Dutrow given 90 days' worth of suspensions for two infractions

Trainer Richard Dutrow Jr. was suspended a total of 90 days Wednesday by the New York stewards for two separate infractions. Having appealed both penalties, Dutrow will be permitted to continue to train until a hearing is held.

Dutrow, 51, currently has horses stabled in New York and south Florida.

Dutrow was suspended 60 days for the finding of the painkiller Butorphanol, a Class 3 medication, in the post-race sample of Fastus Cactus, who won the third race at Aqueduct on Nov. 20, 2010. That horse, who was claimed from Dutrow that day, was ordered unplaced in the order of finish and the purse would be redistributed if the ruling stands.

Dutrow also received a 30-day penalty for the finding of hypodermic needles during a search of his Aqueduct barn on Nov. 3. Dutrow was at Churchill Downs that day, preparing horses for a variety of Breeders’ Cup races that weekend.

Dutrow would not be allowed to serve the penalties concurrently, according to New York State Racing and Wagering Board steward Carmine Donofrio.

Dutrow, who won the 2008 Kentucky Derby and Preakness with Big Brown, did not return two messages seeking comment.
Dutrow has been a controversial figure in racing, having admitted to using steroids – which were legal at the time – on Big Brown. He has also served suspensions and/or been fined on several occasions.

In 2009, Dutrow served 30 days for a clenbuterol positive on Salute the Count, who finished second in the Grade 3 Aegon Turf Sprint at Churchill Downs the day before Big Brown won the 2008 Derby.

In 2005, Dutrow served 60 days worth of suspensions – he was initially given 120 days – for two medication infractions and a violation of claiming rules. The medication violations involved Farmer Jake, who tested positive for the drug mepivacaine following a race at Aqueduct in April 2003 and Starship Smokestar, who tested positive for clenbuteral following a January race at Aqueduct in 2004.

In the claiming issue, Dutrow claimed and resold a horse to an owner who was ineligible to claim in violation of state law.
From 2001-07, Dutrow was either the first or second-leading trainer on the New York Racing Association circuit.

Dutrow is 14 for 63 at the current Aqueduct winter meet, having won Wednesday’s featured allowance race with Rift. Dutrow trains the top 3-year-old Boys At Tosconova, last year’s Hopeful winner, who was recently taken out of training due to an unspecified injury.