Winner of All American tests positive for caffeine. October 31st, 2008
Winner of All American tests positive for caffeine. State racing officials say the winner of last months All American Futurity at Ruidoso Downs has tested positive for caffeine.
That could jeopardize the $1 million purse won by the owner of Stolis Winner. If the finding is upheld by the New Mexico Racing Commission, Jerry Windham of College Station, Texas, could be required to return the purse.
The positive test was first reported Thursday by the Albuquerque Journal.
New Mexico racing regulations do not allow any amount of caffeine in race horses, said Julian Luna, the racing commissions executive director. He said urine from all 10 horses in the futurity were tested after the race, and only Stolis Winner turned up positive.
Notices for a Nov. 15 hearing on the matter were sent out this week, he said. Because New Mexico has a trainer responsibility rule, trainer Heath Taylor will be served the notice to appear at the hearing.
Windham told the Journal he had heard rumors about caffeine turning up in the test, but had not officially been notified there might be a problem.
He said its ludicrous to think anyone would risk a $1 million purse by giving caffeine to a top-performing horse.
I know this, if there was any caffeine, it didnt go through his system, said Windham, a past president of the American Quarter Horse Association.
It had to be a contaminant in the test sample from another source, he said.
Caffeine has the same effect on horses as it has on humansIt jazzes them up, said Susan Vescovo, vice president of the New Mexico Horsemens Association.
Racing commission regulations list caffeine as a Class 2 substance, which has a high potential for affecting the outcome of a race, according to guidelines on which the regulations are based.
Penalties recommended for Class 2 violations including a suspension of six months to a year, a fine of $1,500 to $2,500, and loss of a purse.