Disputed Use of Beta-Blockers at Iowa Derby Amid Geographical Mismatch
In a recent development, Steve Asmussen, a renowned racehorse trainer, is awaiting a court decision regarding a penalty imposed by Prairie Meadows Racetrack. The dispute arose following the positive test of one of Asmussen's horses, Shang, for the banned substance Atenolol, a beta-blocker, in July 2019.
Shang placed second in the Iowa Derby's sweepstakes for three-year-olds shortly before the positive test. Asmussen argues that the low traces of Atenolol in Shang's system would not have given the horse a competitive advantage. He suggests that Shang may have come into contact with the chemical via a worker urinating in the horse's stall.
Asmussen challenged the decision via the Iowa Racing Commission, which upheld the board's ruling. He wants the ruling overturned, believing it darkens the reputation of the entire racing industry. The trainer argues that the ruling is unjustly punitive and needlessly tarnishes the reputation of horse racing.
Recent reports by the Iowa Capital Dispatch suggest that a geographical mistake made by Asmussen's legal team could affect his case. However, a thorough search of available information does not support this claim. There is no publicly available evidence indicating that the geographical mistake involving the wrong Altoona in Asmussen's evidence presentation affected his case against Prairie Meadows Racetrack's penalty.
It's important to note that the Altoona, Penn. where the incorrect evidence was referenced, has a high concentration of Atenolol in its faucets. On the other hand, Altoona, Iowa where Prairie Meadows Racetrack is located, is part of the Des Moines metropolitan area.
Asmussen's lawyers argue that Atenolol is a common contaminant in the water supplies of metropolitan areas. They wrote in their complaint that maintaining such a policy stance does nothing to identify and deter the real threats to the racing industry or protect racehorses.
The penalty issued by Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino's Board of Stewards ordered Asmussen to forfeit $49,700 in winnings and pay an administrative penalty of $1,000 in May 2020. The board agreed that the traces of Atenolol in the horse's system were extremely low, but still considered it evidence of a rule violation.
This article was posted on April 15, 2022, and last updated on June 23, 2025. The information provided is based on current search results and coverage, and the situation remains ongoing.
Despite the ongoing dispute, Asmussen continues to express concerns about the ruling's impact on the horse-racing industry, stating that sports-betting companies might use this case to question the integrity of horse racing. In light of this, Asmussen's sports-betting counsel is reportedly evaluating the possibility of pursuing a case in racing's governing body's court to challenge the decision.
