Drug samples from Breeders' Cup horses cleared by lab

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — All samples collected from horses competing in the Breeders' Cup at Del Mar have tested clear.

The Kenneth L. Maddy Equine Analytical Chemistry Laboratory at UC Davis announced the results Thursday.

All horses competing in the world championships last weekend were tested for total carbon dioxide levels in blood as a way to prohibit enhancing performance. The Maddy Lab cleared TCO2 samples on 148 horses that competed in the 14 races along with 69 horses that competed in other races on Friday and Saturday.

Post-race testing was done for prohibited drugs on the first four finishers in all Cup races and any additional random horses selected by the stewards consistent with California Horse Racing Board protocol. Post-race testing was done on both blood and urine samples.

There were no fatalities in the races nor any observable injuries to the horses, the California Horse Racing Board said.

Jockeys rode under California's restrictive whip rules. Florent Geroux and E.T. Baird were fined $5,000 each for exceeding the six strikes per race limit set by the state racing board. Tom Eaves was fined $1,000 for raising his whip above shoulder level before a strike.

All horses competed for the first time in the 14 races without the antibleeding medication Lasix.

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