New Mexico Racing Commission summarily suspends trainers Toby Keeton, Heath Taylor
Hezgothelook Z, winner of the $3 million All American Futurity in 2024, and 11 other horses have tested positive for the banned medication carmoterol from races at The Downs at Albuquerque.
The All American Futurity is the most recognizable quarter horse race in the world and is the Kentucky Derby of horse quarter horse racing.
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 in Texas for carmoterol positives at Lone Star Park.
Hezgothelook Z captured the Triple Crown of quarter horse racing at the Downs at Albuquerque by winning the All-American Futurity on Sept. 2. Hezgothelook Z also won the Ruidoso and Rainbow Futurities in the summer of 2024.
New Mexico Racing Commission Executive Director Izzy Trejo said Keeton and Taylor and Keeton 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.
The New Mexico positive drug tests were made public on Wednesday, Feb. 12.
The owner of Hezgothelook Z is Triple One Ranch.
The American Quarter Horse Association announced in December that its Racing Champions selection and awards dinner for 2024 was being put 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 at New Mexico’s Downs at Albuquerque, won by Hezgothelook Z, owned by Triple One Ranch and trained by Keeton.
Keeton had 11 starters and four winners on the All American Futurity day card, which was moved to Albuquerque after fires and flooding forced Ruidoso Downs to curtail its summer race meet.
In addition to Hezgothelook Z’s victory in the day’s biggest race, Keeton sent out Aquila Rapida to win the $200,000 All American Juvenile; Dashing Tres, Visa, Shoeless, and Cuz Lightyear, the 1-2-3-5 finishers in the $1 million All American Derby; and Jess Good Wine, winner of the $250,000 All American Gold Cup.
Felix F. Chavez can be reached at fchavez@elpasotimes.com; @Fchavezeptimes on X.
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