STEROID USE DISCUSSED

January 20, 2007

Racing regulators in California continue to examine controls on the use of steroids and clenbuterol in racing.

According to an article by Tracy Gantz on www.blood-horse.com, California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) chairman Richard Shapiro, executive director Ingrid Fermin, and equine medical director Dr. Rick Arthur met with trainers at Santa Anita to discuss plans to control these medications.

The CHRB medication committee had suggested a 28-day withdrawal period for clenbuterol, but now seems to be leaning toward a 72-hour withdrawal and changing from urine tests to blood tests. Blood tests can detect clenbuterol administered immediately before a race, Arthur said.

Shapiro acknowledged clenbuterol as a useful tool in horse health care, but said that it could also be considered a performance-enhancing product.

“Is it being used for competitive advantage or is it for the welfare of the horse?” he asked.

The CHRB is working in conjunction with the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium (RMTC) to impose restrictions on steroids in racing. The RMTC medication committee meets next on Jan. 23.