Nevada authorities seek hefty $5,000 penalty and horse trainer's licensure revocation following accusations of horse doping.
Get the Lowdown on Laced Horses and a Trainer's Hefty Fine
Ever heard of a jockey using cocaine to give their horse an edge? Well, it happened in Nevada! Alvaro Torres, a horse trainer, is facing some serious heat for his horse "Saime Pro" testing positive for the banned substance. The Nevada Gaming Control Board is recommending a hefty $5,000 fine and revocation of Torres' license.
This horse-racing drama unfolded during a maiden special-weight quarter-horse race at the Elk County Fairgrounds in Northern Nevada last summer. "Saime Pro" won the race, paid a cool $11.80 to win, but its victory came at a cost. The winner undergoes mandatory drug testing, and the results came back positive for cocaine[1][2][3].
The Nevada Gaming Commission will discuss these recommendations at their meeting on April 24. Initially, the Board of Stewards had the authority to fine Torres a maximum $1,000 and suspend him for 180 days, but they thought greater punishment was needed[1].
Deputy Attorney General John Michela presented the case before the Board, stating it's the first time such a referral has been made for additional penalties in a horse-cheating case[2][4]. This ain't no jokes, people!
So, what happened at the hearing? The Board went above and beyond the stewards' recommendations by adding $4,000 to the $1,000 fine, revoking Torres' license, and allowing him to reapply only after five years. If that's not enough, Torres also forfeited the $7,000 purse, which was redistributed to the other finishers[1][2].
But wait, there's more! Board member George Assad argued for even tougher penalties, stating that Torres' actions could've harmed the horse and that's just not acceptable[1]. Members Chandeni Sendall, Kirk Hendrick, and others backed Assad, stating the case is "egregious" and calling for more severe punishment than what the stewards recommended[1].
Hendrick even suggested involving law enforcement in the matter, stating that $1,000 and a one-year suspension ain't enough and he doesn't want Torres setting foot in Nevada's racing industry again[1]. Sounds like Torres might want to clear out his Nevada stables for good!
Now, you might be thinking, "What's the big deal about a horse testing positive for cocaine?" Well, cocaine is an illegal substance, and doping an animal carries a high risk not only to the animal but also to the participants in the race. The integrity of gaming, as well as the horses and jockeys, must be protected[1].
Key-points to remember:
- Trainer Alvaro Torres' horse, "The Saime Pro," tested positive for cocaine during a race in Northern Nevada.
- The Nevada Gaming Control Board is recommending a $5,000 fine and revocation of Torres' license.
- This marks the first time Nevada gaming regulators invoked regulations allowing enhanced penalties beyond the steward’s authority.
- Board of Stewards had the authority to fine Torres a maximum $1,000 and suspend him for 180 days.
- Torres forfeited the $7,000 purse and will have to wait 5 years to reapply for a license.
- Board member George Assad called for even tougher penalties due to the serious risk to the horse and participants.
- Some members argued that the punishment handed out by the State Steward was insufficient.
- The Nevada Gaming Control Board is considering a fine of $5,000 and revocation of Alvaro Torres' license due to his horse, "The Saime Pro," testing positive for cocaine in a horse-racing event.
- This is the first time Nevada gaming regulators have invoked regulations allowing enhanced penalties beyond the steward’s authority.
- Apart from the fine, Torres also forfeited the $7,000 purse and will have to wait five years to reapply for a license.
- Some board members, such as George Assad, argued for even tougher penalties due to the serious risk to the horse and participants, and some suggested involving law enforcement in the matter.
