O'Neill has Suspension Reduced to 45 Days

How the worm turns. Trainer Doug O'Neill, who faced a suspension of 180 days for racing a horse in his care with an elevated level of total carbon dioxide, has had the suspension reduced to 45 days and a $15,000 fee. The California Horse Racing Board will decide when the suspension will begin but no sooner than July 1, 2012, giving O'Neill plenty of time to appeal.

In addition to removing 135 days from the suspension, the state hearing officer in charge of the case, noted that O'Neill was not guilty of "milk shaking" the horse, that is giving the horse an illegal concoction of baking soda and other illegal substances shortly before it raced. The hearing officer did not find any suspicious betting patterns in the race to support the use of illegal substances.

"I'm gratified that the CHRB found that I did not 'milkshake' a horse or engage in any intentional conduct that would result in an elevated TC02 level," O'Neill said in response to the decision. "I plan on examining and reviewing all of my options following the Belmont Stakes, but right now I plan on staying focused on preparing for and winning the Triple Crown.”