HORSE RACING : CHRB Serves Notice That It Will Crack Down on Use of Illegal Drug

Now that it has completed an extensive, three-month review of testing procedures and had an informational meeting with horsemen, the California Horse Racing Board said Wednesday it will begin prosecuting all new cases resulting from the confirmed detection of the illegal drug clenbuterol in the urine samples of horses.

Not approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in this country, clenbuterol helps control internal bleeding by reducing blood pressure and enlarging the air passage. Thus, it is believed to enhance performance in race horses. There have been rumors about its use throughout the country.

Since January, there have been seven suspect samples of clenbuterol in California, four of which were confirmed as being positive for the drug. The CHRB did not release the names of the trainers involved, but all the horses were thoroughbreds on the Southern California circuit. Two horses won their races.

Rather than go forward on those cases, the CHRB reviewed its testing procedures, not wanting a replay of the cocaine fiasco of a few years ago. Fifteen trainers were charged after their horses allegedly tested positive for cocaine, charges that were dropped.

“We’ve attempted at all times to balance the rights of the trainers with the CHRB’s mandate to protect the public’s interest,” said Dennis Hutcheson, the CHRB’s executive secretary. “We haven’t rushed blindly into anything. The public and integrity of racing are best served when the CHRB acts fairly and diligently.

“We’ve determined that the testing procedures now in place at our various contract laboratories are proper and reliable. We believe that because clenbuterol is an extremely potent drug, the amounts detected in the samples, though measured in nanograms, nonetheless are of sufficient levels as to possibly influence the outcome of races.

“We now have tremendous confidence in our system and we’ve determined that a problem may exist with the illicit use of clenbuterol.”

Hunch players could have made a Forum parlay last Friday night at Hollywood Park.

Two races after Wayne Gretzky and Bruce McNall greeted Glen Kate in the winner’s circle after her upset victory in the Sequoia Breeders’ Cup Handicap, El Bashek broke his maiden, giving Jim Buss, the son of Lakers’ owner Jerry Buss, his first victory as a trainer. Recently licensed, Buss also had two seconds in his first five starters at Hollywood Park.

A 4-year-old gelded son of Hawaii, El Bashek won in his sixth career appearance, holding off Explosive Jamal by a head.

“There’s nothing better,” Buss said after his first victory. “He’s my favorite horse right now.”

Buss and longtime friend Jonathon Idelson bought El Bashek for $1,800 earlier this year. El Bashek was off for two years before returning to the races in May.

After working for his father with the now-defunct Major Indoor Soccer League team, the Lazers, Buss, 32, decided he wanted to train horses and teamed with trainer John Ellul early last year.

“It was a perfect match,” said Buss, who says he first started going to the races when he was 6. “He’s a real good horseman with the patience to teach someone.

“We set up residence at San Luis Rey Downs (a training center) and that worked out well. They’ve got gate crews, veterinarians--people you can ask questions beyond the norm.”

Recently licensed, Buss’ only client at the moment is, by choice, his father. “I wanted to get my feet wet--know exactly what I’m doing--before I get other owners,” said Buss, who also worked briefly as a jockey agent several years ago. “My father lets me make mistakes and I’m the first to admit it when I do. But, at least, I learn from them.”

Magical Maiden, who has been worse than third only once in 10 starts, will miss the $200,000 Hollywood Oaks on Sunday. The 3-year-old filly got sick last Friday, according to trainer Warren Stute, and was put on penicillin.

Race The Wild Wind, who worked six furlongs in 1:10 3/5 Sunday morning, is the likely favorite for the 1 1/8-mile Oaks, which also will bring out Pacific Squall and Alysbelle, the full sister to Alysheba who will return to the dirt after back-to-back victories on the turf.

Horse Racing Notes

Riding for the first time since bruising his rib cage in a spill on Friday night, Pat Valenzuela won the second race aboard Calm Seas. . . . Beverly Z., ridden by Alex Solis, went wire-to-wire for a five-length victory in the $32,000 allowance feature for fillies and mares. Beverly Z. ran the 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:15 2/5 and returned $4.40, $3.20, $2.40. Caramel Desert, ridden by Chris McCarron, was second, and Nick’s Goddess, ridden by Corey Nakatani, was third. . . . Tight Spot, who skipped last Saturday’s American Handicap, will make his next start in the $300,000 Eddie Read Handicap on Aug. 16 at Del Mar. . . . Trainer Brian Mayberry is expected to enter three 2-year-old fillies--Zealous Connection, Blue Moonlight and Lily La Belle--this morning for the $100,000 Landaluce Stakes. Mayberry horses have won the race three of the last four years.