Pain-killing drug dermorphin has led to two more trainer suspensions

A recent outbreak of positive tests at Louisiana tracks for the pain-killing drug dermorphin has led to two more suspensions of trainers.

In separate rulings this month, Delta Downs stewards suspended quarter-horse trainers Alonzo Loya and Gonzalo Gonzales for six months — the maximum penalty that stewards can give a trainer under Louisiana racing rules. The stewards also disqualified the horses that tested positive and ordered purses won in the questioned races to be redistributed.

The Times-Picayune reported both Loya and Gonzales have appealed the suspensions to the Louisiana State Racing Commission. Executive Director Charlie Gardiner said Loya and Gonzales can continue to run horses until the commission hears the cases.

Loya is the trainer of Courville Buff, who tested positive for dermorphin after winning the third race at Delta Downs on June 1. The purse was $20,500, of which the winner's share was $12,300.

Gonzales is the trainer of Be Home By Six, who tested positive for the drug after winning the fourth race at Delta Downs on June 12. The purse was $12,000, of which the winner's share was $7,200.

Loya and Gonzales join quarter-horse trainer Alvin Smith Jr. and thoroughbred trainer Keith Charles as trainers against whom rulings have been issued for alleged violations stemming from the dermorphin outbreak. Eleven horses, from the stables of nine trainers, tested positive.

Racing Commissioners International categorizes dermorphin in Class 1 — the most harmful drugs on a list of substances that might be given to horses. Regulators say that the drug has no legitimate use in horses and is much more powerful than morphine.

Under Louisiana racing rules, the recommended penalty for a Class I violation is a suspension of at least a year and no more than five years, and a $5,000 fine.

When a horse tests positive for a drug not permitted for use in racing, the trainer has the right to ask for a split sample, often called a referee sample, to be analyzed by an out-of-state laboratory. If the lab doesn't confirm the positive, the case against the trainer is dropped. If the lab confirms a positive, track stewards will hold a hearing on the matter and possibly issue a ruling.

Loya, Gonzales, Smith and Charles declined to have referee samples tested.