Triple Crown winner Hezgothelook is among 12 horses who have tested positive for the banned medication carmoterol in New Mexico.

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ALBUQUERQUE, NM–FEBRUARY 12, 2025–Twelve horses who competed in the All American series of races held Labor Day at The Downs at Albuquerque have tested positive for the banned medication carmoterol, the New Mexico State Racing Commission announced in a press conference on Wednesday.

The 1st, 5th, and 6th finishers in the Grade 1 All American Futurity, the world's richest 2-year-old horserace, included winner Hezgothelook Z, Mountainaire, and Brink Man V.

Trainers Toby Keeton (seven) and M. Heath Taylor (five) were responsible for all 12 positives and were summarily suspended by the New Mexico Racing Commission. Keeton had already been suspended last month in Texas for carmoterol positives at Lone Star Park.

Carmoterol is a bronchodilator that is not permitted to appear in post-race tests. As a Class 1 medication, carmoterol positives are subject to potential lengthy suspensions and substantial fines.

New Mexico Racing Commission Executive Director Izzy Trejo said Keeton and Taylor have the right to a hearing on the suspension if one is requested within 10 days. Hezgothelook Z is still considered the Triple Crown winner until due process has run its course. Trejo said the two trainers could face decades of suspensions and large fines if the positives are confirmed, pending rulings by New Mexico stewards.

“This could be career-changing for these people,” Trejo said. “They still have to go through the process. They are out of business for the time being.”

Hezgothelook Z had joined Special Effort as the only the second horse in history to win the Quarter Horse Triple Crown. Hezgothelook Z captured his Triple Crown by winning the All-American Futurity on September 2 at the Downs. He also won the Ruidoso and Rainbow Futurities in the summer of 2024.

Two other horses that ran in the All American Futurity – Mountainaire, who finished fifth for Keeton, and Brink Man V, who finished sixth for Taylor – tested positive for carmoterol. They earned $150,000 and $120,000, respectively, for their efforts..

The first three finishers in the $200,000 All American Juvenile, Aguila Rapida, trained by Keeton, and Superfli and Favorite Fire V, both trained by Taylor tested positive for carmoterol.

The first four finishers in the $1.04 All American Derby had carmoterol positives. The first three were Dashing Tres, Visa, and Shoeless, were all trained by Keeton. Taylor trained The Marksman V to finish fourth.

In the $250,000 All American Gold Cup for older horses, race winner Jess Good Wine, trained by Keeton, and runner-up Flash Bak, trained by Taylor, both had positive tests.

Trejo said the Sept. 2 tests were the first time carmoterol was detected in samples taken from horses that raced in New Mexico.

“It wasn’t until a few months ago that we received intelligence that would lead us in this direction,” he said.

Trejo warned these horses could remain on the stewards’ list for a lengthy period, particularly if any of the owners and trainers involved seek court action.

“These horses could be sitting in their stalls for a couple of years,” Trejo said.

Wednesday’s announcement is part of a continuing trend of carmoterol positives in California and Texas.

Trejo said that all purses for races on September 2, not involving horses that tested positive have been released.

The American Quarter Horse Association put its Racing Champions selection and awards dinner for 2024 on hold pending the outcome of drug tests from major races in several states. One of those races was the sport's premier event, the All American Futurity (G1)  on Sept. 2.

There is a possibility that the association could hold its selection process and announce the 2024 champions during the upcoming AQHA Convention to be held in Las Vegas, Nevada, March 28-31 at the South Point Hotel & Casino.