LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Rick Dutrow, the outspoken trainer of Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Big Brown, is facing a 15-day suspension by Kentucky racing officials after another horse he trains exceeded the allowable limit for a drug that enables horses to breathe easier while exercising.
Two drug tests on 8-year-old gelding Salute the Count revealed the horse had twice the allowable limit of Clenbuterol in his system after finishing second in the Aegon Turf Sprint at Churchill Downs on May 2, said John Veitch, chief state steward of the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority.
Dutrow waived his right to a hearing but plans to file a written appeal, which he must do within 10 days.
• Jockey Jeremy Rose apologized for striking his mount in the head with a whip, a day after he was given a six- month suspension at Delaware Park.
Rose, who won the 2005 Preakness and Belmont Stakes aboard Afleet Alex, was suspended for striking Appeal to the City during Monday’s third race. He struck the mare on the side of her head, and the horse had some hemorrhaging around one eye.
“I want everyone to know that this was an accident and not an intentional act on my part,” Rose said. “I did not mean to hit her in the face.”
Rose will not ride until an appeal of the Delaware Park stewards’ decision is heard July 22.
Sharks sign Pavelski, Roenick, Boucher
SAN JOSE, Calif. — The San Jose Sharks re-signed forwards Joe Pavelski and Jeremy Roenick and goaltender Brian Boucher.
• The Tampa Bay Lightning bought out the final season of former Avs goalie Marc Denis’ contract.
• The Phoenix Coyotes acquired Brian McGrattan from the Ottawa Senators, trading a fifth-round pick in the 2009 NHL draft for the right winger.
• The Vancouver Canucks claimed forward Kyle Wellwood off waivers from the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Footnotes.
Geno Auriemma signed a five-year, $8 million contract extension that will keep the Hall of Fame women’s basketball coach on Connecticut’s sideline through 2013.
• Connecticut assistant Tonya Cardoza will replace Dawn Staley as women’s basketball coach at Temple.
• Duquesne men’s basketball coach Ron Everhart signed a three-year contract extension that runs through the 2013-14 season.
• Banned sprinter Justin Gatlin took his doping appeal to the next level, asking the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta that he be allowed to compete in the U.S. Track and Field Olympic Trials beginning Saturday in Eugene, Ore.
• Donny Robinson, the world’s top-ranked BMX racer, will fill the third spot on the U.S. men’s team headed to the Beijing Games. He’ll join automatic qualifiers Kyle Bennett and Mike Day on the team.
• The U.S. Olympic Committee is taking over USA Fencing’s high performance program for this year’s Olympics, citing financial problems for the sport’s national governing body.
• France’s anti-doping agency has conducted tests on 30 Tour de France cyclists and plans more targeted checks before the race starts July 5.
The Associated Press
