A North American Standardbred trainer has been handed a series of stiff financial penalties and industry bans which total $35,000 in fines and a suspension that will run until 2032. The fines and suspensions have come after horses from their stable produced multiple positives tests for Sidenafil, which is sold under the trademarks Viagra and Cialis, among others, and is used to combat erectile dysfunction in humans.
According to entries on the United States Trotting Association’s fines and suspensions list, trainer Virgil Addison, 57, has been handed the fines and suspensions after horses racing from his operation produced a total of four positive tests at Harrah’s Philadelphia for Sidenafil, which is has been categorized as a Class 3 drug in terms of the harness racing realm.
The first of the positives was produced by Pinot Grigio, who raced on Aug. 19. Addison’s fine and suspension for that instance was $5,000 and one year, respectively. The other three positives were produced by Justify (Sept. 15, $10,000 fine, three-year suspension), Pinot Grigio, again (Sept. 29, $10,000 fine, five-year suspension) and Gold Shooter (Oct. 23, $10,000 fine, seven-year suspension).
The suspensions will be served consecutively, hence the total suspension running until 2032.
Addison had appealed the rulings and had requested a stay for each of the instances. The state racing commission overseeing the matter has allowed the request for the appeals, but has denied stays in each instance.