Forte, a former kentucky Derby favorite who scratched just hours before Saturday's race at Churchill Downs, apparently failed a drug test in September.
While that was not the cause of his scratch, it has not yet been ruled before New York regulators, ,
As per reports, Forte failed the drug test due to a substance used to relieve pain and reduce inflammation. The test came shortly after she won the Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga Springs in New York in September. Forte continued to compete, however, and won his next four races ahead of the Kentucky Derby.
The horse was the favorite to win at Churchill Downs, but was.
According to reports, people from Fort's camp again tried to delay the proceedings on Tuesday. New York racing officials are set to hear from Forte's trainer, Hall of Famer Todd Fletcher, on wednesday.
A spokeswoman for the New York State Gaming Commission said, “The case likely would have been adjourned months ago but for the repeated procedural delays by Trainor's attorney,” according to The New York Times.
The horse's owners are Mike Repole and Vincent Viola. Both of them, along with Fletcher, did not respond to The New York Times' requests for comment.
The reports are just the latest happenings surrounding this year's iconic race in Louisville. Seven horses had died in the race, including two on Saturday. The parents Pride and Chasing Artie had died just days before the race, although investigators are not sure why. , and other horses that had been in contact with his two horses were scratched from all casts as a precaution.
Mage, who went off at 15-1 odds to win in 2:01.57.