Antonucci Suspension, Fine Reduced by HIWU

Trainer Jena Antonucci had a suspension revoked and a fine reduced for an adverse analytical finding of a metabolite for lidocaine in a post-race sample from a June 2025 race. The Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit's Internal Adjudication Panel amended its ruling made March 30 after HIWU reviewed the record from the IAP proceeding and "identified additional evidence that had not been analyzed during the IAP proceeding and which, upon examination, shed new light on the case." Antonucci had initially been suspended for 15 days and fined $1,000. Her penalty has been reduced to a reprimand, she will be assessed two penalty points, and the fine was lowered to $200. The metabolite positive was discovered in a maiden winner named Bee a Queen, a stakes-placed filly who captured her first win June 14, 2025, at Gulfstream Park. After the positive test result, Antonucci told regulators that one of her racing support staff had been treated by a massage therapist who used a lidocaine cream for pain relief, so she attributed the positive test to contamination. Because the IAP considered any testimony related to contamination as "purely speculative," it issued the suspension and fine to Antonucci. The trainer appealed the final ruling to the Federal Trade Commission and requested a review by an administrative law judge. While the case was under appeal, HIWU reviewed the proceedings and amended the penalties. Bee a Queen remains disqualified from her win in the 2025 race at Gulfstream, and all purses were forfeited.