New York stewards have suspended trainer Richard Dutrow Jr. for 90 days for a positive drug sample in a winning horse from a race at Aqueduct last fall and for possession of hypodermic needles in his barn, racing regulators said Feb. 16.
Dutrow, who has had run-ins before with the state Racing and Wagering Board, is appealing the suspension.
“We will review the case as expeditiously as possible,’’ said Joseph Mahoney, a spokesman for the racing board.
An appeal puts the suspensions—one for 60 days and another for 30 days—on hold until the full board can review the steward’s findings.
The 60-day suspension is for a finding of Class 3 medication Butorphanol in a post race sample of the Fastus Cactus, who finished first on Nov. 20 last year in the third race at Aqueduct. Officials say the horse is disqualified and unplaced in the finish order. The hypodermic needle finding carries a 30-day suspension.
If upheld, the separate suspensions would be served consecutively. A suspension would bar Dutrow from training or being on the grounds of any racetrack in New York, or sharing in any purse or other payments. Horses owned or trained by Dutrow would also be barred from participating in any New York races.
Dutrow could not be immediately reached for comment.
