Leading Quarter Horse trainer Trey Wood has been suspended by New Mexico Racing Commission stewards at Ruidoso Downs.

© Robert Edwards

RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM—AUGUST 11, 2019—Leading Quarter Horse trainer S. Trey Wood has been summarily suspended by New Mexico Racing Commission stewards after one of his horses tested positive for the prohibited substance albuterol.

The suspension was issued Aug. 9 after 30 horses from Wood's barn had been entered in Aug. 16 -17 time trials at Ruidoso Downs for the Sept. 2 All American Futurity, Quarter Horse racing's most famous race.

The suspension was issued after Gold Heart Eagle V tested positive for albuterol after winning the fourth race at Ruidoso July 27.

Albuterol is a Class 3 drug with a Class A penalty in Quarter Horse racing under Association of Racing Commissioners International guidelines. Earlier this year, the New Mexico Racing Commission moved to make albuterol a "zero tolerance" drug because of its potential for abuse, similar to clenbuterol. Both drugs are bronchodilators as therapeutic treatment for airway obstruction but can have steroidal effects.

Wood was similarly suspended in 2018 for an albuterol positive at Remington Park in Oklahoma. His father, Blane Wood, took over training the stable's horses and he won the 2018 All American Futurity en route to winning the Blane Schvaneveldt Champion Trainer Award from the American Quarter Horse Association.

According to the ruling, "all horses owned, trained or under the care of S. Trey Wood are ineligible to be entered or start in any race…All transfers and sales of horses trained, owned, or in the care and custody of S. Trey Wood must be done in accordance" of New Mexico Racing Commission Rules.

Wood's 30 entries represent 12% of the 257 2-year-olds entered in the Aug. 16-17 All American Futurity time trials. He is the leading Quarter Horse trainer during the current Ruidoso Downs meet by money and races won and leading the nation by money won, with $2.5 million in earnings. His 136 wins from 339 starts (a 40% strike rate) ranks him second nationally.

A hearing has been scheduled with the board of stewards for 10 a.m. MT on Aug. 18.

Reprinted Courtesy PaulickReport.