(Warrior’s Charge / Photos by Holly M. Smith)

Earlier this week, it was reported that the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission Stewards had suspended and fined trainer Brad Cox for an overage of phenylbutazone in  Warrior’s Charge that occured in the G1 Stephen Foster Stakes at Churchill Downs last July.

According to the official ruling, Cox was suspended for a period of 10 days and fined a sum of $500 for the positive test result, that was confirmed in two samples.

On Wednesday, Churchill Downs issued a statement that said it is “reviewing the facts involved” and that it “will make further comment and take further action when we are prepared to do so.”

The test results found that Warrior’s Charge, who finished second in the Stephen Foster, test positive for 2.51 micrograms per milliliter of phenylbutazone. Also known as “bute,” it is a regulated non-steroidal anti-inflammatory that is commonly administered to racehorses.

Kentucky rules allow for 0.3 micrograms per milliliter of bute on raceday, which means Warrior’s Charge was flagged for an amount considerably higher than that allowed.

In a statement by Cox, and first reported by “Horseracingnation.com,” the Eclipse Award-winning trainer said he was “shocked” by the results “due to the fact this medication was administered within the strict guidelines that are set in place.”

Churchill Downs, which has taken a very staunch position in regards to positive tests over the past year and since the disqualification of 2021 Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit for a positive test result, is now taking the matter under advisement and consideration.

Stay tuned.

Churchill Downs’ Official Statement:
Churchill Downs became aware of the failed drug test involving Warrior’s Charge in the 2021 Stephen Foster Stakes with the release of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission’s Stewards Ruling 22-0069 issued on May 15, 2022. We take medication overages and drug violations extremely seriously and believe there is no acceptable excuse for not following regulations that are in place in the interest of safety for the horses and protect the integrity of our sport. We are in the processes of reviewing the facts involved in this matter and will make further comment and take further action when we are prepared to do so.