Giddyup ‘n go: Greyhounds test positive for cocaine

By at 15 July, 2010, 9:05 am

Two Jacksonville greyhound trainers, Amy Willis and Gerald Rhodes, are facing possible sanctions from the state’s division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering after their racing dogs tested positive for tiny amounts of cocaine early this year, reports The Florida Times-Union in Jacksonville. Willis’ dog, Scotty Smalls, was randomly tested at Orange Park Kennel Club before a winning race in January. The dog tested positive for 20 nanograms of benzoylecgonine, a metabolite produced from cocaine use. Also in January Rhodes’ greyhound, Gs Rae, tested positive for 134 nanograms of benzoylecgonine and 16 nanograms of another cocaine metabolite. Gs Rae finished fourth, reports the Times-Union. A nanogram is one billionth of a gram. The trainers’ atorney pointed out that

dogs are surrendered to track employees 1 1/2 hours before a race, reports the Tiimes-Union. But William Lambert, the head of the Jacksonville-based Greyhound Owners Association, doesn’t think the doping was intentional or intended to have performance-enhancing effects, reports the Times-Union. “If you love them, take care of them and feed them good, they’ll give you 100 percent every time they go out,” Lambert told the Times-Union. “There’s nothing you can give them that’ll make them run faster.” There have been recent positive tests reported at dog tracks in Palm Beach and Birmingham, Ala. Image: adoptagreyhound.com More FloriDUH

Originally posted here:
Giddyup ‘n go: Greyhounds test positive for cocaine

Categories : Florida




No comments yet.

Leave a comment