Date Set for Hearing in Asmussen Case
by Ron Mitchell
Date Posted: 6/26/2008 10:07:07 PM
Last Updated: 6/27/2008 12:47:57 PM

Steve Asmussen
Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt
The Texas Racing Commission stewards at Lone Star Park have set a July 18 hearing for trainer Steve Asmussen after the horse Timber Trick tested positive for the prohibited substance hydroxylidocaine, a metabolite of lidocaine. The commission said the positive test occurred after the horse won the third race at Lone Star Park on May 10.

According to the commission Web site, Asmussen exercised his right to have a slit sample of the test sent to a commission-approved laboratory for confirmation.

The penalty for such a violation is a fine ranging from $1,500-$2,500 and a suspension of six months to one year, plus a loss of the winning purse.

According to a statement from the commission, the "Texas Rules of Racing clearly state that a horse may not have any level of a prohibited drug, chemical or other substance, regardless of classification, in its body on race day, except for permissible levels of phenylbutazone and furosemide."

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