The six horses have been declared ineligible to compete in New Jersey, consistent with the rules of the Racing Commission's new "out-of-competition" testing initiative.
Launched late last year, the new program allows the commission to test horses for illegal substances not only at racetracks but also at horse farms, and at any time. Previously, the commission was only authorized to conduct testing of horses on race day, and only at New Jersey's four racetracks.
Adam of Clarksburg and Slender of Del Mar, Calif., could not be immediately reached for comment on Tuesday.
Acting on a tip, Zanzuccki said racing commission officials tested the horses at Winner's International Farm in Chesterfield in Burlington County last month, and New Jersey State Police on Tuesday searched the farm where the six horses were being kept.
Adams, who has 46 wins in 208 starts this year, stables his horses at Winner's International Farm.
Slender, a California veterinarian, races his horses under the moniker Summersby Stable. He has 10 wins in 57 starts at the Meadowlands this year, No. 2 in the owners' standings, track spokeswoman Amy Silver said.
Based on lab results and other information obtained during the investigation, the commission will conduct a hearing to determine whether Adam and Slender have violated commission rules. Pending the outcome of their respective hearings, both men remain eligible to participate in New Jersey racing.
Under commission rules, a trainer is responsible for the condition of a horse within his or her care and custody.
Violations of the state's testing rules are punishable by a 10-year license suspension and $50,000 fine.
EPO artificially increases red blood cells and hemoglobin, and can enhance oxygen consumption during racing. According to the commission, the use of human EPO products is dangerous to the well-being of the horses because it causes unnatural increases in blood viscosity, which can lead to heart attack or stroke during intense exercise.
The six horses identified as having tested positive for EPO have all raced at Freehold and the Meadowlands in New Jersey this year, and have raced at tracks in New York and Pennsylvania as well.
The six horses are:
- Art Maker, who last raced this past Sunday at Chester Downs,
Pa.
- Jeremy's Successor, who last raced at the Meadowlands on
Sunday.
- Jovial Joker N, who last raced at Saratoga, N.Y., on Sunday.
- JW Dutch Treat, who last raced at Yonkers, N.Y., on April 24.
- Pacific Playboy, who last raced at Chester Downs on Sunday.
- Western Mac, who last raced at Chester Downs on April 20.
