Alex Torres-Casas, the top Quarter Horse trainer at the 2026 Bally’s Arapahoe Park meet, is facing a six-month suspension following an investigation by the Colorado Division of Racing Events that uncovered prohibited items in his barn. The Arapahoe Park meet, held in Aurora, Colorado, ran from June 12 to August 16, 2026.
As per an amended settlement and report obtained through the Colorado Open Records Act by the Paulick Report, officials conducted a routine inspection of Torres-Casas’ barn on August 15. During the search, they found a bottle of the prescription antibiotic Sulfamethoxazole and Trimethoprim without a valid prescription label in his tack room. Further examination of the bottle revealed a hidden “buzzer,” an electrical device often used to manipulate a horse’s speed during races or workouts.
Sulfamethoxazole and Trimethoprim is commonly prescribed to treat respiratory infections in horses. According to the documented agreement, Torres-Casas admitted to breaking three Colorado racing regulations: possessing an electrical device or similar appliance intended to alter a horse’s speed, holding substances that could modify a racing animal’s performance without veterinary credentials, and having unauthorized medication without proper labeling.
As a result, the division imposed a 180-day suspension starting August 15 and ending February 17, 2027, and fined Torres-Casas $2,500. The case has been forwarded to the Colorado Racing Commission for potential additional penalties, with their next meeting scheduled for December 9.
During the Arapahoe Park meet, Torres-Casas secured nine wins out of 41 starts, earning more than $110,000. He is recognized as a multiple stakes-winning trainer but has not entered any horses in races since August 14 at Arapahoe Park.
This report was first published by the Paulick Report on September 17, 2026, in their News section.
Fan Take: This development highlights the ongoing challenges of maintaining integrity and fairness in horse racing. Ensuring strict enforcement against performance-altering devices and medications is essential to protect the sport’s reputation and the welfare of the horses involved.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
