Paulick.
La Verdad in her Honorable Miss victory
The New York stewards have advised trainer Linda Rice that her filly, La Verdad, has tested positive for clenbuterol following the Grade 2 Honorable Miss Stakes, according to a report from the Daily Racing Form. Rice told reporter David Grening on Monday that she has requested a split sample of urine and blood be sent out, because she has not treated La Verdad or any of her other 54 horses with clenbuterol.

The distribution of the July 29 race’s purse is being held until the matter is resolved.

Clenbuterol is a breathing medication believed to have side effects similar to anabolic steroids in racehorses. Guidelines in New York call for the drug to be withdrawn 14 days ahead of race day.

Officials in New York confirmed to Grening that an investigation was being conducted in Rice’s barn, though they would not confirm what drug they were looking for. Rice said she invited officials to look through the barn, since she says she does not even possess any of the medication.



Rice is preparing La Verdad for a run in the Grade 2 Gallant Bloom at Belmont next month. The winner of over $1.1 million was entered in the Grade 1 Ballerina but scratched due to inflammation in a hind leg, which Rice said was not related to the drug overage case.