Los Alamitos stewards redistribute purses after Farias positives

Los Alamitos stewards have ordered the redistribution of $180,900 in purses from six races run in October after positive tests for the banned medication ziplaterol were found in runners trained by Adan Farias.

Zilpaterol is designed to increase muscle mass in livestock. The medication has properties that resemble anabolic steroids.

Three positives were taken from runners who earned prize money in major stakes on the AQHA Challenge Championship program at Los Alamitos on Oct. 29 – T Gold J, who earned $92,000 for winning the $200,000 Derby Challenge, and Illegal Smile and FDD Moon, who were first and third in the $150,000 Juvenile Challenge, earning $51,375 and $15,000. Illegal Smile finished in a dead heat for first.

The other positives were taken from In a Separate Class, who earned $5,775 by winning a $16,000 claimer on Oct. 23; Azshecanfly, who earned $5,000 for finishing second in the Members Plus Stakes on Oct. 29; and Deep Creek Bobbie, who earned $4,750 for winning a starter allowance on Oct. 29.

The rulings were published on Jan. 6. The California Horse Racing Board has filed a complaint against Farias regarding the positives, but a hearing has not been scheduled. The trainer could face severe sanctions. According to the Association of Racing Commisioners International model rules, the suggested penalty for each positive of Zilpaterol is a one-year suspension and a $10,000 fine.

Farias’s Los Alamitos stable was disbanded in November, leading his runners to be transferred to other stables.