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The American Quarter Horse Association has taken action over 11 trainers recently suspended by the Louisiana Racing Commission and the Zia Park Board of Stewards in New Mexico over the use of the drug known as frog juice.

The 11 trainers had horses test positive for the Class 1 drug known as dermorphin. They are Alvin Smith, Jr, John D. Soileau, Lamont Charles, Alonzo Loya, Kyi Lormand, Heath Taylor, Anthony Agilar, Gonzalo Gonzales, John Henry Bassett, Jeffery Heath Reed and Carlos Sedillo.

The association has suspended any AQHA memberships issued to the above trainers pending final outcome of their cases with the Louisiana or New Mexico Racing Commissions.

It said the trainers had certain appeal rights governed by the racing jurisdictions that issued the disciplinary actions. The association said it would continue to monitor the cases and had taken its action pending the final outcome of the cases.

Effective from last Friday, horses in which the trainers are listed as an owner or trainer will be ineligible to receive AQHA racing points or AQHA honors/awards, including AQHA year-end Champion or AQHA Regional High Point recognition.

Effective from the same date, horses in which the above trainers are listed as an owner or trainer shall be ineligible to enter any AQHA Challenge regional, bonus or maiden races, including the upcoming 2012 Bank of America Racing Challenge Championships to be held October 27th at Prairie Meadows Race Track and Casino in Altoona, Iowa.

The association said its action stems from the following penalties issued by the Louisiana Racing Commission and New Mexico Board of Stewards:

Louisiana Racing Commission penalties:

Alvin Smith, Jr.; 10 year suspension beginning October 29, 2012; fined $20,000

John Soileau; 10 year suspension beginning October 29, 2012; fined $20,000

Lamont Charles; 3 year suspension beginning October 29, 2012; fined $2,500

Alonzo Loya; 5 year suspension beginning October 29, 2012; fined $10,000

Kyi Lormand; 3 year suspension beginning July 4, 2012; fined $2,500

Heath Taylor; 5 year suspension beginning October 29, 2012; fined $10,000

Anthony Agilar; 3 year suspension beginning October 29, 2012; fined $5,000

Gonzalo Gonzales; 3 year suspension beginning October 29, 2012; fined $2,500

The eight suspensions above include denial of access to all racetracks, off-track wagering facilities and recognized training tracks under the jurisdiction of the Louisiana Racing Commission.

Zia Park Board of Stewards penalties:

John Henry Bassett; 10 year suspension beginning October 12, 2012; fined $10,000

Jeffrey Heath Reed; 21 year suspension beginning October 19, 2012; fined $23,000

Carlos Sedillo; 10 year suspension beginning October 20, 2012; fined $10,000

The three suspensions above include exclusion of the trainers from all areas of the grounds under the jurisdiction of the New Mexico Racing Commission and stipulation that all horses owned, trained or under the care of such trainers are ineligible to be entered or start in any race under the jurisdiction of the New Mexico Racing Commission.

The quarter horse body said meetings were being held that bring together the national associations to discuss ways to further strengthen rules, policies and plans to move forward with reformed racing rules.

“The vast majority of our members love and enjoy spending time with their horses,” association executive vice president Don Treadway said.

“They want the drug issue cleaned up, and AQHA is dedicated to using the resources we have available to make sure this happens.

“The statements made over the last several months by tracks such as Los Alamitos, Ruidoso Downs, Remington Park and actions taken by racing jurisdictions such as California, New Mexico and Louisiana show that progress is being made.

“We applaud them and others for their efforts in addressing these issues, and encourage all racing jurisdictions to reciprocate and recognize rulings from other jurisdictions,” he said.

The frog juice story broke in June after racing authorities heard rumours of the substance, supposedly drawn from the backs of South American frogs, being used in horses.

A Denver laboratory tweaked its testing and began to get positive returns for dermorphin.

A professor of pharmacology at Oklahoma State University, Craig Stevens, said at the time that dermorphin would make animals “hyper”.

“For a racehorse, it would be beneficial. The animal wouldn’t feel pain, and it would have feelings of excitation and euphoria.”

At that time, more than 40 horses from four states had tentatively tested positive for the substance.

The frog in question is Phyllomedusa sauvagei, native to South America. The form used in racehorses was probably artificially synthesized.

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