Trainer Carlos Acosta Jr. has been suspended for four years and fined $25,000 by the Horse Racing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU), which enforces the Anti-Doping and Medication Control Program (ADMC) under the Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Administration (HISA). Arbitration documents on HIWU’s website reveal that two of Acosta’s horses underwent out-of-competition testing on April 22, 2025, while stabled at a private ranch near Albuquerque, New Mexico. Acosta denied inspection officials access to the ranch and instead arranged for the horses to be moved to Albuquerque Downs for testing.
Hair and blood samples from both horses tested positive for the banned substance albuterol, which under ADMC rules is only allowed if prescribed by a licensed veterinarian and recorded in the HISA Veterinary Records Portal within 24 hours of treatment. Acosta and the horses’ owner, Karina Gonzalez, initially claimed that veterinarian Dr. Lane Dixon prescribed albuterol to treat exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage. However, their only evidence was a PDF of an email allegedly from Dr. Dixon, with no further proof to verify its authenticity.
The arbitrator noted that Acosta failed to provide statements or testimony from Dr. Dixon confirming the emails were genuine. Gonzalez also altered her testimony, later suggesting the horse’s sample was contaminated during testing after HIWU requested official billing records to confirm the prescription.
Ultimately, the arbitrator found Acosta guilty of two ADMC violations related to prohibited substances and denied any reduction in penalties. The punishment includes a two-year suspension per positive test, effective until December 29, 2029, alongside a total fine of $25,000 ($12,500 for each violation). According to Equibase, Acosta began his training career in 2013, achieving 62 wins from 439 starters.
The full arbitration document is available online.
Fan Take: This ruling underscores the importance of transparency and strict adherence to medication rules in horse racing. For fans, it signals a stronger commitment to fair competition and the welfare of the horses, which is crucial for maintaining trust and integrity in the sport.
