Page 180 - November 2021

All American Oaks Winner In Limbo
by Gloria Dow
The $439,991 All American Oaks, which was held Sept. 5 at Ruidoso Downs, was won by Apollitical Daizies (Apollitical Jess- Pushing Dazies, Strawflyin Buds), who then tested positive for a drug violation.
Following an Oct. 11 hearing by the New Mexico Board of Stewards, Whistle Stop Cafe (Freighttrain B-Sinuous, Mr Jess Perry) was promoted to first in the All American Oaks after Apollitical Daizies was disquali- fied and listed as unplaced due to a medica- tion violation for the Class 4 Penalty C drug Dexamethasone found in test samples from the race. According to the AQHA, Apollitical Daizies owner Victor Lozano and trainer Martin Orona Sr. appeared at the hearing with their attorney. After the positive test
and as provided in 15.2.6.10 (D) NMAC, split sample rights afforded to the trainer and owner were declined and no evidence was presented to disprove the findings.
Connections of Apollitical Daizies have since filed an appeal, a process that could take as much as a year or longer to deter- mine the winner depending upon how the actions progress.
In speaking with New Mexico Racing Commission Executive Director Ismael “Izzy” Trejo, the status of the 2021 All American Oaks is moving through the steps of this process. At this point, the appeal has been filed. It will then go to an independent hear- ing officer, a procedure that can take some time due to the logistics of getting together
the prosecution, counsel, witnesses, etc. The hearing officer will then give their recom- mendation to the Commission, which can either accept the recommendation, deny the recommendation, or remand it back to be re-heard. After this step and if the appeal has been denied, the connections of Apollitical Daizies have the right to then appeal to District Court.
“It’s a painfully slow process,” said Trejo, who pointed out that Apollitical Daizies
will not be able to race until the matter is resolved. “If a New Mexico horse is subject to a medication violation, that horse is put on the Stewards list until it has been completely adjudicated, and can’t participate in races in any other state.”
178 SPEEDHORSE November 2021
Linda Earley, Speedhorse