More time is needed to get all racing states aboard the steroid ban.

April 1, 2008, was supposed to be a watershed date for racing in the Mid-Atlantic region. Acting in unison (the first time this has occurred for a major change in medication rules), states within the region were to implement a race-day ban on anabolic steroids.

It seemed almost too simple to be true. And apparently it was.

While each of the states appears ready to accept the model rules proposed by the Association of Racing Commissioners International and Racing Medication and Testing Consortium, achieving the regulatory changes will take time. More time than originally anticipated.

Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association president Alan Foreman is now proposing a broader approach—a national ban, to begin January 1, 2009. That would appear to be the most rational way to go.

Playing under different rules is inherently unfair to horsemen, particularly in the Mid-Atlantic region where horses ship frequently from one state to another to race.

As Foreman points out, the purpose of the ban is to eliminate the use of steroids—not to create a situation that will cause trainers to pile up infractions.

Because it takes as many as 120 days for steroids to leave a horse’s system, a piecemeal ban would wreak havoc for many trainers, especially those who make their livelihood through the claim box. There could also be a rash of positive tests from horses moving into the Mid-Atlantic region after spending the winter in Florida and Louisiana, where steroid use is not currently regulated.

The Mid-Atlantic states are ahead of the curve in making moves to ban steroids. States in other regions are working in that direction but remain in the early stages of the process.
Delaware and Virginia are the only Mid-Atlantic racing states that have the necessary regulatory changes firmly in place. Delaware has announced that it will begin testing for steroids with its 2008 meet that begins on April 19. Virginia banned all steroids (without actually testing for them) until 2007, when it modified its rules so that its new testing lab would not discourage horsemen from racing in that state. The model rules were to be implemented at this year’s Colonial Downs meet that will begin in early June.

Maryland is working toward the rules change, but the process won’t be complete by April 1, according to Maryland Racing Commission executive director Mike Hopkins.

Pennsylvania may face delays in taking action, because of a possible restructuring of its racing commission.

New Jersey could have the necessary rules changes in place by the opening of the Monmouth meet on May 9. And West Virginia is expected to follow the lead of other states within the region, said Foreman.

New York has participated as part of the Mid-Atlantic region, but it also is not prepared for an April 1 start-up date.

In many ways, it’s the same old story. Each state has its own complicated set of circumstances. Change—even when unanimously agreed upon—can be akin to moving a mountain.

The good news is, the steroid ban is coming. It will be even better if racing commissions throughout the country take time and do it right.