Racehorse tests positive for meth, trainer challenges suspension

A racehorse named "J's On Fire" tested positive for methamphetamine after finishing second in a race at the American Quarter Horse Association Racing Challenge last fall, resulting in the suspension of its trainer, Michael Joiner, by the New Mexico Racing Commission. (KOAT via CNN Newsource)

ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico (KOAT) -- A racehorse named “J’s On Fire” tested positive for methamphetamine after finishing second in a race at the American Quarter Horse Association Racing Challenge last fall, resulting in the suspension of its trainer, Michael Joiner, by the New Mexico Racing Commission.

Billy Blackburn, Joiner’s attorney, said, “The New Mexico Racing Commission suspended him immediately without a hearing.”

J’s On Fire tested positive for 0.485 nanograms of methamphetamine, which Blackburn described as “very, very, very small” and “invisible to see with the naked eye.”

Following the suspension, Blackburn filed an emergency temporary restraining order, allowing Joiner to continue working.

“We had to prove that we needed a restraining order in front of the judge yesterday. She ruled in our favour, and now he is able to go back to racing ... until he has a disciplinary hearing in New Mexico,” Blackburn said.

According to Ismael Trejo, the commission is waiting on a second test sample to come back from the laboratory. After that, the commission will determine whether Joiner’s license will be suspended or not.

Blackburn cites environmental contamination as the reason why Joiner’s horse had meth in its system, saying this happens when anyone is using meth around the animal.

According to Joiner’s attorney, he has been a horse trainer since 1979 and only faced one suspension back in 1981.