The Canterbury Park board of stewards has immediately suspended Jose Silva Jr., the track’s top trainer in 2025, following a Notice of Violation issued by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) concerning multiple rule breaches. The violations stem from an attempted search of an RV located on the track’s backside, which investigators believed belonged to Silva.
According to HISA’s enforcement unit, the Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit (HIWU), a suspected breach of anti-doping and controlled medication regulations prompted an investigation that included a search of Silva’s barn. A credible witness reported to investigators that the RV contained pitcher plant extract, known as “P Block,” a banned substance under HISA rules.
The Notice of Violation outlined that HISA personnel have the right to access premises and property related to the care or training of covered horses. Despite repeated attempts to reach Silva for access to the RV, he failed to appear and later denied investigators entry, even though the RV was on Canterbury Park grounds. Contradictory statements from Silva about his whereabouts further complicated the investigation, with witnesses placing him near the stable gates at times he claimed to be elsewhere.
Silva explicitly refused consent for the RV search in a message to investigators, citing his absence from town and the lack of a search warrant or subpoena. Additionally, a witness said Silva wanted to leave the track once he learned about the search, conflicting with other reported statements.
Besides HISA regulations, Silva may also be subject to Minnesota Racing Commission rules requiring licensees’ cooperation with inspections and searches on association grounds. So far, no official authorization for the RV search by the commission or stewards has been given.
HISA alleges Silva breached several specific rules related to ongoing investigations and has warned that if these violations are confirmed, they could pursue a lifetime ban. Silva has until September 18 to respond in writing.
Pending a HISA hearing, the Minnesota Racing Commission has upheld the suspension and barred Silva from accessing racetrack grounds under its jurisdiction. As a result, four of his horses entered at Prairie Meadows in Iowa on September 13 were withdrawn.
Silva, currently second in the Canterbury Park trainer standings after securing 41 wins from 138 starts this meet, also led at Arizona’s Turf Paradise with 64 wins in 208 starts during the 2025-’26 meet. Originating from near Agua Caliente in Tijuana, Mexico, Silva earned his trainer’s license in 2018 and has amassed 445 career wins over 1,865 starts. He did not respond to requests for comment.
This article was first published by Paulick Report on September 13, 2026.
Fan Take: This development is crucial for horse racing enthusiasts because it underscores the sport’s ongoing battle with integrity and doping issues, which are vital to maintaining fair competition. The outcome of Silva’s case could serve as a deterrent against rule violations and strengthen efforts to safeguard the health and fairness of the sport moving forward.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
