Emmanuel was scratched from Saturday’s Grade 1, $1 million Belmont Derby because it was determined he had received three doses of an non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) within seven days of the race, a violation of state rules, according to Dr. Scott Palmer, equine medical director of the New York State Gaming Commission. The scratch resulted in the Gaming Commission fining trainer Todd Pletcher $1,000 for “failing to follow procedures listed in the horsemen’s conditions signed prior to the running of the race,” according to a ruling put out Sunday. In $1 million races, horsemen are given a multiple-page information sheet of protocols in place for said race. One of the bullet points specifically states that “one clinical dose of either flunixin (e.g., Banamine), ketoprofen (e.g., Orudis) or phenylbutazone (e.g., Butazolidin) is permitted to be administered in a single intravenous injection until 48 hours before the scheduled post time of the race. No other NSAID may be administered in the 7-day period prior to the race." Horsemen must sign a document that says they read or intend to read the information sheet, Palmer said. :: DRF Bets members get FREE DRF Past Performances - Formulator or Classic. Join now! Those protocols basically restate Gaming Commission rule 4042.3 (d) that was changed to cover all races in New York - not just $1 million races - in December 2020. According to Palmer, medical records supplied by Pletcher and his veterinarians showed that Emmanuel received a shot of Butazolidin on July 3, 4, and 7. The state requested medical records from Pletcher after an out-of-competition test taken on July 4 showed the presence of dexamethasone, a corticosteroid that can treat inflammation, in Emmanuel’s system. It was determined that on July 4, Emmanuel had received 20ccs of naquasone, which contains dexamethasone, according to Palmer. “It’s not a full dose of dexamethasone,” Palmer said. Naquasone is permitted to be given five days out from a race. In this case, it was given six. “If a horse needs that much medication the week before the race, maybe he shouldn’t run that week,” Palmer said. Pletcher said the wording of the rule change that was announced in December 2020 was unclear. “I didn’t think the rule was written clearly and I don’t think people on our team had a clear understanding of the intention of the rule and that includes our veterinary team,” Pletcher said. “I take full responsibility, it’s my job to know the rules.” Palmer confirmed that he told Pletcher the horse would not have tested positive in any sample taken after the race. “I’m disappointed that the horse was scratched because the horse did not have anything in his system that would have tested positive,” Pletcher said. “I should have been fined and he should have been allowed to run. I’m disappointed in that for the owners and for the horse.” The scratch of Emmanuel took a primary speed horse out of the Belmont Derby. The race was won by the front-running Classic Causeway. Pletcher said Emmanuel would train up to the Saratoga Derby on Aug. 6.