Vitali Suspended for One Year by Penn. Racing Commission

About time.

https://paulickreport.com/news/the-biz/vitali-suspended-one-year-after-meth-positive-in-pennsylvania-appeal-ongoing/

This is the bullsh$ that will contribute to the demise of TB racing if no authority makes it crystal clear that, as a trainer, you are responsible for any methamphetamine or other banned substances that are detected in your horse, and you will be held accountable for it.

If you choose to blame your employees, that you apparently believe are doing so much meth that they can contaminate a horse, then you, as a trainer, better review your hiring practices and perhaps consider offering better wages, tout suite. Pay more attention when hiring people and know the people that are working for you. Yes, this is another part of your difficult job, but it’s rather important isn’t it?

These excuses are getting very, very, old. For god’s sake take responsibility for the horses in your care and clean up your act.

The buck stops with the trainer. It can be done. It’s not as impossible to race a horse without prohibited drugs in its system as these guys are trying to get people to believe. Most trainers do not have these problems. :angry:

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Vitali is “a hot button name” because he’s an exceedingly dirty trainer who should never be allowed around equines. His reputation didn’t materialize out of the blue.
He’s a disgusting POS who needs to be banned everywhere.

I am thinking it likely was environmental, but because of his (self-inflicted) record he will not get a benefit of a doubt.