A fourth barn search in less than a week has fueled speculation that California’s newly implemented methodology of post-race testing for the bronchodilator clenbuterol is turning up minuscule positives that could result in accusations against some of the circuit’s best known trainers.


Add Darrell Vienna’s name to the list of at least three other known barn raids staged by the combined forces of the California Horse Racing Board and local police. Previously, the barns of Bruce Headley, Ted West, and Robert Marshall were swept for evidence. Vienna, whose barn was hit on June 11, was in Argentina prospecting for horses at the time.


Vienna, who is also an attorney, is currently representing trainers Mike Harrington and Howard Zucker, both accused of albuterol positives, before the CHRB. Albuterol is also a bronchodilator, though not as potent as clenbuterol.


Bob Nieto, CHRB chief of investigations, declined to comment on the reasons for the barn searches other than to outline the normal reasons for such action to be taken

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