Jones gets clenbuterol notice

The Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission has issued an advisory to trainer Larry Jones that a horse he trains for owner Jim Squires has tested positive for the bronchial dilator clenbuterol, the top official of the commission said Friday.

John Wayne, the executive director of the commission, said that he would have no other comment other than to confirm that the advisory was issued.

"There has been a notification of an alleged violation," Wayne said. "Because of a longstanding policy, we have no other comment at this time because the matter has not been heard."

Squires sent a letter to racing publications on Friday afternoon announcing that the commission had told him his horse Stones River, a 3-year-old colt, had tested positive for clenbuterol after winning an allowance race at Delaware Park on June 8.

Squires, the breeder of the 2001 Kentucky Derby winner, Monarchos, has been an outspoken critic of the liberal use of drugs in U.S. racing.

Clenbuterol is an approved medication in horses. Though the drug is approved as a bronchial dilator, it has steroidal properties. It is illegal to administer on race day.