Los Alamitos: De La Torre’s future with Last to Fire, Foose Cash Sr uncertain

CYPRESS, Calif. – Last to Fire’s win in Saturday’s $750,000 Champion of Champions followed by Foose Cash Sr’s victory in Sunday’s $1,989,525 Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity was the highlight of the year for Quarter Horse trainer Jose De La Torre.

Whether De La Torre is the trainer of Last to Fire and Foose Cash Sr when they resume racing in 2014 is unclear.

In recent months, De La Torre has had two horses test positive for the bronchodilator clenbuterol, resulting in the redistribution of purses.

On Sept. 29, Zoomdasher finished second in the $150,000 Mildred Vessels Handicap for fillies and mares at Los Alamitos and was disqualified and placed last for a clenbuterol positive. A purse of $25,500 was forfeited.

On Oct. 25, Carlota, trained by De La Torre, tested positive for clenbuterol after winning a 300-yard maiden race. The winner’s share of $3,630 was ordered redistributed.

De La Torre, who trained 2012 World Champion One Dashing Eagle, could face a fine or suspension for the positives, pending a hearing with Los Alamitos stewards.

Clenbuterol can be used during training but cannot appear in post-race tests. The California Horse Racing Board enacted a zero-tolerance policy on the raceday presence of the medication in May 2012. At the time, the racing board recommended a 21-day withdrawal period for clenbuterol when administered at prescribed levels.

The positive tests occurred in De La Torre’s runners five years after he was fined $15,000 for six clenbuterol positives in 2008, according to racing board rulings. In May 2012, De La Torre’s brother, Ugo, was fined $17,500 and suspended 200 days for two clenbuterol positives at Los Alamitos in summer 2011. Ugo De La Torre also was sanctioned for a clenbuterol positive in 2010.

Last to Fire, Foose Cash Sr, and the other 18 horses that qualified for the Champion of Champions and Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity were subject to out-of-competition testing for clenbuterol.

After Last to Fire’s win, De La Torre expressed frustration that one of his recent positives for clenbuterol occurred at a level of 125 picograms, or trillionths of a gram.

“Clenbuterol is a legal drug,” De La Torre said. “It’s not enjoyable when you win the race. It’s a lot of stress. I should have been jumping up and down like I won the All American. I didn’t enjoy it.”

De La Torre said his barn operates on a 25-day withdrawal period for clenbuterol. He said that Last to Fire would be rested until the trials for the Vessels Maturity in June. Foose Cash Sr will be pointed to the major derbys at Los Alamitos in 2014.

While the Champion of Champions win is expected to give Last to Fire the 2013 World Champion title, the trainer admitted his future is in question.

“I know he’s a good horse,” De La Torre said. “I don’t know what will happen next.”