That damn pesky Metformin drug just keeps popping up in some successful trainers horses after successful runs. Call me cynical but I\'m guessing these aren\'t just contamination issues. Just a guess.
On an UNRELATED note, there was a story Derby week that didn\'t garner much attention but was an interesting albeit BRIEF read. Paulick Report stated that US Customs and Border Protection seized EIGHT (8) shipments of illegal, performance enhancing drugs designed for horses at the Port of Cincinnati. Who knew Cincy had a \"Port?\" That report and info didn\'t share WHO the shipment was for. Luckily that wasn\'t just pesky Metformin. It was cobra, scorpion and spider venom, steroids, Ritalin and Caffeine Per Paulick Report. Now why aren\'t we hearing WHO it was supposed to be delivered to? ? ? ? https://paulickreport.com/news/the-biz/federal-authorities-seize-performance-enhancing-drugs-bound-for-unnamed-horse-racing-insiders
Anyway, back to the so-called silly Metformin issue, . . . I don\'t think it is that silly after all.
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April 21, 2021. Averly Jane wins at Churchill Downs and tests positive for Metformin.
July 15, 2022. Insanity It Seems wins at Monmouth Park but tests positive for Metformin and Naproxen.
Wesley Ward trained both.
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June 1, 2023. Heaven and Earth wins at Indiana Grand. Tests Positive for Metformin.
Jonathon Wong trained.
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March 16, 2024. Anna\'s Wish runs third in the Cicada Stakes at Aqueduct. Tests positive for Metformin.
George Weaver Trained.
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Michael Lauer had one test positive for Metformin and at the time, Paulick Report stated from May 22, 2023 to September 6, 2023 he was the fifth trainer to have a positive test for Metformin.
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These are just ones off the top of my mind. I know there have been others. And funny how so many people are beating the drum that \"ThIS iS ConTaMiNaTIoN!\" defending these guys! Hilarious.
Metformin is used in diabetics and in some circles they say it’s good for anti aging.
Curious what’s the use for it in horses?
From The following article:
https://paulickreport.com/features/keeping-pace/keeping-pace-some-drug-positives-just-dont-make-sense
There’s a disagreement among experts about whether metformin is a performance-enhancer in horses (or humans). Some trainers insist that it is and there’s a 2015 study that concluded from a very small clinical trial that: “Metformin improved performance and anaerobic alactic contribution during high-intensity exercise, but had no effect on overall anaerobic capacity in healthy subjects.†On the other hand, some vets insist the drug has no performance-enhancing benefits and there’s a 2018 study that concludes: “Metformin does not improve cardiorespiratory fitness and may attenuate any beneficial effect of exercise in patients’†with Type 2 Diabetes.
If metformin enhances performance, and there’s convincing evidence of that in horses, then say so. If no such evidence exists, or if the evidence is murky, then either take metformin off the list of banned substances or factor its effect (or lack of effect) into the punishment meted out when a horse tests positive for the drug. Such a public explanation won’t help Lauer but it might help another “covered person†avoid being tainted with a contamination positive. And it certainly would be consistent with HISA’s repeated promises to be as transparent as possible about the way it’s enforcing doping regulations.
This is from the article on Weaver
\"According to attorney Drew Mollica, the groom who was caring for Anna\'s Wish takes metformin.\"
Is this another \"pissing groom\" story? Seriously? What I want to know is if I take an aspirin or metformin and I\'m a groom how does the pill or whatever get in the horse? To the point it shows up on a test? If I take a drug and stand near you are you going to be \"cross contaminated?\" If you\'re applying for a job I\'ll let you know when not to stand too close to me.
I also saw noted Houston Astro Alex Bregman weighed in on this, a man who avoided punishment for completely ruining postseason baseball, as Weaver trains horses for him? I almost fell over reading Bregman talk about \"cheating?\" Wow! Talk about a daily double!
HP
I get so tired of those arguments. The CEO of HISA has said they have intelligence that metformin is being used to enhance performance. Maybe it does, maybe it doesn\'t. It would be incredibly hard to prove that a drug is performance-enhancing, and who is going to spend the money to do that for every drug on the Banned Substances list? It\'s a drug intended for humans, not for horses.
It has been clear for a long time that (a) metformin is not permitted, and (b) HIWU was catching positives. At that point, it should have become a high priority for trainers to keep the drug away from the horses. I understand that HIWU has been lenient when it can be shown that appropriate steps were taken to avoid accidental exposure. If a trainer has not, it\'s on him or her.
They use metformin \"off label\" for treating horses that are suffering from laminitis. The theory is that it helps the horses metabolism. I have read that it is referred as a \"fit\" pill, it helps the horse keep its conditioning without exercise.
Bloodhorse saya that HISA only has seven positives so far since the rules went into effect.
I have also read that the pill itself has a certain type of coating on it, so contamination just from handling the medication is virtually impossible.
If anyone has any spare time, read the ruling from HISA regarding the Wong positive. It is pretty clear that his excuse of contamination is a big stretch of the imagination.
On another note, it is one of the most prescribed medications on the market, if contamination was possible, wouldn\'t there be more positive tests?
Re: Bregman: In 2022 when his performance dipped, Bregman reached out to Alex Guerrero, the controversial longtime trainer (and nutritionist, massage therapist, spiritual guide, etc.) of NFL great Tom Brady. Why was Guerrero controversial? Because the guy sold nutritional supplements, claiming they had miraculous effects. For example, that concussions could be solved by his products. Eventually, Guerrero was banned from the Patriots sideline and Tom Brady left and played successfully into his mid-40’s. [I wonder what supplements Tom and Patriots mighty, ever-ready running back Julian Edelman took as part of The Program. Just Vitamin C?] Anyway… so Bregman got on The Guerrero Program and then had a great postseason turnaround. And in an 2022 ALCS postgame interview, he credited Guerrero for his performance bounce. Not surprised of Bregman’s sympathies.