Marquee Barbadian trainer Saffie Joseph Jr says he is appealing a US$500 fine and a 15-day suspension, imposed by the Pennsylvania Horse Racing Commission, after his entrant Artie’s Princess tested positive for the pain reliever, gabapentin, following her victory in last September’s $400 600 Presque Isle Downs Masters Stakes.The 34-year-old said he was willing to own up to a mistake if he had made one but contended he had “never heard of the medication” before last October, when he was informed of the positive test.According to media reports, PHRC rules prohibit even the faintest trace of gabapentin and if the ruling stands, it will also result in the disqualification of Artie’s Princess.“If I do wrong, I can accept responsibility,” Horse Racing Nation quoted Joseph as saying in an interview.“I have no problem accepting responsibility when mistakes are made. It’s not the first positive I’ve had. I know when a positive is our mistake, and I know when it’s not our mistake. In this case it’s not our mistake.”
