Horse trainer Dutrow appeals suspension

LEXINGTON, Ky., June 25 (UPI) -- Rick Dutrow Jr., the winning Kentucky Derby trainer, said he would appeal penalties levied because one of his horses allegedly tested for too much of a drug.

Salute the Count, a horse trained by Dutrow, reportedly showed twice the allowable level of Clenbuterol on May 2. The horse had finished second at a $100,000 stakes race at Churchill Downs. That race was run the day before Dutrow-trained Big Brown won the Kentucky Derby at the same track.

The Kentucky Horse Racing Authority handed down a ruling Wednesday saying Dutrow could be suspended for 15 days and Salute the Count's owner must return $20,000 won in the race.

Dutrow said he would appeal the decision.

Clenbuterol increases lung capacity. Although legal for use on horses, it is not to be given a horse within 72 hours of a race in Kentucky. Other states have different usage rules.

Dutrow has been suspended at least once each year since 2000 for medication violations.