The Louisiana State Racing Commission has handed out suspensions and fines to eight Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred trainers whose horses tested positive for the Class 1 drug dermorphin.
This substance is also referred to as “frog juice,” as it is found on the skin of a frog called Phyllomedusa sauvagei, or the Waxy Monkey Leaf Frog. When administered to horses, it supposedly causes them to become excited, and has pain dulling effect.
The suspensions are as follows:
– Alvin Smith Jr.’s license has been suspended for 10 years, as this is the third Class 1 violation in his career. He was also fined $20,000.
– John Darrel Soileau was suspended for 10 years for two separate dermorphin positives, and was fined a total of $20,000.
– Alonza Loya received a five-year suspension and he was fined $10,000 for a dermorphin positive.
– Michael Heath Taylor received a $10,000 fine and five-year suspension for one dermorphin positive.
– Kyi Lormand was suspended three years and fined $2,500.
– Anthony Agilar, who had two dermorphin positives, was given two three-year suspensions and two $2,500 fines. However, the suspensions are to run concurrently, so his total ban is three years. His total fine is $2,500.
– Lamont Keith Charles, who gave police a syringe believed to contain the drug in question, also received a three-year suspension and was fined $2,500.
– Gonzalo Gonzales, who identified himself as a “program trainer” who did not actually train the horse that tested positive, received a three-year suspension and was fined $2,500.
The suspensions of Lormand, Agilar, and Charles could be reduced or increased, commissioners said, because of their cooperation in providing information about the veterinarians who treated their horses.
Charles Gardiner, executive director of the racing commission, said investigations of veterinarians are ongoing with both the commission and Louisiana State Police.
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