Arbitrator would have given a less severe penalty...

[Grandstand Handicapper]

https://www.drf.com/news/meraz-suspended-two-years-hisa-violation-arbitrator-questions-severity-penalty

Interesting...fro m the article in DRF.....

“If trainer Meraz did not have the substantial and difficult burden of proving the source of the cobalt causing First Kitten’s blood plasma concentration to exceed the threshold by balance of probability, the arbitrator likely would have concluded he had no significant fault or negligence for [the violation],” Mitten wrote.

But, at the same time....."Although Mitten agreed with experts that it was highly unlikely that the concentration found in First Kitten’s post-race test could have occurred through contaminants or the use of supplements, he wrote that the two-year mandatory suspension was excessive. Mitten added that he would have opted for a three-month suspension if the two-year penalty was not required."

[G]

https://www.drf.com/news/meraz-suspended-two-years-hisa-violation-arbitrator-questions-severity-penalty

Interesting...fro m the article in DRF.....

“If trainer Meraz did not have the substantial and difficult burden of proving the source of the cobalt causing First Kitten’s blood plasma concentration to exceed the threshold by balance of probability, the arbitrator likely would have concluded he had no significant fault or negligence for [the violation],” Mitten wrote.

But, at the same time....."Although Mitten agreed with experts that it was highly unlikely that the concentration found in First Kitten’s post-race test could have occurred through contaminants or the use of supplements, he wrote that the two-year mandatory suspension was excessive. Mitten added that he would have opted for a three-month suspension if the two-year penalty was not required."

very interesting