Eight finalists for Sam Houston Futurity fail drug tests

The $731,650 Sam Houston Futurity on Friday will be run as a non-wagering event after as many of eight of the 10 finalists for the 330-yard race failed recent drug tests, the track announced on Thursday.

The affected horses, or their trainers, were not named, but the track said in a statement that their trainers would not be allowed to enter any additional horses for races on June 4 or thereafter.

The season was scheduled to end on June 12, but was recently expanded by 20 racing days to include the transfer of Quarter Horse dates from Retama Park. That portion of the season will run from June 23 to Aug. 7.

The track did not immediately name the trainers who will no longer be allowed to race at the Houston track.

According to the track’s statement, blood and urine samples taken by Texas Racing Commission officials after time trials on May 7-8 showed no abnormalities. More extensive hair follicle testing conducted by commission officials on May 15 revealed that six horses had tested positive for the banned medications albuterol or clenbuterol, two were deemed “inconclusive”, and two were negative, the statement said.

The racing commission informed track officials of the results of the hair follicle tests on Wednesday, according to Sam Houston. A second hair follicle test was conducted on Wednesday on the eight horses that tested positive or had inconclusive tests.

The race will be run for purse money only.