Kentucky racing stewards on June 25 suspended trainer Rick Dutrow for 15 days after a horse he trained tested positive for the prohibited substance clenbuterol.
According to chief state steward John Veitch, the positive test was for the horse Salute the Count, who finished second in the $100,000 Aegon Turf Sprint (gr. IIIT) at Churchill Downs the day before Dutrow-trained Big Brown won the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I). The $20,000 second-place purse earned by Salute the Count in the race will be forfeited as a result of the action.
Although Dutrow waived his right to a hearing before the ruling was issued, he has indicated he will file an appeal within the 10-day period allowed for such action, Veitch said. If Dutrow appeals, the suspension will be stayed and he will be permitted to continue to train until he has exhausted all administrative and legal remedies, according to Veitch. Under the appeals process, a hearing officer is appointed to review the case and make a recommendation to the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority, which has the ability to accept, reject, or amend the recommendation.
Clenbuterol is an approved medication in horses, and is used as a bronchial dilator, which increases lung capacity though it has steroidal properties.
Veitch said the amount of clenbuterol in Salute the Count's system was twice the allowable level in Kentucky.
Trainer Rick Dutrow, Jr.
