Congressional no-show horse trainer is suspended
Officials say the trainer of Kentucky Derby-winning Big Brown administered too much bronchial dilator to another horse.
Less than a week after calling in sick to a Congressional hearing on horse racing safety and drug issues, nationally renowned horse trainer Rick Dutrow has been suspended for 15 days by Kentucky racing authorities. Officials say the Dutrow-trained horse Salute the Count tested positive for overmedication with clenbuterol, a bronchial dilator. Dutrow is appealing the suspension and continues to train pending a hearing.
Dutrow has been in national news recently because he trains Big Brown, the No. 3-rated racehorse in the country. Big Brown took first place in the Kentucky Derby, beating out the second-placed finisher Eight Belles. After the race ended, Eight Belles broke her ankles and was euthanized on the track, creating a firestorm of media coverage and public discussion about whether thoroughbred racehorses are too young and are given too many steroids and other drugs. Congressional hearings on the matter began June 19.
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