Nevada’s top gaming authority has revoked the license of horse trainer Alvaro Torres and imposed strict penalties after one of his racehorses tested positive for cocaine following a race win. On Thursday, the Nevada Gaming Commission delivered a unanimous 4-0 decision to revoke Torres’ license for five years, fine him $5,000, and bar him from participating in any horse racing activity overseen by the state for that duration.

Torres, the trainer behind a horse named The Saime Pro, was not present at the commission’s meeting in Las Vegas and did not offer any comment or defense regarding the case.

The incident took place during the second race at the Elko County Fair on August 24. After winning a $7,000 purse, The Saime Pro was subjected to standard post-race drug testing. Lab results revealed the presence of cocaine and a primary metabolite in the horse’s urine sample, triggering a regulatory response that ultimately reshaped the case into a landmark disciplinary action.

Elevated Sanctions from State Regulators

Initially, Nevada State Racing Steward Doug Ray had issued the highest penalty within his authority: a $1,000 fine and a 180-day suspension of Torres’ license. As a result of the violation, the race’s prize money was redistributed to the runners-up. However, the severity of the offense led Ray to seek further punishment, escalating the case to the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) and then to the Commission for stronger sanctions.

This marked the first time a steward had used the appeal process to push for harsher penalties in a case involving doping, despite the authority to do so existing for decades.

At an earlier April 9 meeting, the NGCB reviewed the case and recommended a license revocation, an extended five-year ban, and an additional $4,000 fine. The Commission upheld these recommendations in full at the April 24 meeting.

Officials Express Outrage Over Animal Abuse

The reaction from gaming regulators was intense, with several expressing frustration and concern over the potential danger Torres’ actions posed to the horse and the sport. “This is outrageous,” said Commission member George Assad, according to Las Vegas Review-Journal. “Drugging a horse with cocaine, he could have killed the horse. That’s just unacceptable. I have no tolerance for people who abuse animals like that.”

Deputy Attorney General John Michela, who presented the case to the board, underscored the significance of this being the first instance where a steward formally requested escalated punishment. Michela stated, “The state steward referred this matter to you because of its severity.”

Board Chair Kirk Hendrick echoed those sentiments, emphasizing both the ethical breach and public safety risks associated with doping. “Whenever you dope an animal, there’s a high risk to the animal, as well as participants in the race,” he said. Hendrick also raised concerns over how Torres may have acquired the cocaine, suggesting that law enforcement authorities might need to investigate further.

Board member Chandeni Sendall described the conduct as “egregious” and stated that she hoped the horse remained unharmed. She joined the call for tougher action, saying that the original penalties were insufficient to reflect the seriousness of the offense.

Impact on Nevada’s Limited Horse Racing Scene

Horse racing in Nevada is a relatively rare event, with just two state-authorized annual race meets—one in Elko County and the other in Ely, White Pine County. The Elko County Fair, where this incident occurred, is part of the broader effort to attract tourism to rural areas in eastern Nevada.

The upcoming Ely races are scheduled for August 15-17, while Elko County will host six days of racing around Labor Day weekend. Due to the limited nature of the sport in the state, officials emphasized the importance of maintaining integrity and public trust in these events.

Board Chair Hendrick concluded by suggesting Torres should consider stepping away from Nevada’s racing industry for good. “My guess is Mr. Torres should stay out of Nevada’s racing industry for the rest of his life,” he remarked. As of now, Torres remains barred from reapplying for a license for five years, and officials have hinted that additional investigations may stem from the case.