Los Alamitos: Two trainers fined, suspended for clenbuterol positives

Two trainers based at Los Alamitos have been fined and suspended for clenbuterol positives from late 2013, and two others face the possibility of similar sanctions, according to rulings recently published by Los Alamitos stewards.

Los Alamitos stewards James Dreyer, Ruben Moreno and George Slender issued rulings in late January fining and suspended Jose Moreno and Valentin Zamudio.

Zamudio was fined $3,000 and suspended for 60 days – from Jan. 26 to March 26 – after the Quarter Horse Mr Tr Dasher tested positive for clenbuterol following a second-place finish in a $12,500 claimer over 300 yards on Sept. 22.

Moreno was fined $5,000 and suspended for the same 60-day period for two clenbuterol positives in early October. The positives were found in post-race tests taken from the Quarter Horse Sure Fire First, who finished second in an $8,000 claimer over 300 yards on Oct. 5, and the Thoroughbred My Charming Chance, who finished second in an $5,000 claimer over 4 1/2 furlongs on Oct. 6.

The purses in those races were redistributed.

Clenbuterol is a bronchodilator used to treat horses with breathing problems and to build muscle mass. It is not permitted to appear in post-race tests. The California Horse Racing Board has advised trainers on a 21-day withdrawal period for the medication.

Earlier this month, Los Alamitos stewards redistributed the purses of two additional races in early December in which Quarter Horse race winners tested positive for clenbuterol.

A positive was found in a post-race test taken from TR Specialty, who won a maiden race for $5,000 claimers over 300 yards on Dec. 1. Trainer Guillermo Morales recently had a hearing with Los Alamitos stewards, but a decision on his case has not been announced.

A clenbuterol positive was found in a post-race test taken from Dashers Jessie, who won a $3,200 claimer over 300 yards on Dec. 6. Dashers Jessie is trained by Ryan Hanson, who has yet to have a hearing.

Clenbuterol positives have occurred with frequency in recent years at Los Alamitos. Prominent trainer Jose De La Torre was told in December to move his stable off the track after he had four horses test positive for clenbuterol from late September to early November. In 2008-09, De La Torre had nine positives for clenbuterol, resulting in a total of $25,000 in fines and a 60-day suspension.