(a) Samples must be collected from racehorses to test for the presence of prohibited substances.
(b) Either the owner, trainer, or a representative of the owner or the trainer must be present during the collection of the horse’s blood and urine samples. The Commission shall maintain documents and records of the chain of custody of the blood and urine samples from the time they are collected, during their transportation, testing, and return to the Commission.
(c) All sample containers must be identified and sealed against tampering upon collection. All samples must be identified with unique sample identifying numbers. When the identity of the horse is required, the steward or the presiding judge shall match the sample identifying number to the previously locked documentation of collected samples.
(d) When testing detects and confirms the presence of a prohibited drug or other substance, the laboratory shall immediately inform the Commission’s director of horse racing and its counsel. Immediately thereafter, the director of horse racing shall inform the steward or presiding judge at the racetrack where the horse’s sample originated, along with the other appropriate Commission personnel.
(e) The Commission shall conduct an investigation into the matter after the horse and its trainer are identified by the steward or presiding judge.
(f) After identification, investigation into the circumstances, including interviews with all involved parties begins, the trainer must be given the option of having a split sample of the original tested at an approved laboratory of the trainer’s choice at the trainer’s expense. After the investigation is completed and all other information is gathered and studied, and after notice of opportunity for an adjudicatory hearing under section 225, if the findings of the investigation warrants, the Commission shall take appropriate action against the trainer under section 224.
(g) If the trainer does not agree with the penalty given, the trainer may appeal the penalty pursuant to regulations establishing an appeals process under section 226. Upon receipt of the hearing officer’s completed report, the Commission shall issue a decision.