Evangeline Downs: Trainers get six-month bans for dermorphin positives

The Evangeline Downs board of stewards Wednesday issued two more rulings for dermorphin positives in Thoroughbreds who raced at the Opelousas, La., track in May. Trainers Anthony Agilar and Kyi Lormand were both suspended six months and had their cases referred to the Louisiana Racing Commission for further action, said Larry Munster, assistant executive director for the commission.

Wednesday’s dermorphin ruling was the second against Agilar this meet at Evangeline. Agilar has appealed both of his rulings, while Lormand still has a window of time to file an appeal, according to Munster.

The cases are Louisiana’s sixth and seventh rulings issued for dermorphin, an illegal painkiller that is said to be as much as 40 times more powerful than morphine. In all, 11 positives have been called in the state. Of the seven cases adjudicated between Evangeline, Delta Downs, and Louisiana Downs, four have been for Thoroughbred races and three for Quarter Horses.

Lormand’s positive stems from a May 16 race in which a horse he owns and trains, He’s a Slewvescent, finished second by a neck. Agilar was suspended Wednesday for a positive that stems from a May 31 race he won with Lapile Creek.

Agilar had already been suspended six months after Bad John tested positive for dermorphin after winning the same $4,000 claiming race May 16 that He’s a Slewvescent finished second in. Both horses were disqualified from purse money.

All of the Louisiana trainers issued dermorphin rulings have received six-month suspensions, the maximum stewards can issue in such instances. All of their cases have been referred to the Louisiana Racing Commission for further action.