Trainer Toby Keeton faces sweeping penalties after 23 medication violations tied to banned substances during the 2024 Lone Star Park meet.

© Jack Coady Photogrpahy

On April 2, David Holmes, Executive Director of the Texas Racing Commission, issued the following Order of the Executive Director Modifying Penalty.

"On March 27, 2026, the Board of Stewards at Lone Star Park issued a written ruling finding Toby Keeton responsible for twenty-three (23) violations of the Texas Racing Act and Texas Racing Commission rules, arising from post-race urine samples collected between September 14, 2024, and November 15, 2024.

"Twenty-two (22) of the violations involved the Class 1A prohibited substance Carmoterol (a betaagonist). The twenty-third violation involved the Class 1A prohibited substance d-methamphetamine; the Stewards ordered disqualification and purse redistribution for that violation but imposed no fine or suspension.

"The Stewards imposed a single, undifferentiated penalty of $80,000.00 in fines and a sixteen (16) year suspension of Mr. Keeton's occupational license for the twenty-two Carmoterol violations collectively.

"Pursuant to Texas Racing Act §2023.107 and 16 TAC §307.69, I have reviewed the ruling and the record of the proceeding, including exhibits, testimony, arguments of counsel, and the written closing statements submitted by the parties. I have also considered the

Commission's Classification of Prohibited Substances and Schedule of Recommended Disciplinary Action promulgated by the executive director pursuant to 16 TAC §319.304(b). For the reasons set forth below, I am modifying the penalty."

Keeton, whose horses earned more than $7.6 million in 2024, had unresolved issues in other racing jurisdictions.

CLICK HERE for the complete ruling.

The original article is posted below.

GRANDE PRAIRIE, TX–APRIL 1, 2026–Trainer Toby Keeton has been handed a 16-year suspension and fined $80,000 by the Texas Racing Commission following multiple serious medication violations.

In a ruling dated March 26, 2026, regulators found that 22 horses under Keeton’s care tested positive for the Class 1A substance carmoterol during the 2024 Lone Star Park fall meet, while a 23rd horse tested positive for d-methamphetamine, also a Class 1A substance. Carmoterol, an unapproved beta-2 agonist with potent, long-acting effects, is strictly prohibited in racing.

The suspension is retroactive to Jan. 30, 2025, and will run through Jan. 29, 2041. All 23 horses were disqualified, with purse money ordered returned.

The ruling followed a three-day hearing in February, with final arguments submitted March 11. Under Texas law, possession of prohibited substances with intent to affect a race constitutes a third-degree felony, and beta-agonists are banned at all times under commission rules.

Keeton, who has not started a horse since December 2024, is one of several prominent trainers facing sanctions tied to carmoterol positives nationwide. His suspension has already been reciprocated in New Mexico.

The case also casts a shadow over major 2024 performances in New Mexico. Separately, Keeton has filed an ongoing civil lawsuit in that state alleging regulatory misconduct related to testing procedures and records access. No rulings have been issued there regarding the affected races.

For a list of the disqualified horses, see related story in the Paulick Report.