Quarter horse trainer Toby Keeton, who guided Hezgothelook Z to Triple Crown, suspended

Posted by author February 2, 2025 Horse Racing

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Quarter horse trainer Toby Keeton, who guided Hezgothelook Z to the Quarter Horse Triple Crown for 2-year-olds in 2024, has been summarily suspended by the Texas Racing Commission as of Jan. 30.

Keeton allegedly has “multiple positive tests” pending for the experimental bronchodilator “carmoterol” during the Lone Star Park Quarter Horse meet that wrapped up in November.

The ruling lists the violation date for as Sept. 14, 2024, when Keeton saddled two Dash for Cash Futurity trial winners from 10 starters at Lone Star Park.

Hezgothelook Z, captured the Triple Crown at the Downs at Albuquerque, by capturing the All American Futurity on Sept. 2. Hezgothelook Z also won the Ruidoso and Rainbow Futurities.

The All American Futurity is typically run at Ruidoso Downs Race Track and Casino, but was moved to Albuquerque due to floods that damaged the Ruidoso track.

Keeton has the right to a hearing on the suspension if one is requested within seven days. Under Texas Racing Act law, possession of a prohibited substance “with the intent to influence or affect a horse or greyhound race” is classified as a third-degree felony. Under Texas Racing Commission rules 319.3, “beta-agonists are prohibited substances and shall not be administered to a horse participating in racing at any time.”

Felix F. Chavez can be reached at fchavez@elpasotimes.com; @Fchavezeptimes on X