Racehorse Tests Positive for Cocaine : Horses Trained by Roger Stein Suspended at Santa Anita

The discovery of cocaine in the system of one of his racehorses has led to the immediate suspension from racing of all the horses in trainer Roger Stein’s barn at Santa Anita.

Stewards at the Arcadia track issued the ruling Wednesday afternoon after conducting a search of Stein’s barn earlier in the day.

Frank Fink, a special investigator for the California Horse Racing Board, said that the horse in question, Emperor’s Turn, had tested positive for “a large amount” of cocaine after finishing second in the first race on Oct. 23.

The ruling effectively bars Stein, 34, from running any of his more than 20 horses until further notice, pending a hearing.

Although other types of stimulant are occasionally found during postrace drug testing, it is believed to be the first time that a Southern California horse has tested positive for cocaine.

Stein, a leading harness racing trainer in the area before switching to thoroughbreds early last year, could not be reached for comment. According to investigators, however, he has denied knowledge of and involvement in the incident.

The official ruling issued Wednesday by the board of stewards of the Oak Tree Racing Assn. stated: “Pending completion of an initial evidentiary hearing before the board of stewards, all horses trained by licensed trainer Roger Stein are declared from any race for which (they are) now entered.”

Oak Tree officials deferred comment, saying it was a matter for the CHRB, but Fink outlined the background to the ruling.

“Yesterday, we got notification from our laboratories that (Stein’s) horse, Emperor’s Turn, which ran on the 23rd, tested positive for cocaine, a large amount,” he said.

“This is the first time in Southern California history that this has ever happened. It’s unusual, very unusual.

“We went to Roger Stein’s barn this morning. He wasn’t in. He was sick today. We still conducted our investigation (but) we did not find any cocaine in his barn area. We’re pretty much waiting for the hearing.”

The full hearing in front of the board of stewards will be held before the end of the Oak Tree meeting Monday.

Asked if Stein had been contacted, Fink said: “We talked to him initially on the phone this morning, but we haven’t talked to him in person. He was surprised. He doesn’t know why the horse came back positive for cocaine and, basically, he doesn’t know how it happened and (says) he didn’t do it.”

Asked what was meant by “a large amount” of cocaine, Fink said he was not altogether sure.

“The lab, when they give us the results back, as far as the drugs that tested positive, they either say small, medium or large amounts,” he said. “They said it was a large amount.”

The CHRB has been toughening its investigation into illegal drug use in recent months, conducting random testing and stationing investigators at various barns before some races.

Stein is one of several trainers whose horses have been the object of random tests. He has previously denied any involvement in illegal drug use.

In a radio interview July 15, Stein said: “If I was using anything, I’d be winning 100% of my races, instead of 25%, and my horses would be winning by 10 lengths instead of just 1.”

Earlier, he had been quoted in The California Horseman as saying: “A horse has only a certain amount of God-given ability. Some people have a tendency to go over those boundaries, and it’s not possible. You can’t turn coal into a diamond.”

Stein could not be reached Wednesday night.

Santa Anita Notes

Jockey Alex Solis escaped serious injury Wednesday when he was thrown from his mount, Raise the Line, shortly after leaving the gate in the second race. Solis was taken to Arcadia Methodist Hospital for precautionary X-rays and observation and was later discharged. The mishap was caused by Speed First, ridden by Luis Ortega. The filly cut across the path of several horses on her inside, causing Raise the Line to stumble and unseat Solis. Speed First was subsequently placed last after finishing fourth.

Wednesday’s feature race, the $88,400 Linda Vista Handicap, a Grade III event for 3-year-old fillies, was won by T.V. of Crystal, giving Patrick Valenzuela his fifth victory of the day. Trained by Donn Luby, the brown filly covered the 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:42 4/5. she finished 4 1/2 lengths ahead of favorite Variety Baby, ridden by Chris McCarron. Laffit Pincay brought A Fabulous Time home third, another 1 lengths back.

The win before a crowd of 15,836, T.V. of Crystal’s fourth in 7 starts, was worth $47,900 to her owner, Heinz S. Senftleben, and increased her earnings to $105,385. “She came out running today,” said Valenzuela, whose 5 wins brought his meet-leading total to 43, 19 more than Gary Stevens with 5 racing days left.