New Mexico Racing Commission summarily suspends trainers Toby Keeton, Heath Taylor

Posted by author February 12, 2025 Horse Racing

Hezgothelook Z, winner of the $3 million All American Futurity in 2024, and 11 other horses have tested positive for the banned medication carmoterol from races at The Downs at Albuquerque.

The All American Futurity is the most recognizable quarter horse race in the world and is the Kentucky Derby of horse quarter horse racing.

Trainers Toby Keeton (seven) and M. Heath Taylor (five) were responsible for all 12 positives and were summarily suspended by the New Mexico Racing Commission. Keeton had already been suspended in Texas for carmoterol positives at Lone Star Park.

Hezgothelook Z captured the Triple Crown of quarter horse racing at the Downs at Albuquerque by winning the All-American Futurity on Sept. 2. Hezgothelook Z also won the Ruidoso and Rainbow Futurities in the summer of 2024.

New Mexico Racing Commission Executive Director Izzy Trejo said Keeton and Taylor and Keeton have the right to a hearing on the suspension if one is requested within 10 days. Hezgothelook Z is still considered the Triple Crown winner until due process has run its course.

The New Mexico positive drug tests were made public on Wednesday, Feb. 12.

The owner of Hezgothelook Z is Triple One Ranch.

The American Quarter Horse Association announced in December that its Racing Champions selection and awards dinner for 2024 was being put on hold pending the outcome of drug tests from major races in several states. One of those races was the sport’s premier event, the All American Futurity (G1) on Sept. 2 at New Mexico’s Downs at Albuquerque, won by Hezgothelook Z, owned by Triple One Ranch and trained by Keeton.

Keeton had 11 starters and four winners on the All American Futurity day card, which was moved to Albuquerque after fires and flooding forced Ruidoso Downs to curtail its summer race meet.

In addition to Hezgothelook Z’s victory in the day’s biggest race, Keeton sent out Aquila Rapida to win the $200,000 All American Juvenile; Dashing Tres, Visa, Shoeless, and Cuz Lightyear, the 1-2-3-5 finishers in the $1 million All American Derby; and Jess Good Wine, winner of the $250,000 All American Gold Cup.

The 12 horses, who tested positive

Aguila Rapida, winner of the All American Juvenile and trained by Keeton.
Superfli, second in the All American Juvenile and trained by Taylor.
Favorite Fire V, third in the All American Juvenile and trained by Taylor.
Dashing Tres, first in the All American Derby and trained by Keeton.
Visa, second in the All American Derby and trained by Keeton.
Shoeless, third in the All American Derby and trained by Keeton.
The Marksman V, 4th in the All American Derby, trained by Taylor.
Hezgothelook Z, first in the All American Futurity, trained by Keeton.
Mountainare, 5th in the All American Futurity, trained by Keeton.
Brinkman V, 6th in the All American Futurity, trained by Taylor.
Jess Good Wine, first in the All American Gold Cup, trained by Keeton.
Flash Bak, 2nd in the All American Gold Cup, trained by Taylor.

Who stands to be the 2024 All American Futurity?

If Hezgothelook Z is stripped of the All American Futurity victory, the second-place finisher, Kj Bad Moon Rising stands to be the winner. He is trained by Wes T. Giles and owned by John and Kathy Lee.

What did NMRC Executive Director Izyy Trejo said

“Today the cat caught the mouse.” Trejo said. “It’s with mixed emotions we announce this. We are glad the testing works, but at the same time it happened on such a big day of racing.”

Felix F. Chavez can be reached at fchavez@elpasotimes.com; @Fchavezeptimes on X