Jockey Eswan Flores benched for positive drug test [Updated]

Jockey Eswan Flores was pulled from his mounts at Del Mar more than a week ago after a random drug test came back positive for cocaine, Keith Brackpool, chairman of the California Horse Racing Board, confirmed on Tuesday in a statement.

Flores is challenging the validity of the test, according to Doug Christensen, his manager.

“He absolutely has not taken cocaine,” Christensen said. “I believe the test was corrupted.”

Christensen said Flores took a second test two days later that came back negative for cocaine.

Flores and his attorney are trying to set up a hearing with the CHRB for Friday, Christensen said.

The Daily Racing Form reported Monday that Flores had been prohibited from riding because of the positive test.

Flores, 19, is an apprentice who won eight races at Del Mar until being barred from riding on Aug. 25. He started riding thoroughbreds only last year while still finishing high school in El Monte.

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