A possible positive finding in a post-race...

A possible positive finding in a post-race drug test is holding up the distribution of some of the purse money in the $10 million Breeders’ Cup thoroughbred races, the New York Daily News reported.

The target of the investigation is a horse which finished in the money, but was not a winner, in one of seven races on the Nov. 2 card at Aqueduct, the Daily News said.

The paper said that a positive finding had been reported by a laboratory at Cornell University, which does drug testing for all New York tracks. Another laboratory, outside the state, also conducted a test on the sample but was unable to verify or disprove the Cornell finding.

Since a supportive finding is generally sought in such cases, this could mean that the New York Racing and Wagering Board will declare the investigation concluded and remove its hold on the purse distribution.

Some of the purse money, possibly more than $1 million, was paid out before the hold order was issued, the Daily News said.

Gerald McKeon, president of the New York Racing Assn., which operates the New York tracks, confirmed that the Racing and Wagering Board had issued a hold on the purse distribution, but he added, “I can’t discuss the matter with you at this time.”