Belmont Stakes: Status of Charlatan unclear after reported positive test for banned substance

For the first time ever, the Belmont Stakes will be the first Triple Crown race of the year because of schedule shuffling due to the coronavirus pandemic, with it scheduled for June 20 at Belmont Park in New York. A very strong 3-year-old field is shaping up for the 1 1/8-mile race – shortened from 1½ -- but one of the betting favorites, Charlatan, may not be able to participate in the wake of a positive test for a banned substance after winning the Arkansas Derby (which was split into two races this year) earlier in May.

The New York Times and Louisville Courier-Journal have reported that two of Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert's horses tested positive after the May 2 Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park and that Charlatan was one. Stablemate Gamine was the other.

The 3-year-old colt Charlatan is currently +400 on the moneyline odds to win the Belmont Stakes, behind only Tiz the Law and Nadal, both of whom are +250. Baffert, who has won the Belmont three times (last in 2018 with Justify), planned to send both Nadal and Charlatan to New York. The son of Speightstown, Charlatan is unbeaten in three career starts.

According to the reports, both horses tested positive for Lidocaine, a numbing agent with legitimate uses to suture wounds or determine a horse's soundness for competition. It's regulated because it can mask lameness in an unsound horse.

Use of Lidocaine carries a penalty of a 15-to-60-day suspension and a fine of $500 to $1,000 for a first offense. Without mitigating circumstances, a horse would be disqualified and would forfeit its purse. Charlatan earned $300,000 for first place in the Arkansas Derby.

Bernie Hettel, Arkansas' state steward, said that by law he cannot yet divulge which horses tested positive, nor can he share the substance in question. Baffert has requested a second round of testing on his horses' samples, which he is allowed to do, and Hettel said the "split-sample" test can be returned as soon as five days – although the coronavirus may affect that with several laboratories having closed.

Baffert also released a statement:

"The rules of the Arkansas Racing Commission mandate confidentiality concerning any investigation into an alleged rule violation until there is a written decision of the Stewards," Baffert wrote. "I am extremely disappointed that, in this instance, the Commission has not followed its own rules on confidentiality.

"I am hoping for an expedited investigation and look forward to being able to speak soon about any written decision of the Stewards, if and when it becomes necessary and I'm allowed to under the Commission's confidentiality rules."

Including Charlatan, the New York Racing Associate press office has stated there are currently nine probable starters for the Belmont Stakes, including four Grade 1 winners.

Maxfield is one other top contender whose status is unclear but that's simply as he just raced over the weekend and won the Grade 3 Matt Winn Stakes at Churchill Downs while coming off ankle surgery. Most believe Maxfield will run in the Belmont. The colt is currently +600 to win it. 

Which horse wins the Belmont Stakes 2020? And which double-digit long shot is a must-back? Check out Jody Demling's picks for the 2020 Belmont Stakes and find out.