I'll Have Another trainer Doug O'Neill may get fed a dose of reality following the race for the Triple Crown, as he faces suspension from the sport by the California Horse Racing Board.
The charge, which is unrelated to last weekend's Kentucky Derby Winner, stems from the practice of "milkshaking" horses in the Golden State, a performance-enhancing and fatigue-reducing tactic that elevates levels of carbon dioxide in the body through soda, sugar and electrolytes.
No word on whether this is a tasty treat for ponies.
O'Neill, in Baltimore this week working with I'll Have Another, responded to the claims today, stating: "I swear on my kids' eyes I never milkshaked a horse," O'Neill said.
It's O'Neill's fourth carbon dioxide charge in his 25-year career.
Because it comes during one of the most important times in his professional career, and is likely to be a long and drawn-out litigation process, O'Neill expects to be entirely focused on working toward winning next Saturday's Preakness Stakes.
The second leg of the Triple Crown is expected to be a crowded field, with many owners of eligible horses unafraid of challenging a Derby winner who posted at 15-1 odds.
For more on the Preakness, stay tuned to this StoryStream or check out SB Nation's horse racing blog And Down The Stretch They Come. There, you'll also find a A Beginner's Guide To Following Horse Racing and a glossary of horse racing terms.