No Wagering in Sam Houston Futurity After Drug Tests

Sam Houston Race Park, in the midst of its Quarter Horse meet, issued the following release May 27 related to the

$731,650 Sam Houston Futurity May 28:

The Texas Racing Commission performed two separate testing methods on the qualifiers for the Sam Houston Futurity. 

• Post-race Blood and Urine samples on the qualifying nights (May 7 and May 8)

• Hair Test samples May 15

Throughout this time period, all qualifiers were required to remain on Sam Houston Race Park property until the conclusion of the finals. Texas Racing Commission staff notified Sam Houston Race Park that all post-race samples were negative for the ten qualifying participants prior to entry day May 21 for the Sam Houston Futurity Finals.

On May 26, racing commission staff informed Sam Houston Race Park of the following results from the hair testing performed on May 15:

• Six positive results for either clenbuterol and or albuterol (both prohibited in Texas)

• Two results were deemed inconclusive  

• Two results were negative

A second hair sample was taken on May 26 of those horses who tested positive or inconclusive.

Based on this information, and to protect the interest of the wagering public, Sam Houston Race Park will conduct the running of this race as a non-wagering event and those Sam Houston Futurity participants will compete for purse money only.

Effective immediately and until further notice, Sam Houston Race Park will stop accepting future entries from those trainers whose horses tested positive. Entries have already been accepted through June 3.

Sam Houston Race Park reserves the right to issue further disciplinary actions against the trainers of these horses, pending actions of the Texas Racing Commission, including the results of second hair test samples if applicable.