park, a finding that jeopardizes that win.
As a controlled substance, methocarbamol, a muscle relaxant, is allowed to be used in the racing environment but its use is highly regulated by Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority rules. While HIWU's posting of the allegation of the post-race finding of methocarbamol (or its metabolites or markers) is just an opening step in its process, methocarbamol findings typically result in a disqualification of the horse from the race and sanctions for the trainer—a fine, penalty points, and sometimes a suspension. Tamara is conditioned by Richard Mandella.
A homebred for Spendthrift Farm, Tamara posted a 3 3/4-length victory in the Chillingworth, which to date has been her lone start this season.
While the case is in its opening stages, Mandella said Dec. 10 that he does not plan to contest the finding. The finding frustrated Mandella, who said he followed the withdrawal time guidance in that treatment.
"I accept responsibility and I apologize to the Spendthrift owners and management," said the Racing Hall of Fame conditioner. "I'm sorry, so sorry, to cause embarrassment."
Ahead of the race Tamara, according to Mandella, was being treated for soreness in her back with Robaxin-V, the licensed name of methocarbamol.
"We treated her for three days with Robaxin pills. We stopped on the 11th day before the race, which we have been advised that that was safe and have done it for years.
"However, we have a positive so I take responsibility. There's not much we can do about it. I feel terrible to cause embarrassment to the owners of Spendthrift, the management, and the industry."
According to its search engine, HIWU has never previously disqualified a Mandella-trained horse for a medication violation. Also, a search of regulatory records available (back to 2007) at OwnerView.com found some fines of the trainer for racing medication violations but did not find a single instance of a violation serious enough that a state regulator opted to disqualify a horse.
After HIWU, the enforcement arm of HISA, posts allegations under its "Pending ADMC Violations" page on its website, it posts outcomes under the "Resolutions" page of its "Cases" tab. This case currently falls under the "Pending ADMC Violations."
Should Tamara be disqualified from victory in the Chillingworth, runner-up Silent Law would be in line for her first graded stakes win. Silent Law, a daughter of Tiz the Law , is campaigned by CSLR Racing Partners and is trained by Bob Baffert.
After the Chillingworth, Tamara was pointed to the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1) but was scratched the day of the race by track veterinarians. She remains on the veterinarian's list of horses ineligible to start. She is noted as being placed on the list due to injury.
A 4-year-old daughter of Bolt d'Oro , out of Racing Hall of Famer Beholder, by Henny Hughes, Tamara captured the Del Mar Debutante Stakes (G1) as a juvenile.
