The Texas Racing Commission in recent months has handed out one-year suspensions and $10,000 fines to four trainers whose horses tested positive for ractopamine, a Class 2 drug carrying a Class A penalty under the Association of Racing Commissioners International's Uniform Classification Guidelines.
Ractopamine is a feed additive for cattle and swine designed to create lean muscle. When used in horses, it reportedly acts similarly to anabolic steroids in building muscle mass. Ractopamine has also been found to be a contaminant in commercially sold horse feed manufactured by companies that also make additives for cattle and swine that contain the drug.
Jerenesto Torrez, who has been training since 1991, is the only one of the four trainers who primarily conditions Thoroughbreds. His sanctions stem from a positive post-race test for Mine Inspector, second-place finisher in the fourth race at Lone Star Park last July 27. His suspension began on Jan. 1 and runs through Dec. 31. Mine Inspector was disqualified and also placed on the veterinarian's list for 90 days last Oct. 15 after a split sample confirmed the ractopamine finding.
The three others suspended for one year and fined $10,000 are primarily Quarter Horse trainers. They are:
- Jorge L Muniz, whose My Famous Troubadour was disqualified from a Retama Park win in the fifth race on Aug. 13, 2020. Muniz' suspension runs from Nov. 20, 2020, through Nov. 19, 2021.
- Xavier Alonzo Jr., whose Medicci was disqualified from a second-place finish at Lone Star Park on Sept. 26, 2020. His suspension runs from Jan. 23, 2021, through Jan. 22, 2022.
- Jesus Marquez Meza, who had two ractopamine positives reported at the same time. The first was for A Louisiana Miracle, second-place finisher in the third race at Lone Star Park on Sept. 13, 2020. The second was for American Hussle, third in the 11th race at Lone Star Park on Sept. 19, 2020. Meza's suspension for both violations runs from Nov. 1, 2020, through Oct. 31, 2021.
All of the horses were required to go on the veterinarian's list and are required to pass an approved veterinary examination before being eligible to race.
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