By Matt Shifman

The New Jersey Racing Commission ruled this week to fine trainer Jorge Navarro $2,500 after one of his horses, George Cross, returned a positive for cocaine, morphine and Benzoylecgonine, the substance tested for in cocaine urinalysis.

Navarro was given a hearing to discuss the test, which followed George Cross’ win in the 5th race June 17 at Monmouth Park. His attorney, Brad Beilly, told the Daily Racing Form that Navarro is appealing the ruling, saying cocaine was introduced to the sample post-race.

Frank Zanzuccki, the Executive Director of the New Jersey Racing Commission, told Horse Racing Nation that Navarro was not suspended because of “mitigating circumstances.” When asked whether he could give more explanation, Zanzuccki said he “is prohibited by law from commenting further.”

According to the ruling, the fine was "based on the levels of the foreign substances and other evidence.” George Cross has been disqualified from his win as well as purse money.

Navarro, the leading trainer at Monmouth Park for the past five years, also had a horse test positive for cocaine after a February race at Tampa Bay Downs.

This year Navarro saddled 62 winners from 158 starters at the Jersey Shore track, a gaudy win rate of 41 percent. A total of 71 percent of his runners finished in the money. The second-place trainer recorded 27 wins over the same span.

This week's ruling drew reaction from the industry, including from Justin Zayat, Zayat Stables' racing manager, who tweeted, "Disgusting. Ban him for life already. Sick of hearing about this cheater. Enough is enough."

Navarro was also fined $5,000 and placed on probation for one year by the Monmouth Park Stewards for his role in the controversial “juice man” video, which has been viewed more than 20,000 times since it was posted to YouTube this past August. Later, the NJRC increased Navarro’s fine for the incident to $10,000.

In Maryland, Navarro-trained El Deal -- a Grade 1 winner -- was not allowed to run in Laurel Park's Frank J. De Francis Dash after the video's release by track operator the Stronach Group.

A trainer since 2010, Navarro previously trained Private Zone, the 2015 Breeders' Cup Sprint runner-up, and is this year expected to saddle Sharp Azteca in the Dirt Mile at Del Mar.