While everybody is up in arms over the current HISA situation, I feel like now’s a good time to bring up again that I claimed the first horse (Flatterwithjewels) that was voided due to failed test (which came back over a month after having her.) I was told she would be suspended 6 months and not able to run or breeze, therefore we wanted to give the horse back. It took nearly another month to get her back to Milton Pineda after all the runaround. I was refunded my claim and tax by the California Racing Commission. However, I spoke with several members of HISA and they guaranteed all my “cost and care” would be refunded to me too, that they have funds set aside for that if the trainer doesn’t pay. Well before they had my hearing to recoup my “cost and care,” they suspended Pineda 15 years. He supposedly hightailed it to Mexico. I asked what am I supposed to do now? They tell me I’m going to have to take him to small claims court to recoup my $8,300. How am I supposed to take somebody who is out of the country now to small claims court?! Nearly 3 years later and still no resolution. Until this ever gets settled, I will never fully have faith in HISA