Harris Drug Case Is Dismissed by Stewards

Los Alamitos stewards have dismissed a case against quarter horse trainer Russell Harris for a positive drug test by one of his horses in November.

“Our experts showed that the test could have arisen either through cocaine going through the system or contamination of the sample,” said Conrad Klein, Harris’ attorney, after the four-day hearing.

“We also established: 1) contamination of the jars; and 2) cocaine within the vicinity of where the jars are left. Put all three together and you can see dismissal.”

The Harris-trained Mighty Dasher, who finished fifth in the 10th race on Nov. 8, tested positive for benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine.

Klein, who also took over the case of trainer Caesar Dominguez after he was fined $5,000 and suspended one year for a similar offense last August, helped Dominguez get a reduced suspension to six months. Klein said Dominguez planned to file suit.