Autrey Serving California Guanabenz Ban

Trainer Cody Autrey is serving a seven-day suspension and has agreed to a $12,500 fine after two horses in his care were found to have competed with guanabenz in their systems during last summer's Del Mar meet, the California Horse Racing Board announced July 12.

Autrey's suspension started on July 7, the CHRB reported, and runs through July 13. In a stipulated agreement, 23 days of an original 30-day ban were stayed if Autrey has no further Class 1, 2 or 3 violations during a one-year probation period.

Urine samples collected from Peace Pledge and Dunmore, both trained by Autrey, were found to contain guanabenz, which is used to treat hypertension in people. This family of drugs also produces sedative or analgesic effects in horses and includes the FDA approved equine drugs xylazine and detomidine, according to the CHRB. The use of guanabenz is a Class 2 violation.

Peace Pledge finished third in the sixth race at Del Mar on July 18, 2007. Dunmore finished fifth in the second race at Del Mar on July 22, 2007.

The Ken Maddy Laboratory at the University of California-Davis did the testing.