Saldana Fined $1,000, Suspended 30 Days for Clenbuterol

California stewards suspended trainer Reed Saldana for 30 days and fined him $1,000 in an Oct. 23 ruling after his runner, Majestic Diva , showed the presence of clenbuterol in her system after winning an $8,000 claiming race at Los Alamitos Race Course Dec. 19. The mare was disqualified and placed last, resulting in the forfeiture of $9,600 in purse earnings for owners Johnny and Marcel Taboada.

Clenbuterol, a bronchodilator, can be used therapeutically to assist horses with respiratory issues but is restricted in many jurisdictions due to suspected muscle development properties. California has no race day threshold for clenbuterol and has rules in place for prescriptions and its therapeutic use. 

The stewards' ruling, which followed a hearing in March, noted Saldana's suspension will run from Nov. 8-Dec. 7. 

Majestic Diva led mostly from start to finish at 11-1 odds in the Dec. 19 race at Los Alamitos under Jessica Pyfer, crossing the wire 1 3/4 lengths in front. Majestic Diva has gone unplaced in five starts since, with two of those starts coming for Saldana at Santa Anita Park and three for trainer Juan Pablo Silva at Turf Paradise and later Mountaineer Casino Racetrack & Resort.

Saldana, a trainer since 2017, runs mostly claiming horses at Los Alamitos, Santa Anita, and Del Mar. He has 58 career victories from 440 starts, with his horses earning more than $1.6 million. He is 13-for-105 this year.