By Bill Finley
According to the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU), a horse from the barn of veteran trainer Phil Serpe tested positive for the banned substance clenbuterol on Aug. 10.
The alleged positive occurred in a $30,000 claiming race at Saratoga, which was won by the Serpe-trained Fast Kimmie (Oscar Performance).
The horse has been banned from competing for 14 months from the time of the violation. Serpe's status is on hold since he has the right to request that the B Sample is analyzed. If that sample also comes back positive, Serpe could be facing a provisional suspension of up to two years.
Serpe denied any wrong doing.
“I really can't comment on this right now,” Serpe said. “The only thing I can tell you is I do not use and never have used any kind of illegal medication. We certainly haven't used any clenbuterol. I don't even know the last time I saw clenbuterol. We're still in the middle of figuring out what to do. Over 8,000 starts never have I had a single drug violation.”
Serpe, who has been a licensed trainer since 1984, has won 1,080 races from 8,045 starts.
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