Ohio-based trainer Francisco Ramos has been cited for two more out-of-competition positive test results for the bronchodilator clenbuterol, his fifth and sixth reported violations for this medication since early May.
Ramos was provisionally suspended May 31 by the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit after three horses he owned and trained tested positive for clenbuterol in out-of-competition testing following a post-race positive test reported May 8 by HIWU. A 4-year-old filly named You're a Dandy tested positive for clenbuterol after she ran second in an April 14 claiming race at Hawthorne Race Course. She raced again May 5 at Hawthorne, finishing third—three days before HIWU posted the results of the positive test result. You're a Dandy was suspended from competition May 8.
Clenbuterol is listed as a controlled medication and allowed provided it is prescribed by a veterinarian and given for no more than 30 days within a six-month period. All treatments are required to be reported. The horse also must be placed on the veterinarian's list for at least 21 days after the last treatment. To be cleared for racing, the horse must test negative from both blood and urine samples after the 21-day period and have an official workout monitored by a regulatory vet.
Clenbuterol is highly controlled because, while effective in treating pulmonary disease, it also has similar muscle-building properties as anabolic steroids when abused. Consequently, if clenbuterol is detected in a post-race test after no treatment history is provided, the medication is treated as a banned substance and considered an anti-doping violation.
Following the post-race positive for You're a Dandy, Ramos next was cited for three out-of-competition violations from May 8 tests for the 6-year-old gelding Scat Shack, 5-year-old gelding Cindy's Storm, and 4-year-old gelding Jim's River Runner. These three horses were suspended from competition as of May 31.
Scat Shack last ran seventh in a $14,500 starter optional claiming race at Belterra Park May 29 for Ramos. The gelding is now reportedly owned by Adrian Ramos and trained by Juan Raul Aguirre.
Cindy's Storm ran third in a starter optional claiming race May 10 at Belterra Park, and then ran again May 25 in a $9,700 claiming race at Belterra. Francisco Ramos is still listed as his trainer/owner.
Jim's River Runner last ran May 17 in an allowance race at Belterra Park, where he finished fourth. Francisco Ramos is listed as his owner/trainer as well.
Ramos' most recent out-of-competition violations involve 7-year-old gelding Tequila Flats and the 4-year-old filly Total Smokeshow, who both tested positive for clenbuterol from tests taken June 1. Both horses are now listed as owned by Adrian Ramos and trained by Aguirre.
Total Smokeshow raced twice last month, finishing second in Belterra allowance races June 15 and June 26. Tequila Flats most recently raced June 19 at Belterra Park, where he was fourth in an allowance race. These horses have been suspended from racing as of June 27.
Sanctions against Francisco Ramos are still pending.
