by Frank Angst

Stephanie Beattie, who ranked seventh among North American trainers with 170 wins through Wednesday, is serving a 15-day suspension for a clenbuterol positive.

On August 2 at the Charles Town Races, Beattie saddled Butler to victory in a $10,000 claiming race. Butler later was disqualified and placed last in the field of seven when the four-year-old gelding tested positive for clenbuterol.

Charles Town Chief Steward Danny Wright said Beattie had requested a second test of the sample. When that test also showed up positive for the bronchodilator, she accepted her 15-day suspension. Wright said that Beattie did not receive a fine because it was her first clenbuterol positive.

Wright said Beattie barn likely administered the clenbuterol too close to race day.

Beattie’s trainees have won 170 races from 476 starts, a 36% win rate. That win percentage is the best of any of the ten leading trainers by wins. Her horses finish in the money 63% of the time.

In June, trainer Richard Dutrow Jr., who ranks ninth in wins this season, received a 15-day suspension from Kentucky regulators for a clenbuterol positive at Churchill Downs.

Frank Angst is a senior staff writer of Thoroughbred Times