Steriods Targeted by Stakes Committee

[ALostTexan]

I am glad that this is finally going to begin to be addressed. Looks like the Graded Stakes Committee is going to begin testing for 4 steroids next year, which is obviously not a moment too soon, since the story in the DRF stated that steroids were "present in at least half of the post-race samples of horses that won 30 graded stakes last year".

This is far from over with this move, but at least it is a beginning...

[Riot]

It would be nice if they address it at the young horse sales, too.

[ARyan]

Originally Posted by Riot

It would be nice if they address it at the young horse sales, too.

Very, very good point! If they are going to do this, it should be across the board.

[ALostTexan]

Agreed, but you have to start somewhere, and the most high-profile races are a good starting point...

[Riot]

Originally Posted by ARyan

Very, very good point! If they are going to do this, it should be across the board.

It would be nice if the "muscle" one purchased stayed around for more than 60 days and didn't magically melt away

[gamblin4ever]

Why not just race w/o drugs like the horses across the ocean,say starting Jan. 1st 2008.

That gives all trainers time to clear the horse's system of drugs.
If a horse needs drugs to race then he doesnt race.
If drugs are found in the horse's system, the trainer is suspended for 6mos. at least and no horses under his care can run until he comes back.
Owners will have to transfer the horses out to a different trainer to run.

Just my opinion.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by gamblin4ever

Why not just race w/o drugs like the horses across the ocean,say starting Jan. 1st 2008.

That gives all trainers time to clear the horse's system of drugs.
If a horse needs drugs to race then he doesnt race.
If drugs are found in the horse's system, the trainer is suspended for 6mos. at least and no horses under his care can run until he comes back.
Owners will have to transfer the horses out to a different trainer to run.

Just my opinion.

Because the people in power in this country wont do the necessary work to determine the levels at which a horse is presumed to be "on drugs" so that we will have valid, workable, and reasonable rules to follow. As it is now you can follow the "rules" and still get a test that says that you were over the limit. Despite no one telling you what that limit is until AFTER you get a positive test. Dont be tricked into thinking that trainers dont use medication in other countries. They just have a much better system of determining what a positive test is and how much withdrawal time you have for each drug.

[ALostTexan]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

Because the people in power in this country wont do the necessary work to determine the levels at which a horse is presumed to be "on drugs" so that we will have valid, workable, and reasonable rules to follow. As it is now you can follow the "rules" and still get a test that says that you were over the limit. Despite no one telling you what that limit is until AFTER you get a positive test. Dont be tricked into thinking that trainers dont use medication in other countries. They just have a much better system of determining what a positive test is and how much withdrawal time you have for each drug.

I agree 100%. I love it when people state that everyone else runs without drugs, knowing that it isn't true. You are exactly right, they simply understand the rules, and know when they will get caught...

[horseofcourse]

Horse racing needs to leave Barry Bonds alone.