from the Paulick Report:

ARCADIA, Calif. — Doug O'Neill, the trainer who plans to saddle two horses in next week's Breeders' Cup, has been placed on probation for one year after one of his horses had a positive drug test.

O'Neill agreed to pay a US$7,500 fine and serve a 30-day suspension, which will be stayed pending his probation, for violating four state racing rules in a stipulated agreement with the California Horse Racing Board.

A sample taken from one of O'Neill's horses, Chicks Rule, exceeded the regulatory threshold for total carbon dioxide or TCO2, which is a Class 3 violation. Excessive TCO2 indicates that an alkalizing agent, commonly referred to as a "milkshake," was administered to improve performance.

Chicks Rule won at Santa Anita on Jan. 17. Stewards previously issued a ruling disqualifying Chicks Rule and redistributing the purse money.

O'Neill's 30-day suspension is stayed provided he has no additional Class 1, 2 or 3 violations for one year.

That means he will be able to saddle Azul Leon and Square Eddie in the $2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile next Saturday at Santa Anita.

The 40-year-old trainer has won Breeders' Cup races each of the last three years, including 2007 with Maryfield in the Filly & Mare Sprint. O'Neill also trained Lava Man, the richest claiming horse in thoroughbred racing history, until the gelding's retirement in July.

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