The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission handed down a suspension and $500 fine for trainer Brian Lynch on Nov. 20, as a result of a Class B medication violation in his trainee Into A Hot Spot on May 16 at Churchill Downs. The 4-year-old gelding was found to have the drug gabapentin in his system, a human anti-convulsant also used to treat neuropathic pain.
Lynch’s suspension was originally 30 days, but he will serve 15 days from Dec. 15-29 with the other 15 days stayed, provided he has no additional positive tests for one year.
The purse money from the $20,000 maiden claiming race has been ordered redistributed. Into A Hot Spot was claimed from his May 16 victory by trainer Steve Asmussen, and trainer Jeff Mullins claimed the gelding for $30,000 in his next start on June 22 at Churchill. Into A Hot Spot has not found the winner’s circle in five starts since his May 16 effort.
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