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Governor Rendell Commends Pennsylvania Equine Industry's Efforts to End Steroid Use in Race Horses
Governor Rendell Commends Pennsylvania Equine Industry's Efforts to End Steroid Use in Race Horses
Nearly All Horses Tested Were Negative for Anabolic Steroids
HARRISBURG, Pa., March 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Edward G. Rendell today said Pennsylvania is leading the charge to eliminate the use of anabolic steroids in horse and harness racing.
"Pennsylvania's horse and harness racing industries are the backbone of our state's $1.5 billion equine industry," said Governor Rendell. "We are the first state in the region to begin testing for anabolic steroids in racehorses, and we are setting a national standard by ensuring that our racehorses are clean of steroids and any other performance-enhancing substances."
Pennsylvania's Horse and Harness Racing Commissions announced last summer that testing for anabolic steroids would officially begin April 1. Since then, horsemen in Pennsylvania have worked to eliminate steroid use.
The commissions took a snapshot of horses raced over a two-month period that ended Feb. 22 to determine if trainers understood that Pennsylvania's racing regulators were serious about getting steroids out of racing. With 2,061 samples tested, 98.8 percent were negative for anabolic steroids.
Governor Rendell recognized the leadership of Horse Racing Commission Chair Rick Abbott and Harness Racing Commission Chair Roy Wilt in addressing the issue, and commended Pennsylvania's horsemen for their diligent effort.
Anabolic steroids are used to enhance a horse's racing performance by improving its appetite to build muscle mass, promote weight gain, and increase strength and vitality. While many of these functions can be therapeutic for the horse, unfortunately, the use of the steroids has been abused by trainers to give horses a competitive edge on the racetrack.
"We congratulate our state's horsemen who heeded the call of the commissions and are eliminating the use of steroids in racing," said Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff. "Pennsylvanians should know that when a horse wins a race in this state, it's due to good nutrition and genetics combined with the skill of its trainer and jockey or driver.
"We are making great strides in protecting our horses and the image of our equine industry," Wolff said.
Due to the impressive results of the testing, both commissions will perform additional testing in March and will provide trainers with the test results for their information and guidance prior to the April 1 enforcement date.
Sanctions will vary with the levels of detected anabolic steroids. By July 1, any confirmed positive test will result in loss of purse, a $2,500 fine and a 45-day suspension. Penalties for the second violation will be the loss of purse, a $5,000 fine and a 90-day suspension. The third violation would result in a revocation of the racing license.
Pennsylvania is also the first state to base its testing program on blood plasma samples rather than urine samples, allowing for more precise and accurate detection of the steroids. Testing is conducted at the Department of Agriculture's Pennsylvania Equine Toxicology and Research Laboratory in West Chester.
Pennsylvania is home to three thoroughbred racetracks - Penn National Racecourse in Grantville,Philadelphia Park Race Track in Bensalem and Presque Isle Downs in Erie.
Likewise, there are three harness racing tracks in the state - The Meadows Racetrack nearPittsburgh, Harrah's Chester Casino & Racetrack nearPhiladelphia and Pocono Downs Racetrack in Wilkes-Barre. A fourth track, Valley View Downs near New Castle, is scheduled to open in the summer of 2009.
To learn more about Pennsylvania's Horse and Harness Racing commissions, visit www.agriculture.pa.us and click on "Commissions & Councils."
The Rendell administration is committed to creating a first-rate public education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing economic investment to support our communities and businesses. To find out more about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his weekly newsletter, visit www.governor.state.pa.us.
CONTACT:
Teresa Candori
717-783-1116
Jean Kummer, Ag
717-787-5085
SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor
Copyright © 2008, PRNewswire
Copyright © 2008, NewsBlaze,
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