La Verdad tests for positive clenbuterol; Rice denies administering it

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – La Verdad could be disqualified from her victory in the Grade 2 Honorable Miss at Saratoga on July 29 after she tested positive for clenbuterol, a bronchodilator.

Linda Rice, the trainer of La Verdad, confirmed that she had been notified by the stewards about the positive. Rice said she has requested a split sample of urine and blood be sent out to be tested because she claims she did not treat the horse with clenbuterol.

“There’s no clenbuterol in my barn,” Rice said Monday at Saratoga. “I’ve invited them to test everything in my barn. I’ve got 54 horses; there’s not one horse on clenbuterol.”

Clenbuterol is a medication used by horsemen typically to treat respiratory issues, although it also is sometimes used to build muscle. It may not be given to a horse within 14 days of a race.

Steve Lewandowksi, the steward for the New York State Gaming Commission, would only confirm that there is a “post-race positive investigation being conducted” on La Verdad but would not confirm the medication. The purse distribution for the Honorable Miss is being held up, Lewandowski said.

Street Story finished second in the Honorable Miss and could be elevated to first if there is a disqualification.

La Verdad came into the Honorable Miss on a three-race winning streak, including a dominant 7 1/4-length victory in the Dancin Renee Stakes for New York-bred fillies and mares.

La Verdad, a daughter of Yes It’s True, has won 14 of 20 career starts, including nine stakes. She has earned $1,170,700. La Verdad began her career for owner Mark Vondrasek’s Eklektikos Stable before being purchased privately by Sheila Rosenblum following her fourth start.

La Verdad was scratched out of Saturday’s Grade 1 Ballerina at Saratoga due to inflammation in a hind leg. The scratch was not related to this investigation, Rice said.

Rice said she hopes La Verdad can be ready for the Grade 2 Gallant Bloom at Belmont on Sept. 26.