The California Horse Racing Board will end a grace period on July 31 for the regulation of four commonly used anabolic steroids.

Beginning August 1, complaints will be filed against trainers with alleged violations of threshold levels for boldenone, nandrolone, stanozolol, and testosterone.

The CHRB began testing for the steroids on July 1 and has been issuing unofficial notices for positive test samples. Over the first ten days of testing, 27 of 347 samples exceeded the threshold levels.

The board adopted a regulatory amendment on July 17 that will reclassify the four steroids as Class III prohibited substances. Violations will require purse redistribution and automatic disqualification and could result in suspensions and/or fines for the offending trainer. Those penalties will not be in effect until the California Office of Administrative Law approves the regulatory amendment, probably in time for the Oak Tree at Santa Anita meeting that will include the Breeders’ Cup World Championships.

“We are trying to implement this enforcement regulation in the most logical, timely way,” CHRB Chairman Richard Shapiro said. “We have given notice to the owners, trainers, veterinarians and other track personnel. It is part of the process. The administration of all anabolic steroids to horses in competition must stop immediately. Complaints will be issued. The hammer is coming down. In this way, we are protecting the public and all of those who are playing by the rules.”