Lukas-Klein Horse Tested Positive for Drug

Some Power Play, a quarter horse partly owned by Gene Klein, former owner of the San Diego Chargers, and noted trainer Wayne Lukas tested positive for illegal medication after running next to last in the $2.5-million All American Futurity at Ruidoso Downs in New Mexico Sept. 1.

The test results showed that Rompom, a drug described as a tranquilizer, was in the horse’s system. That disclosure was yet another in a bizarre series of events involving Some Power Play, who died several days after the race.

The horse had been one of the favorites for the All American after winning the Rainbow Futurity at Ruidoso Downs. But he suffered a broken jaw in a barn accident the night before running in the All American Trials, and three days after the main race he died of what Lukas said was a perforated ulcer.

Lukas won the Eclipse Award last year as the top U.S. thoroughbred trainer, while Klein won the Eclipse as racing’s top owner. Oklahoma rancher Melvin Hatley also was a part owner of Some Power Play.

Some Power Play earned $60,500 for its ninth-place All American finish, but the purse has been held up pending an investigation by the New Mexico State Racing Commission.