Hendricks fined for tranquilizer overage

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - The California Horse Racing Board fined trainer Dan Hendricks $3,000 and gave him a 30-day stayed suspension after one of his starters tested in excess of the permitted level of the tranquilizer acepromazine earlier this year.

The positive was found in a postrace test taken from Lotacat, the runner-up in the sixth race on Feb. 10. The suspension was stayed for one year if Hendricks does not have any positives tests for medications in classes 1, 2, or 3. Acepromazine is a Class 2 medication.

The racing board has filed a complaint against Beau Greely after Rather Be Lucky tested positive for the muscle relaxant hydroxy-carisoprodol and the sedative meprobomate. Meprobomate is a Class 2 medication.

Rather Be Lucky won the third race at Santa Anita on Jan. 21, an optional claimer at 1 1/4 miles on turf with a $56,200 purse. Greely faces a possible fine and/or suspension, pending a May 24 hearing with Hollywood Park stewards.

The board also has filed complaints against five trainers and one owner who ran horses at Los Alamitos after their starters tested in excess of the permitted level of clenbuterol earlier this year.

In addition, Adan Farias, the leading Quarter Horse trainer at Los Alamitos, has been given two 15-day suspensions and fined $4,500 after two of his starters had positive tests for two non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - flunixin and bute. Horses can be administered only one such medication, according to the racing board.

Farias is serving one 15-day suspension, through Friday, and has received a temporary restraining order from a superior court allowing him to contest the second.

Six overages for clenbuterol occurred in horses trained by Jose De La Torre. The other trainers cited were Farias, John Frousiakis, Danny Montes, and Hector Sanchez. A complaint was filed against the owner Jesus Avila for administering clenbuterol to a horse at a local ranch.

De La Torre's six offenses occurred between Feb. 16 and March 8. Three of the horses were winners - Bonos Key on Feb. 23, Preppy Pilot on March 2, and Call Me a Bono on March 8. Separate hearings in those cases will be held from May 10 to May 30. The other trainers and Avila will have hearings in May.

Clenbuterol is a bronchial dilator used to aid horses with breathing problems.

In a related matter, racing board equine medical director Dr. Rick Arthur met with Los Alamitos horsemen on Saturday to review medication procedures.