Michael Hall suspended 543 days after two horses test positive for ADB-FUBINACA

Michael P. Hall, listed as trainer of record from Ocean City, MD (YOB 1976), was suspended 543 days and fined $5,000 after THE NIGHT’S WATCH tested positive for the Class 1 drug ADB-FUBINACA following a race at Dover Downs on February 6, 2025. The Delaware hearing was held May 19, 2025, and the suspension period is listed as May 19, 2025 through November 12, 2026; the ruling ordered the horse disqualified and placed ninth with purse redistribution.

That Dover Downs ruling follows a separate Maryland action arising from a December 18, 2024 post-race blood sample, E721121, taken from COVENTRY HALL in the 12th race at Rosecroft Raceway. Industrial Laboratories at the Maryland Racing Commission initially identified ADB-Fubinaca in sample E721121, and “At Hall’s request, a split sample was sent to the University of California, Davis for confirmatory analysis, which confirmed the presence of ADB‑Fubinaca in the blood.” Rosecroft judges issued ruling RCR25-014 on May 14, 2025, disqualifying COVENTRY HALL, “COVENTRY HALL is disqualified, finishing first and placed ninth”, assessing six Multiple Medication Violation points, and ordering return of purse monies.

The Maryland penalty for the Coventry Hall positive is a 284-day full suspension from May 14, 2025 through February 21, 2026, with credit applied: “Given credit for 76 days served (last training start at Bally’s Dover on February 27th, 2025), Hall will be issued a 284‑day full suspension from May 14th, 2025 through February 21st, 2026.” Maryland also fined Hall $2,500, required immediate purse return within 72 hours of the ruling, and barred Hall and horses trained or owned by him from Maryland Racing Commission grounds during the suspension. The Maryland order cites COMAR 09.10.03.04.B and requires Hall to reapply to the commission for licensure after the suspension ends.

The two rulings impose materially different penalties and timeframes. The Delaware decision invoked DHRC rule 8.3.2.1 and the commission’s baseline language that, "...In the absence of extraordinary circumstances," calls for a minimum license revocation of eighteen months and a minimum fine of $5,000, along with forfeiture of purse monies and testing costs. Ustrottingnews’ text for the Dover case states Hall is responsible for returning all purse monies and for the cost of the failed test, and that “All fines are due within 10 days of receipt of ruling.” The Delaware ruling also included the administrative requirement that “The transfer of related ownership and/or training responsibilities, during this suspension, must be approved by the Presiding Judge.”

Hall has appealed the Rosecroft Raceway judges’ ruling RCR25-014 as of May 14, 2025; the Delaware record in the provided excerpts does not state whether an appeal was filed in that jurisdiction. The rulings leave immediate operational consequences in place: two horses disqualified and placed ninth, purse redistributions ordered, and overlapping suspension calendars that currently run through February 21, 2026 in Maryland and November 12, 2026 in Delaware.