State bans use of performance-enhancing drugs for racehorses

Following 15 other states, Massachusetts yesterday banned the use of performance-enhancing drugs for racehorses, adopting a national model policy aimed at protecting horses.

The ban will go into effect Jan. 1, months before the start of the 2009 harness and thoroughbred seasons. Officials with the state's racing commission said there has not been widespread steroid abuse in the commonwealth, and that despite the fact that steroids build muscle, there is no conclusive evidence that taking them translates into faster times.

"The adoption of the ban is not to imply there is a problem," said Joseph VanDeventer, the executive secretary of the Massachusetts Racing Commission. "We're just implementing national standards."

There are as many as 1,400 racehorses at Suffolk Downs in East Boston and Plainridge Racecourse in Plainville, according to racing officials.

Alexandra Lightbown, the commission's chief veterinarian, said the ban comes from Congress's crackdown on steroid abuse among human athletes. "It's become a national issue because of the human side of the story . . . If there is a ban for humans, then why not animals."

Chuck Andre, the executive director of the Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, said his organization is in full support of the ban. The association, which represents 1,700 thoroughbred owners statewide, is based at Suffolk Downs.

"The industry continues to make strides toward the development of the health, welfare, and safety of the equine athlete, and the HBPA advocates and supports the process that standardizes the best practices for the racing industry," he said.

Pamela Angevine, who has trained racehorses at Suffolk Downs for 15 years, said the use of steroids in the state appears to be minimal. "I myself have never used them for any of my horses and I don't know anyone who has. We've been very successful without steroids. To some horses, maybe it would be therapeutic if they tend to tie up, but other than that I don't see where it would enhance their performance. The stallions already produce their own naturally and they are hard enough to handle."

Testing will be conducted at races. The winner and a horse chosen randomly among the field will be tested through urine analysis, said Walter J. Sullivan Jr., executive director of the racing commission.

Safety group's mission

Nationally, thoroughbred racing got a set of ground rules, a series of sweeping safety and integrity reforms that will be monitored by former Wisconsin's governor, Tommy Thompson. The initiatives call for a ban on steroids, uniform medication rules for each racing state, guidelines for injury reporting and prevention, improved safety rules and research, and care for retired racehorses. The alliance consists of 54 racetracks in 22 states and Canada, including Churchill Downs, Santa Anita, and New York tracks Aqueduct, Belmont, and Saratoga, as well as most major horsemen's organizations. Alex Waldrop, president of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, which brought together the alliance, said the initiatives are the "broadest and most comprehensive safety and integrity reforms in the history of racing." The reforms come at a time when thoroughbred racing is under pressure to create safer conditions for horses and jockeys. Scrutiny grew after the death of Eight Belles at the end of the Kentucky Derby and the admission by trainer Rick Dutrow that his Derby and Preakness winner, Big Brown, raced on steroids, a practice that was legal at the time . . . Keeneland will handle the sale of a minority share of Curlin, the richest American racehorse ever. The deadline is Nov. 5 for submitting sealed bids for the 20 percent stake in the 2007 Horse of the Year and Breeders' Cup Classic winner. A judge had ordered the minority share be sold to help satisfy a $42 million civil judgment against the horse's minority owners, William Gallion and Shirley Cunningham.

Material from the Associated Press was used in this report.