Illinois trainer ruled off

Donald Paulik, a trainer on the Chicago circuit, has been ruled off all facilities under the jurisdiction of the Illinois Racing Board after one of his horses tested positive for the synthetic narcotic etorphine. The horse who triggered the positive test, Texas Tree, won the first race on Oct. 21 at Hawthorne.

An inquiry has been scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 19, at which time a penalty could be handed down.

Paulik, 59, has started 13 horses this year, winning twice. He trains off a farm, shipping horses to the racetrack only for published workouts and races.

Etorphine, sometimes referred to as elephant juice, is a powerful synthetic relation of morphine. It is categorized as a Class 1 drug under the Association of Racing Commissioners International guidelines, meaning it has no therapeutic value. Administered in small doses, it can have a stimulant effect on horses.