Canani hit with quarantine

Trainer Julio Canani had a mare test positive for a high bicarbonate level last month, the third trainer to be notified of a positive at the current Santa Anita meeting.

As a result, Canani's horses are to be quarantined in a detention barn for 24 hours before they start. The quarantine period began Wednesday and will last for at least three weeks.

Canani's positive occurred in Terpsichore, who finished third of five in the first race on Jan. 14.

Dr. Rick Arthur, a veterinarian and spokesman for a consortium of racing organizations who are testing for high carbon dioxide levels in all starters, announced Canani's positive on Wednesday. Last week, the consortium announced that Vladimir Cerin and Jeff Mullins had horses test positive for high bicarbonate levels.

Canani was notified of the positive on Feb. 7. Last week, his starters were not quarantined, but were observed at his stable before starting, Arthur said.

Canani said Terpsichore subsequently tested clean when she finished third on Jan. 30.

"How did this happen? I don't know," Canani said. "I run a clean barn. I told them they can come and talk to my vets, they can sleep in the barn, and they can look at my records."