It's a Bird tests positive for naproxen
It's a Bird tested positive for naproxen following his win in the Grade 2, $500,000 Oaklawn Handicap on April 4, according to an official with the Arkansas Racing Commission. No ruling has been issued in the case, which could be heard before the commission at its next meeting June 9.
Naproxen, a nonsteriodal anti-inflammatory sometimes sold under the brand name Aleve, is a Class 4 medication violation. Possible penalties are loss of purse, fine, and/or suspension. It's a Bird, one of the top handicap horses in the nation, won the Grade 3, $400,000 Lone Star Park Handicap on Monday and earlier this year upset Delightful Kiss in the $1 million Sunshine Millions Classic at Gulfstream Park.
Byron Freeland, an attorney representing the commission, on Wednesday morning was contacting the connections of It's a Bird to set up a hearing, either before the stewards or the commission. Because there is currently no racing at Oaklawn Park, which wrapped up its meet in April, the stewards are not based in Arkansas.
"We're trying to get everyone lined up to get a stewards' hearing, and if we can't do that, we'll go to the commission June 9," said Freeland.
Michael Meuser, an attorney representing both Edmund Gann, who owns It's a Bird, and Marty Wolfson, who trains the horse, said he has made contact with Freeland and wanted to go over the documents in the case before making a comment.
"I'm awaiting the information from the commission on the claimed positive," he said Wednesday.
According to commission officials, a split sample test in the case also came back positive.
