The New Mexico Racing Commission has issued a one-year suspension and $10,000 fine to trainer Alvaro Hinojos over a positive test for clenbuterol in his Quarter Horse trainee Big Eye, according to a ruling posted on the Association of Racing Commissioners International website.
Big Eye won a maiden special weight race at the Downs at Albuquerque on Oct. 8, 2023. Industrial Laboratories declared a positive result for clenbuterol from post-race samples, and a split sample confirmed the positive test.
Following a NMRC hearing on Dec. 17, the board of stewards opted to suspend Hinojos' license for one year along with issuing a $10,000 fine. The term of this suspension will start retroactive from the trainer's summary suspension, dated Oct. 21, 2023, through Oct. 20, 2024.
(The case was head by the NMRC, rather than the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority, because HISA has no jurisdiction over Quarter Horse racing.)
Big Eye was disqualified from his victory with purse earnings ordered returned, and has been placed on the stewards' list for 180 days. This condition means that the horse is denied entry until he passes a commission approved veterinary examination with a negative blood and urine test.
Hinojos is a multiple stakes-winning Thoroughbred trainer and graded stakes-placed Quarter Horse trainer. His record, according to Equibase, includes 25 Thoroughbred winners and 39 Quarter Horse winners for career earnings just over $1 million.
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