In hopes of heading off positive drug tests for zilpaterol, the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) is warning trainers of sweet feed products containing a molasses base produced by Purina at its Turlock, Calif., mill.

In an advisory issued March 22, the CHRB said it has concluded a number of such products contain zilpaterol, which is prohibited in racing. Zilpaterol is a beta-2 agonist used to promote weight gain in livestock. Association of Racing Commissioners International classifies zilpaterol as a Class 3 drug with a Category A penalty.

Purina produces a number of sweet feed products under its own name and under the Country Acres brand, according to the CHRB. To date, the organization reported, all the products were milled at the Turlock plant in February and have included Purina Race Ready, Purina Strategy, Purina Omoline-200, Country Acres Horse Feed, and Country Acres Sweet-12. The Turlock plant is designated as "TRL" on the lot number.

The CHRB said it is particularly interested in Purina products from mid-February from Purina’s Turlock mill. If any licensed trainer or feed company has an unopened bag of any Purina brand from mid-February milled at the Turlock plant, please contact the local CHRB investigator