Louisiana State Police found hypodermic needles, syringes, and injectable medications at Eduardo Morales’ Delta Downs barn

© Hodges Photography

By Chelsea Hackbarth, Paulick Report

VINTON, LA–JULY 1, 2026–A trio of Quarter Horse trainers has been sanctioned after a June 29, 2026, meeting of the Louisiana State Racing Commission, according to a statement posted on the commission’s website.

Eduardo L. Morales, a multiple graded stakes-winning trainer, was handed an immediate lifetime ban after the Louisiana State Police found “an extensive cache of unauthorized contraband including hypodermic needles, syringes, and injectable medications” in his Delta Downs barn in Vinton, La.

Under a formal plea agreement, trainer Esau Hernandez was suspended for two years (through June 29, 2028), placed on a subsequent two-year probation (through June 30, 2030), and two horses were disqualified. The meeting notice indicates that Hernandez had two horses test positive for diisopropylamine (DIPA), a vasodilator classified as Drug Class 2, Penalty Class B under the Association of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI) guidelines.

The two horses in Hernandez’s case were: Cowboy Reason MV (finished second in the seventh race, a trial for the Firecracker Derby, at Delta Downs on June 13) and Hes No Yes Man (winner of the fifth race, a trial for the Firecracker Futurity, at Delta Downs on June 12). Both horses were disqualified, with purse money ordered returned. Hernandez waived all rights to appeal.

Under a formal plea agreement, trainer Alex P. Clark received a six-month suspension (through Dec. 17, 2026), a one-year probation, a $1,000 fine, and a purse disqualification, with any violation of probation triggering an automatic one-year suspension. Clark had one horse, Fullmoonovrmanhattan, test positive for diisopropylamine (DIPA) after winning the Louisiana Bred Lassie Juvenile Stakes at Delta Downs on May 22. Clark waived all rights to appeal.

According to the Louisiana Commission, “These three trainers had a combined 102 horses under their care at the time of the suspensions. In order to compete again, each of these horses must be transferred to a licensed Louisiana trainer, work in front of an LSRC Veterinarian, and have a clear blood and urine test. The transfer must be approved by an LSRC State Steward, and a fee of $500 must be paid for each horse to cover the cost of these protocols.”

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