‘Actions Detrimental’: Canterbury Park Trainer Nevada Litfin Summarily Suspended

The Minnesota Racing Commission's board of stewards at Canterbury Park on Aug. 16 summarily suspended trainer Nevada Litfin for what it said were “actions detrimental to the integrity of racing.”

According to a ruling posted on the commission's website, Ltifin “was observed by commission security engaging in acts detrimental to the integrity of racing.”

The ruling cited a number of Minnesota Racing Commission rules in conjunction with the summary suspension, including:

– 7897.0100 (Prohibited Acts) Subp. 7.  Cooperation with Security Officers.

– 7897.0100 (Prohibited Acts) Subp. 17 A. Hypodermic equipment and injectable substances prohibited.

– 7897.0100 (Prohibited Acts) Subp. 20. Possession, administration to, or presence in a horse of a prohibited drug, substance, medication or metabolites, biological product, growth hormone, hormone releasing, venom, or synthetic analog of venom.

The ruling did not indicate the date of a hearing. The ruling states Litfin is denied privileges of the grounds of all racetracks under the jurisdiction of the Minnesota Racing Commission.

Litfin had already surpassed his best year by earnings and his 21 victories from 139 starts  in 2023 equalled his highest number of wins. He is tied for sixth by wins in the Canterbury Park trainer standings.

Horses Litfin had entered prior to the summary suspension were listed as stewards scratches.

Several horses previously trained by Litfin have been entered in the name of Briannah McDaniel, who trains Quarter Horses and Thoroughbreds. She has started eight Thoroughbreds during the Canterbury meet and has no wins. She has one win from 12 Quarter Horse starts at the Minnesota track.

On Thursday, the Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit posted a notice on their website stating a provisional suspension of Litfin for alleged violation of two HISA rules, “substances prohibited during the race period” and “possession of a hypodermic needle/syringe.”