MIKE MITCHELL’S CALIFORNIA RAPSHEET
Californian Mike Mitchell has produced a steady stream of winners – mostly in the claiming ranks – since taking out his trainer’s license in 1974. He also has been cited quite regularly for various rules violations, including numerous medication and medication procedural infractions, by track stewards and the California Horse Racing Board, the latest being a positive test for the Class 3 drug Procaine in Scat Thief, third-place finisher in a race at Del Mar Aug. 3.
Procaine is commonly found in the antibiotic Pencillin G.
The longtime California claiming king consistently ranks among meeting leaders at Santa Anita Park, Hollywood Park and Del Mar, and he usually cracks the top 50 in the national standings by earnings. Horses he trains have won $3.5 million thus far in 2008, and he’s winning at a 24% clip. Mitchell makes semi-frequent forays into graded stakes, as he did in 2007 when the $50,000 claim Sun Boat won Del Mar’s Grade 2 San Diego Handicap. Sun Boat died a month later after contracting laminitis.
Earlier this summer, Thoroughbred Times reported that Mitchell received 10 notifications for anabolic steroid positive tests during the transition period to ban the substance in California. The only trainer with more notifications, according to the article, was Del Mar’s leading trainer, John Sadler, who reportedly received 18 notifications. The article said there was a total of 38 notification letters to all trainers, which means Sadler and Mitchell allegedly accounted for 74% of them.
Those reported anabolic steroid notices do not go on Mitchell’s record at the CHRB or into the database of the Association of Racing Commissioners International, which compiles rulings from around the country. The RCI’s compilation of rulings involving Mitchell are shown below.
One of the more interesting rulings in the list of violations is a $5,000 fine in 2004 against Mitchell for an Acepromazine positive that occurred in 2003. Apparently, then CHRB executive director Roy Wood cut a deal with Mitchell for a fine and no suspension before the case even reached track stewards. According to a 2004 article in Bloodhorse magazine by Michael G. Wagner, Wood bargained for fines and no suspensions with trainers whose horses tested positive in order to save the racing board money spent on attorneys.
According to the article, when stewards conducted a hearing on the matter with Mitchell and asked him to discuss how the case was resolved, he told them: "Talking to some of the (CHRB) investigators, they said, ‘You know they really don’t like to suspend anybody now — if you acknowledge the fact that it happened, and you want to pay the fine.’ … So I went through Roy Wood, talked to him. … I felt I just — you know, a 30-day suspension just would have been devastating to me. It would have been terrible. The fine was great."
Wood is no longer with the CHRB.
A hearing for Mitchell has been scheduled Oct. 11 at Santa Anita on the Procaine charge.
Below is Comprehensive Ruling Report on Mitchell from the RCI.
Rulings Against: MICHAEL RAY MITCHELL
46 total ruling(s) listed.
________________________________________
Ruling Number: LATS090 Date: 3/16/2007
Issued By: California Racing Commission Facility: LOS ANGELES TURF CLUB
Ruling Type: Unknown
Division: Horse Breed: Thoroughbred
Drug(s):
Fine Amount: $ 300 Fine Paid: Not Submitted
Suspension Start: None Suspension End: None
Description: ALTERATION OF SEX OF HORSE
________________________________________
Ruling Number: LATS083 Date: 3/14/2007
Issued By: California Racing Commission Facility: LOS ANGELES TURF CLUB
Ruling Type: Unknown
Division: Horse Breed: Thoroughbred
Drug(s):
Fine Amount: $ 3000 Fine Paid: Not Submitted
Suspension Start: None Suspension End: None
Description: 06HP192/TC02 POSITIVE
________________________________________
Ruling Number: OTTS001 Date: 10/1/2006
Issued By: California Racing Commission Facility: Unknown
Ruling Type: Unknown
Division: Horse Breed: Thoroughbred
Drug(s):
Fine Amount: $ 500 Fine Paid: Not Submitted
Suspension Start: None Suspension End: None
Description: 06DM072/1629 LATE DECLARATION
________________________________________
Ruling Number: OTTS005 Date: 10/1/2006
Issued By: California Racing Commission Facility: Unknown
Ruling Type: Unknown
Division: Horse Breed: Thoroughbred
Drug(s):
Fine Amount: $ 1000 Fine Paid: Not Submitted
Suspension Start: None Suspension End: None
Description: 06DM075/1843 DICIOFENAC
________________________________________
Ruling Number: HRTH104 Date: 6/29/2006
Issued By: California Racing Commission Facility: HOLLYWOOD PARK
Ruling Type: Unknown
Division: Horse Breed: Thoroughbred
Drug(s):
Fine Amount: $ 300 Fine Paid: Not Submitted
Suspension Start: None Suspension End: None
Description: HORSE INELIGIBLE TO START
________________________________________
Ruling Number: *N*10101543 Date: 6/29/2006
Issued By: California Racing Commission Facility: HOLLYWOOD PARK
Ruling Type: Unknown
Division: Unknown Breed: Unknown
Drug(s):
Fine Amount: $ 300 Fine Paid: Not Submitted
Suspension Start: None Suspension End: None
Description: ENTERED AN INELIGIBLE HORSE.
________________________________________
Ruling Number: *N*10092082 Date: 5/5/2005
Issued By: California Racing Commission Facility: SANTA ANITA PARK
Ruling Type: Unknown
Division: Unknown Breed: Unknown
Drug(s):
Fine Amount: $ 300 Fine Paid: Not Submitted
Suspension Start: None Suspension End: None
Description: METHOCRBAMOL - "ALPHABETIC", 2ND RACE, 3-72-05.
________________________________________
Ruling Number: *N*10080229 Date: 11/11/2004
Issued By: California Racing Commission Facility: HOLLYWOOD PARK
Ruling Type: Unknown
Division: Unknown Breed: Unknown
Drug(s):
Fine Amount: $ 100 Fine Paid: Not Submitted
Suspension Start: None Suspension End: None
Description: IMPROPERLY SHOD FOR TURF COURSE.
________________________________________
Ruling Number: *N*10090571 Date: 11/11/2004
Issued By: California Racing Commission Facility: HOLLYWOOD PARK
Ruling Type: Unknown
Division: Unknown Breed: Unknown
Drug(s):
Fine Amount: $ 100 Fine Paid: Not Submitted
Suspension Start: None Suspension End: None
Description: 04SA179/E0681/IMPROPERLY SHOD
________________________________________
Ruling Number: *N*10073956 Date: 3/27/2004
Issued By: California Racing Commission Facility: Unknown
Ruling Type: Unknown
Division: Unknown Breed: Unknown
Drug(s): Promazine Promazine
Fine Amount: $ 5000 Fine Paid: Not Submitted
Suspension Start: None Suspension End: None
Description: PROMAZINE, "SWEET STEPPER," 3RD RACE, 9/7/03.
________________________________________
Ruling Number: *N*10075126 Date: 2/29/2004
Issued By: California Racing Commission Facility: Unknown
Ruling Type: Positive Drug Test
Division: Unknown Breed: Unknown
Drug(s): Prednisolone Prednisolone
Fine Amount: $ 300 Fine Paid: Not Submitted
Suspension Start: None Suspension End: None
Description: METHYPREDNISOLONE, "AREYOUTALKINTOME", 1ST RACE, 12-20-03, WINNER.
________________________________________
Ruling Number: *N*10065309 Date: 7/26/2003
Issued By: California Racing Commission Facility: DEL MAR
Ruling Type: Unknown
Division: Unknown Breed: Unknown
Drug(s):
Fine Amount: $ 100 Fine Paid: Not Submitted
Suspension Start: None Suspension End: None
Description: LATE TO THE RECEIVING BARN.
________________________________________
Ruling Number: *N*10054303 Date: 6/27/2002
Issued By: California Racing Commission Facility: HOLLYWOOD PARK
Ruling Type: Unknown
Division: Unknown Breed: Unknown
Drug(s):
Fine Amount: $ 100 Fine Paid: Not Submitted
Suspension Start: None Suspension End: None
Description: LATE TO RECEIVING BARN.
________________________________________
Ruling Number: *N*10023128 Date: 3/17/2001
Issued By: California Racing Commission Facility: Unknown
Ruling Type: Unknown
Division: Unknown Breed: Unknown
Drug(s):
Fine Amount: $ 200 Fine Paid: Not Submitted
Suspension Start: None Suspension End: None
Description: PENALTY FOR LATE DECLARATION.
________________________________________
Ruling Number: *N*339217 Date: 5/8/1998
Issued By: California Racing Commission Facility: HOLLYWOOD PARK
Ruling Type: Positive Drug Test
Division: Unknown Breed: Unknown
Drug(s): Flunixin
Fine Amount: $ 300 Fine Paid: Not Submitted
Suspension Start: None Suspension End: None
Description: EXCESS FLUNIXIN.
________________________________________
Ruling Number: *N*85390 Date: 6/8/1996
Issued By: California Racing Commission Facility: HOLLYWOOD PARK
Ruling Type: Unknown
Division: Unknown Breed: Unknown
Drug(s):
Fine Amount: $ 100 Fine Paid: Not Submitted
Suspension Start: None Suspension End: None
Description: FAILED TO FILE A DECLARATION AT THE PROPER TIME.
________________________________________
Ruling Number: *N*85389 Date: 10/22/1995
Issued By: California Racing Commission Facility: Unknown
Ruling Type: Unknown
Division: Unknown Breed: Unknown
Drug(s): Methocarbamol Methocarbamol
Fine Amount: $ 750 Fine Paid: Not Submitted
Suspension Start: None Suspension End: None
Description: TWO POSITIVE TESTS FOR METHOCARBAMOL.
________________________________________
________________________________________
Ruling Number: *N*85372 Date: 2/13/1991
Issued By: California Racing Commission Facility: Unknown
Ruling Type: Unknown
Division: Unknown Breed: Unknown
Drug(s):
Fine Amount: $ 100 Fine Paid: Not Submitted
Suspension Start: None Suspension End: None
Description: $100 - EMPLOYMENT OF UNLICENSED PERSON.
________________________________________
Ruling Number: *N*85391 Date: 2/13/1991
Issued By: California Racing Commission Facility: Unknown
Ruling Type: Unknown
Division: Unknown Breed: Unknown
Drug(s):
Fine Amount: $ 200 Fine Paid: Not Submitted
Suspension Start: None Suspension End: None
Description: $200 - EXCESS BUTAZOLIDIN FOUND INSAMPLE TAKEN FROM "SILVER STRAND", 2ND RACE ON 2-1.
________________________________________
Ruling Number: *N*85398 Date: 7/31/1990
Issued By: California Racing Commission Facility: Unknown
Ruling Type: Unknown
Division: Unknown Breed: Unknown
Drug(s):
Fine Amount: $ 200 Fine Paid: Not Submitted
Suspension Start: None Suspension End: None
Description: $200 - FAILURE TO FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS OF AND DISRESPECT TO PADDOCK JUDGE.
________________________________________
Ruling Number: *N*85373 Date: 9/7/1989
Issued By: California Racing Commission Facility: DEL MAR
Ruling Type: Unknown
Division: Unknown Breed: Unknown
Drug(s):
Fine Amount: $ 0 Fine Paid: Not Submitted
Suspension Start: None Suspension End: None
Description: $500 - FOUND EQUIPROXEN IN "BELLE MO", 1ST RACE, 8-30.
________________________________________
Ruling Number: *N*85374 Date: 9/1/1989
Issued By: California Racing Commission Facility: DEL MAR
Ruling Type: Unknown
Division: Unknown Breed: Unknown
Drug(s):
Fine Amount: $ 0 Fine Paid: Not Submitted
Suspension Start: None Suspension End: None
Description: $500 - FOUND EQUIPROXEN IN "SPEEDRATIC", 8TH RACE, 8/17/89.
________________________________________
Ruling Number: *N*85375 Date: 7/15/1989
Issued By: California Racing Commission Facility: HOLLYWOOD PARK
Ruling Type: Unknown
Division: Unknown Breed: Unknown
Drug(s):
Fine Amount: $ 0 Fine Paid: Not Submitted
Suspension Start: None Suspension End: None
Description: $200 - FOUND ROBAXIN IN "SUCESS FORMULA", 3RD RACE, 7-4.
________________________________________
Ruling Number: *N*85376 Date: 1/28/1989
Issued By: California Racing Commission Facility: Unknown
Ruling Type: Positive Drug Test
Division: Unknown Breed: Unknown
Drug(s): Hydrocortisone Hydrocortisone Hydrocortisone
Fine Amount: $ 0 Fine Paid: Not Submitted
Suspension Start: None Suspension End: None
Description: $200 - VIOLATION OF RULE 1844 (MEDICATION-HYDROCORTISONE).
________________________________________
Ruling Number: *N*85399 Date: 8/22/1988
Issued By: California Racing Commission Facility: DEL MAR
Ruling Type: Unknown
Division: Unknown Breed: Unknown
Drug(s):
Fine Amount: $ 0 Fine Paid: Not Submitted
Suspension Start: None Suspension End: None
Description: $100 - EXHIBITING CONDUCT UNBECOMING TO A LICENSEE.
________________________________________
Ruling Number: *N*85377 Date: 7/9/1988
Issued By: California Racing Commission Facility: HOLLYWOOD PARK
Ruling Type: Unknown
Division: Unknown Breed: Unknown
Drug(s):
Fine Amount: $ 0 Fine Paid: Not Submitted
Suspension Start: None Suspension End: None
Description: $100 - EMPLOYMENT OF UNLICENSED PERSON.
________________________________________
Ruling Number: *N*85392 Date: 12/5/1987
Issued By: California Racing Commission Facility: HOLLYWOOD PARK
Ruling Type: Unknown
Division: Unknown Breed: Unknown
Drug(s):
Fine Amount: $ 0 Fine Paid: Not Submitted
Suspension Start: None Suspension End: None
Description: $200 - NEGLIGENCE IN RACE DAY BLEEDER MEDICATION PROCEDURES.
________________________________________
Ruling Number: *N*85378 Date: 11/25/1987
Issued By: California Racing Commission Facility: HOLLYWOOD PARK
Ruling Type: Unknown
Division: Unknown Breed: Unknown
Drug(s):
Fine Amount: $ 0 Fine Paid: Not Submitted
Suspension Start: None Suspension End: None
Description: 00$200 - FAILURE TO DELIVER HORSE TORECEIVING BARN AT PROPER TIME.
________________________________________
Ruling Number: *N*85393 Date: 1/15/1987
Issued By: California Racing Commission Facility: Unknown
Ruling Type: Unknown
Division: Unknown Breed: Unknown
Drug(s):
Fine Amount: $ 0 Fine Paid: Not Submitted
Suspension Start: None Suspension End: None
Description: $300 - VIOLATION OF RULE 1844(C) (AUTHORIZED MEDICATION; MORE THAN ONE APPROVED DRUG SUBSTANCE, SECOND OFFENSE).
________________________________________
Ruling Number: *N*85400 Date: 1/3/1987
Issued By: California Racing Commission Facility: Unknown
Ruling Type: Unknown
Division: Unknown Breed: Unknown
Drug(s):
Fine Amount: $ 0 Fine Paid: Not Submitted
Suspension Start: None Suspension End: None
Description: $200 - VIOLATION OF RULE 1843(D) (MEDICATION IN EXCESS OF PERMITTED LEVEL - BUTAZOLIDIN).
________________________________________
Ruling Number: *N*85379 Date: 10/3/1986
Issued By: California Racing Commission Facility: Unknown
Ruling Type: Unknown
Division: Unknown Breed: Unknown
Drug(s):
Fine Amount: $ 0 Fine Paid: Not Submitted
Suspension Start: None Suspension End: None
Description: $200 - VIOLATION OF RULE 1843(D) (MEDICATION IN EXCESS OF PERMITTED LEVEL - BUTAZOLIDIN).
________________________________________
Ruling Number: *N*85401 Date: 6/11/1986
Issued By: California Racing Commission Facility: HOLLYWOOD PARK
Ruling Type: Unknown
Division: Unknown Breed: Unknown
Drug(s):
Fine Amount: $ 0 Fine Paid: Not Submitted
Suspension Start: None Suspension End: None
Description: $200 - VIOLATION OF RULE 1843(D) (MEDICATION IN EXCESS OF PERMITTED LEVEL - BANAMINE).
________________________________________
Ruling Number: *N*85380 Date: 2/22/1986
Issued By: California Racing Commission Facility: Unknown
Ruling Type: Unknown
Division: Unknown Breed: Unknown
Drug(s):
Fine Amount: $ 0 Fine Paid: Not Submitted
Suspension Start: None Suspension End: None
Description: $200 - MEDICATION IN EXCESS OF PERMITTED LEVELS.
________________________________________
Ruling Number: *N*85381 Date: 3/28/1984
Issued By: California Racing Commission Facility: SANTA ANITA PARK
Ruling Type: Unknown
Division: Unknown Breed: Unknown
Drug(s):
Fine Amount: $ 0 Fine Paid: Not Submitted
Suspension Start: None Suspension End: None
Description: $200 - MEDICATION IN EXCESS OF LIMITS.
________________________________________
Ruling Number: *N*85382 Date: 9/7/1983
Issued By: California Racing Commission Facility: DEL MAR
Ruling Type: Unknown
Division: Unknown Breed: Unknown
Drug(s):
Fine Amount: $ 0 Fine Paid: Not Submitted
Suspension Start: None Suspension End: None
Description: $200 - VIOLATION OF RULE #1845(E) (BLEEDER LIST).
________________________________________
Ruling Number: *N*85383 Date: 7/8/1982
Issued By: California Racing Commission Facility: HOLLYWOOD PARK
Ruling Type: Unknown
Division: Unknown Breed: Unknown
Drug(s):
Fine Amount: $ 0 Fine Paid: Not Submitted
Suspension Start: None Suspension End: None
Description: $100 - FAILURE TO HAVE HORSE, A CONFIRMED BLEEDER, TREATED FOR RACE.
________________________________________
Ruling Number: *N*85402 Date: 6/21/1981
Issued By: California Racing Commission Facility: HOLLYWOOD PARK
Ruling Type: Unknown
Division: Unknown Breed: Unknown
Drug(s):
Fine Amount: $ 0 Fine Paid: Not Submitted
Suspension Start: None Suspension End: None
Description: $300 - NEGLIGENCE IN PROCEDURE OF RACEDAY BLEEDER MEDICATION CONDITIONS.
________________________________________
Ruling Number: *N*85384 Date: 5/29/1981
Issued By: California Racing Commission Facility: HOLLYWOOD PARK
Ruling Type: Unknown
Division: Unknown Breed: Unknown
Drug(s):
Fine Amount: $ 0 Fine Paid: Not Submitted
Suspension Start: None Suspension End: None
Description: $100 - NEGLIGENCE IN PROCEDURE OF RACE DAY BLEEDER MEDICATION CONDITONS.
________________________________________
Ruling Number: *N*85394 Date: 9/14/1980
Issued By: California Racing Commission Facility: DEL MAR
Ruling Type: Unknown
Division: Unknown Breed: Unknown
Drug(s):
Fine Amount: $ 0 Fine Paid: Not Submitted
Suspension Start: None Suspension End: None
Description: $50 - FAILURE TO BE PRESENT AT PADDOCK TO SUPERVISE SADDLINGOF HIS HORSE.
________________________________________
Ruling Number: *N*85385 Date: 5/23/1980
Issued By: California Racing Commission Facility: HOLLYWOOD PARK
Ruling Type: Unknown
Division: Unknown Breed: Unknown
Drug(s):
Fine Amount: $ 0 Fine Paid: Not Submitted
Suspension Start: None Suspension End: None
Description: $300 - NEGLIGENCE IN PROCEDURE FOR RACE DAY BLEEDERMEDICATION CONDITIONS.
________________________________________
Ruling Number: *N*85395 Date: 2/17/1979
Issued By: California Racing Commission Facility: SANTA ANITA PARK
Ruling Type: Unknown
Division: Unknown Breed: Unknown
Drug(s):
Fine Amount: $ 0 Fine Paid: Not Submitted
Suspension Start: None Suspension End: None
Description: $300 - NEGLIGENCE IN PROCEDURE OF RACE-DAY BLEEDER MEDICATIONCONDITIONS.
________________________________________
Ruling Number: *N*85386 Date: 1/25/1979
Issued By: California Racing Commission Facility: SANTA ANITA PARK
Ruling Type: Unknown
Division: Unknown Breed: Unknown
Drug(s):
Fine Amount: $ 0 Fine Paid: Not Submitted
Suspension Start: None Suspension End: None
Description: $100 - NEGLIGENCE IN PROCEDURE OF RACE-DAY BLEEDERMEDICATION.
________________________________________
Ruling Number: *N*85403 Date: 5/26/1978
Issued By: California Racing Commission Facility: HOLLYWOOD PARK
Ruling Type: Unknown
Division: Unknown Breed: Unknown
Drug(s):
Fine Amount: $ 0 Fine Paid: Not Submitted
Suspension Start: None Suspension End: None
Description: $100 - FAILURE TO PROPERLY REGISTER A HEEL NERVED HORSE.
________________________________________
Ruling Number: *N*85387 Date: 1/2/1978
Issued By: California Racing Commission Facility: SANTA ANITA PARK
Ruling Type: Unknown
Division: Unknown Breed: Unknown
Drug(s):
Fine Amount: $ 0 Fine Paid: Not Submitted
Suspension Start: None Suspension End: None
Description: $150 - VIOLATION OF RULE 1895 (UNLICENSED GROOM IN RECEIVINGBARN).
________________________________________
Ruling Number: *N*85388 Date: 12/10/1975
Issued By: California Racing Commission Facility: BAY MEADOWS
Ruling Type: Unknown
Division: Unknown Breed: Unknown
Drug(s):
Fine Amount: $ 0 Fine Paid: Not Submitted
Suspension Start: None Suspension End: None
Description: $50.00 FOR VIOLATION OF CHRB RULE 1629 (PENALTY FOR LATEDECLARATION).
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Tags: acepromazine, anabolic steroids, association of racing commissioners international, California Horse Racing Board, california racing, CHRB, Del Mar, drugs in racing, Hollywood Park, Horse Racing, john sadler, Medication, michael ray mitchell, michael wagner, mike mitchell, Paulick Report, procaine, Ray Paulick, RCI, roy wood, santa anita, scat thief, sun boat, thoroughbred trainer
September 19th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
So who’s going to clean up this sport?
September 19th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
Anyone with a TC02 positive is willing to push the envelope harder than Chuck Yeager. Those violations are just what they caught him at–guaranteed he tried lots more.
September 19th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
If you are an owner and he trains your horse you are as dirty as he is
September 19th, 2008 at 7:09 pm
Can any drug make a horse run faster than it’s innate capability? Doubtful.
Can a drug relieve a horse of pain so that it will run although painful and sore? Definitely yes.
Is there anything wrong in using something to make a horse try to run faster than it’s innate capability. I guess it all depends on what is used.
Ergo, medicine is bad but flogging is acceptable !!
I’ve not seen Mitchell or any other trainer charged with permitting his horse to be flogged.
What is wrong with the system and concentration on hard-to-detect doping, but nothing except cheap talk about banning flogging.
September 20th, 2008 at 6:00 am
Aw, c’mon Ray, that’s only about $15,000 in fines since 1974 - about $440 a year. Petty cash for a trainer with those kinds of results. With penalties like that, why bother to stop when you can clearly dope your horses any way you like and still come out way, way ahead? Who CARES about the horse, anyway? They’re clearly disposable, and plenty more where these came from….
Yup, the sport surely is in trouble.
Gina Rarick
http://www.gallopfrance.com
September 21st, 2008 at 1:00 pm
I’m at the point where I don’t even know why we’re bothering to discuss the “challenges” of this industry! It’s all pathetically laughable…..there is NO ONE WITH THE POWER OR WILL to do what NEEDS TO BE DONE. Thorougbhred racing in North America will continue to dig it’s own grave. The farms of KY will turn into a source of bloodstock for the rest of the racing world. Eventually the majority of the Tbrds bred in the US will be shipped to Asia, Middle East, Europe, etc…. GOD HELP THOSE POOR FORSAKEN BEASTS!!!!
The US regulators won’t even have to worry about the issue of horse slaughter, as most of the “meat” will all ready be close to it’s destination!! How’s that for a “solution”?
September 21st, 2008 at 8:27 pm
It shows up in unlikely places: the sublime ignorance of the world exhibited by some Americans.