by Frank Angst

Top trainer Steve Asmussen, who conditions reigning Horse of the Year Curlin, faces the possibility of a long suspension after an alleged drug positive in Texas.

The Texas Racing Commission said Asmussen starter Timber Trick tested positive for lidocaine after winning the third race on May 10 at Lone Star Park. The commission informed Asmussen of the positive on Thursday and set a stewards’ hearing for July 18.

Asmussen exercised his right to have a split sample tested at a commission-approved laboratory.

Lidocaine, a local anesthetic, is a Class 2 drug that the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium says has a high potential to affect performance but does have some recognized therapeutic use in horses out of training. Texas does not allow any level of lidocaine in a horse on race day.

For such a violation, Texas rules call for a suspension between six and 12 months and a fine between $1,500 and $2,500, along with the usual forfeiture of purse money.

The test follows on the heels of well-publicized positive drug tests for prominent trainers Richard Dutrow Jr. in Kentucky and Larry Jones in Delaware. Asmussen served concurrent six-month suspensions in 2006 through January 10, 2007 for a mepivacaine infraction at Evangeline Downs and an acepromazine violation at Sunland Park.

Timber Trick won the May 10 maiden race at Lone Star by seven lengths for owner Gainesway Stable. Since then, the filly registered a second-place finish in an allowance race at Lone Star on June 6.

Asmussen, 42, currently ranks first in earnings by a North American trainer, which counting his victory with Curlin in the Emirates Airline Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) are at $15,256,333 this year. Asmussen lives in Arlington, Texas, and typically trains many of his top young horses at Sam Houston Race Park. He earned his 4,000th career win earlier this season and won his tenth straight Lone Star training title.

During Asmussen’s 2006 suspension, assistant Scott Blasi took over his stable. Blasi earned six graded stakes wins and 35 total stakes victories during that stretch.

Frank Angst is senior writer for Thoroughbred Times