Calhoun Suspended in Kentucky for CBD Positive

Trainer Bret Calhoun has been issued a 30-day suspension by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission—with 20 days stayed pending no major drug violations over the next year—after one of his winners at Ellis Park last summer, Touch Blue, tested positive for cannabidiol, commonly known as CBD. Calhoun was also fined $500.

In a ruling published April 14 on the KHRC website, stewards disqualified Touch Blue, owned by Chester Thomas' Allied Racing Stable, and ordered the purse money from the race redistributed. Calhoun's suspension began Tuesday and will continue through April 23. Stewards cited "mitigating circumstances" in the partial stay.

Calhoun said the presence of CBD came from a supplement that was recommended to him by his owner.

"Neither him nor I had any idea that this (supplement) was illegal," he said.

CBD use among humans has increased in recent years with its backers claiming it can ease a variety of ailments, including pain. CBD is classified as a prohibited class 2 drug from the Association of Racing Commissioners International with the "high potential to affect performance," though less than class 1 drugs, which carry the stiffest penalties.

"We worked with the state to work through this," Calhoun said of the long-delayed case, which dates back to when Touch Blue won at 3-1 in the first race at Ellis Park July 6, a maiden $7,500 claiming contest.

A 4-year-old daughter of Touch Gold, Touch Blue has raced twice since, running fourth in a claiming race at Indiana Grand and winning a claiming race at Remington Park last fall. Her adjusted record now stands at one victory from five starts with earnings of $10,049.

Either solely or in partnership, Thomas also owns stakes horses in training with Calhoun, including Mr. Big News, the 46-1 longshot winner of the April 11 Oaklawn Stakes. Mr. Money and By My Standards are also graded stakes winners for them.