Farias hit with six medication complaints by CHRB

The California Horse Racing Board has filed six complaints against Quarter Horse trainer Adan Farias after horses he started at Los Alamitos in late October, including four winners, tested positive for the banned medication zilpaterol.

Three of the positives were taken from runners in major stakes on the AQHA Challenge Championship program at Los Alamitos on Oct. 29 – T Gold J, the winner of the $200,000 Derby Challenge, and Illegal Smile and FDD Moon, who were first and third in the $150,000 Juvenile Challenge. Illegal Smile finished in a dead heat for first.

The other positives were taken from In a Separate Class, the winner of a $16,000 claimer on Oct. 23; Azshecanfly, second in the Members Plus Stakes on Oct. 29; and Creek Bobbie, the winner of a starter allowance on Oct. 29.Zilpaterol is used as a feed supplement that promotes increased muscle gain in livestock.

The complaints against Farias will be the subject of a hearing which has not been scheduled. Farias could face severe sanctions. According to the Association of Racing Commisioners International model rules, the suggested penalty for each positive of zilpaterol is a one-year suspension and a $10,000 fine.

Farias’s Los Alamitos stable was disbanded in November, leading his runners to be transferred to other stables. Even though he has not had a starter in recent months, Farias ranks fourth among the nation’s Quarter Horse trainers with 2011 earnings of $2,005,030.