SACRAMENTO, CA—DECEMBER 1, 2014—In a ruling handed down last Tuesday (Nov. 25), the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) has suspended Quarter Horse trainer Jose De La Torre for three years, plus 60 days, and fined him $160,000 for multiple medication violations for the bronchodilator clenbuterol.

According to the ruling, De La Torre received the four positive tests from late September to late November 2013. He was the fourth-leading money-winning Quarter Horse trainer in North American in 2013.

A recommendation by hearing officer Daniel Q. Schiffer in August for a two-year suspension and $100,000 fine was rejected and amended by the CHRB, which opted to increase the penalties because of aggravating factors.

De La Torre received nine positives for clenbuterol in 2008 and 2009 and received an aggregate 60-day suspension and $25,000 fine, according to Daily Racing Form. Under CHRB rules, clenbuterol is considered a Class 3 drug in accordance with the classification system adopted by the Association of Racing Commissioners International.

In its decision, the CHRB said De La Torre was notified of the first 2013 positive on Sept. 29 (second-place finisher Zoomdasher) prior to getting a second positive on Oct. 25 (first-place finisher Carlota). He received two additional positives on Nov. 24 (first-place finisher Walked Away and first-place finisher Harrisburg).

“(De La Torre) could have prevented the succeeding violations, but instead chose to run three horses in three separate races which he knew or should have known had clenbuterol in their systems,” the CHRB wrote in its ruling. “This pattern of conduct is contrary to the interests over whom the California Horse Racing Board is charged to protect, including, those of the wagering public, the other participants in the races, and horse owners and the horses themselves.”

De La Torre was represented in the case by attorney Darrell Vienna, a Thoroughbred trainer.

“We intend to make it clear you better play by the rules or suffer extreme consequences,” CHRB chairman Chuck Winner told the Paulick Report. “In this case, someone continued to not play by the rules, over and over again. He was disregarding what we and everyone else wants this game to be: on the level and fair and square for everyone.”