Six-month ban for Terry Vance

Trainer Terry Vance has been suspended six months by the Delta Downs board of stewards after one of his horses tested positive for the Class 2 drug Ractopamine. He has appealed the ruling, according to the stewards, and the case has been referred to the Louisiana Racing Commission. It is scheduled to be heard at the panel's meeting on March 1.

The positive stems from a Dec. 4 race in which the Vance-trained Dak Attack won a $4,000 claimer. It came on the undercard of the track's Grade 3, $750,000 Delta Jackpot. Dak Attack was claimed out of the race by owner-trainer Benard Chatters, and has run back twice, finishing fifth and seventh in a starter allowance and first-level allowance, both at Delta.

Ractopamine is a steroid used on swine, according to stewards at Delta. They issued their ruling in the case on Feb. 17.