Steve Asmussen, who trains the 2007 Horse of the Year Curlin, is the latest trainer who is set to be grilled by Texas racing officials after one of his horses, Timber Trick, tested positive for the anaesthetic Lidocaine after winning the third race at Lone Star Park on May 10.

Asmussen could be suspended for six months to a year for such a violation.

Meanwhile Rick Dutrow, the trainer of Big Brown, said his latest drug offence had been overblown and insisted that he did not purposely break any rules.

Dutrow, who is concerned that he has been unfairly labelled a cheat, was suspended for 15 days because of drug use by a horse he trains.

Dutrow appealed the suspension yesterday.

The Kentucky Horse Racing Authority announced last week Salute The Count tested positive for an excessive amount of the drug Clenbuterol after finishing second in the Aegon Turf Sprint at Churchill Downs on May 2 - the day before the Kentucky Derby.

Clenbuterol, an approved medication, is used as a bronchial dilator that can help horses with respiratory problems.

Dutrow has been fined or suspended at least once every year since 2000 for medication violations, and earlier this year he found himself defending his decision to give his horses the legal anabolic steroid Winstrol.

He said people were drawing the wrong impression about the most recent positive drug test. "To me, it is just not as big a deal as everyone is trying to make it out to be," he added.

"The last time I got a Clenbuterol positive on some filly, nobody cared, nobody asked me. It's not a big deal for a horse to come up with an overage for Clenbuterol."

Dutrow acknowledged Salute The Count was given an excessive amount of the drug - Kentucky officials said it was more than twice the level of 20 petragrams allowed there - but said it was a result of an administrative error and not because of an effort to enhance the horse's performance.

Dutrow said his staff inadvertently kept the horse on the drug too long.

Michael Dubb, the owner of Salute The Count, supported his trainer.

"In my humble estimation, there are two reasons people use medication for horses," Dubb said.

"One is because they firmly believe it helps the horses and is good for the horses. The other reason is because they want to cheat or think it gives the horses some kind of edge. Rick Dutrow does not cheat. Rick Dutrow is all about his horses. He cares for his horses immensely."

Asmussen, who won the Dubai World Cup with Curlin, has exercised his right to have a split specimen tested at a commission-approved laboratory. He leads the trainers' table in wins (320) and earnings (US$15.2 million).

The commission scheduled a July 18 hearing, and Asmussen could also face fines ranging from US$1,500 to US$2,500 and the loss of prize money.

Asmussen served a six-month suspension in 2006 through January 10, 2007 for two separate drug infractions.

Associated Press