Flores suspended 90 days for prescription drug overage
DEL MAR, Calif. – Jockey Eswan Flores was suspended 90 days by Del Mar stewards Thursday for testing in excess of the prescription medication Xanax on June 29 at Santa Anita.
The suspension was made retroactive to Aug. 3 and runs through Oct. 31. During the suspension, Flores, 21, is banned from the racetrack and must undergo counseling with the Winners Foundation and comply with that organization’s recommendations before he is allowed to participate in a hearing for possible reinstatement.
The Winners Foundation works with people in California racing with substance-abuse issues.
Flores did not ride June 27 at Santa Anita and did not take a drug test ordered by stewards that day. Two days later, he took the drug test, which revealed the excessive level of Xanax, which is prescribed for panic and anxiety disorders.
Flores did not appear at a scheduled hearing July 20 with Del Mar stewards regarding the June drug test but later arrived at the track for a test administered by California Horse Racing Board investigators.
Flores was subject to random drug testing in June, having tested positive for cocaine in 2012. He was suspended 60 days for that infraction.
In addition to the most recent suspension, Flores was fined $600 for failing to ride June 27 at Santa Anita.
Flores has struggled to attract business this year, winning on 6 of 79 mounts. His last win was May 30 at Santa Anita. Flores is winless with two mounts at the current Del Mar meeting and has not ridden since July 18.