Parx-based trainer Taylor given provisional suspension for clenbuterol positives
Joseph Taylor, a trainer based at Parx Racing outside of Philadelphia, has been issued a provisional suspension after two of his horses tested positive for clenbuterol, a bronchial dilator that is banned under new rules that took effect in May.
The two horses that tested positive for clenbuterol, Classy American and Cajun Cousin, also tested positive for methylphenidate, another banned substance. Both horses were disqualified and have been suspended for 30 days.
Cajun Cousin, a 4-year-old filly, tested positive after finishing second at 6-1 in a $10,000 claiming race on June 18 at Parx. She subsequently won a $10,000 claiming race on July 12 and was claimed by trainer Mario Pino.
Classy American, a 5-year-old gelding, tested positive after finishing second in a $35,000 starter-allowance race on June 20. He was 43-1 in the race.
Taylor did not respond to a message forwarded to him.
Under rules that went into effect on May 22 that are being enforced by the Horseracing Welfare and Integrity Unit, clenbuterol is a banned substance, though it can be administered to horses under a highly regulated prescription regimen that requires a horse to test clean before being allowed to race. The drug is notorious in racing for its ability to act like a steroid when given regularly to horses. Methylphenidate is a central nervous system stimulant that is marketed in human medicine as Ritalin.
Taylor has won 13 races from 85 starts this year, with 70 of those starts coming at Parx. Last year, he won 18 races from 162 starts.
Taylor’s career peaked in 2019, when he had 111 winners from 538 starters, a strike rate of 21 percent, and purse earnings of $3.4 million. His starts and wins have abruptly declined since then.
Under HIWU rules, trainers are automatically suspended for positives for banned substances, pending a hearing. A positive carries a recommended suspension of two years, though the penalties can be reduced depending on the trainer’s cooperation with regulators.
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