Contreras Suspended for Oxycodone Use
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Photo: Michael Burns Photography
Luis Contreras
The Japan Racing Association has suspended jockey Luis Contreras for the use of the painkiller oxycodone, according to a Feb. 11 report from Sports Hochi.
On Feb. 6, Contreras, a 29-year-old native of Mexico, tested positive for the drug, Sports Hochi said. A committee within JRA on Thursday revoked his temporary permit to ride.
Contreras, the leading rider at Woodbine in 2012 and 2013, and perennially among the top jockeys in Canada, had a permit become active in Japan Jan. 5. Since then he had been victorious twice.
The Sports Hochi story reported JRA regulates drug use by jockeys. Substances that "temporarily stimulate or depress race performances" are not allowed. Oxycodone is legal in Japan, but a prescription is required in order for it to be imported into the country. The notice issued by JRA did not specify whether Contreras had a valid prescription or not.