Breeder's Cup officially going steroid free...first step?...or not strong enough!!?

Question

This article came out today on Thoroughbred Times. It tells about how the Breeder's Cup Championships (this year at Santa Anita, California) will have steroid testing 2 weeks before the race, the day of the race and after the race. With (one year) suspensions given to trainers caught (along with forfiture of prize).

http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/national-news/2008/August/01/New-Breeders-Cup-policy-bans-steroids-in-all-affiliated-races.aspx

I think it was about time that the US got steroids banned just like most other racing countries. I see this as a wonderful opportunity to really see what these horses can due without a shot of something or a milkshake of something else. But that's my opinion...What do you think?

Also, Lasix wasn't mentioned so that isn't part of the ban. What do you all think...Is this a step in the right direction or should they just ban all raceday meds too?

Answer 1

no doubt its a step in the right direction, all be it a small step!

im dissapointed that lasix wasn't mentioned, its a drug that i feel does more harm than good.

all race clubs from all states, need to colabarate and adopt a national policy on drugs and racing, until that happens owners and trainers will hide out in particular states, that allow these particular drugs!

more needs to be done!

Answer 2

One step at a time! It's definitely a start in the right direction!

Answer 3

Well, it is a good step.  However, it's not that the Breeders Cup is making the rules.  It's not a nationwide US sort of a thing.  It's California.  Since the Breeders Cup is held at Santa Anita, a California track, the horses running there must meet the requirements.

California tends to be one of the leaders in racehorse safety provisions.  California was the first (and so far: only) state to require all of their major tracks (anything with a race meet longer than 4 weeks... thereby exempting the county fairs) to switch to a synthetic surface.  Now, they're among the first states to outlaw the usage of steroids.

It's a great step, but it's not enough until all the other states follow suit.  One of the worst things about US racing is that there's no centralized authority.  Everything in racing depends on the states.  There's no one to force the state to adopt important regulations like outlawing steroids.

It's great that individual states want to take this important step of outlawing steroids, but what the country really needs in a centralized racing authority to outlaw steroids.

And yes, they ought to ban raceday meds too... except I don't actually have any problem with lasix.  Buting a horse on raceday is wrong, even if it is within the "legal limits."  If your horse is unsound enough that you need to give it a pain reliever so that it can run, that horse is unsound enough to sit out the race and recover.  The reason I don't have a problem with lasix is that I've never heard of a horse running through an injury and breaking down because lasix covers an injury... lasix stops bleeding and allows the horse to get air while its running...  there's no recovery or cure for the bleeding, so all you can do is treat it.  It's not like bute that allows you to run the horse to a breakdown.

So steroid ban = good first step, but it would be better if it was nationwide... and even better if it was a nationwide ban of all raceday meds except for lasix.

Answer 4

i live in australia and every winner is tested and random tests are done on most races and been doing it for over 50 years. i agree with you  steroids should be banned in the US. good luck